Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Education presented the draft 2012 self-evaluation of Local Authority Education Services for Children and Young People. He explained the purpose and process of the self-evaluation as detailed in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Education commented that Flintshire continued to be one of the highest performing Local Authorities in Wales on indicators at Key Stages 3 and 4. He also commented on a number of other areas where improvements continued to be made, such as, school attendance and education opportunities for young people. He outlined areas where improvement was needed and said that the self-evaluation would assist Members, Head teachers and governing bodies in concentrating on areas where improvement was most needed.

The Director of Lifelong Learning highlighted further improvements, such as, the outcome performance for secondary school pupils which were amongst the highest across Wales. He also said that Flintshire had been recognised as improving the number of Members overseeing school improvements in individual schools.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report and commented on the school bandings which had been published, showing positive results for schools in Flintshire. He said that it was important that the Council focused its attention on the areas where improvement was needed and welcomed the Cabinet Member for Education’s comments on this. He also referred to earlier discussions and again highlighted the increased budget proposals for education.

The Chief Executive welcomed Cabinet Members’ comments and highlighted the strong working relationship between the local authority and individual schools across Flintshire. Flintshire was an education authority which showed its capability to support and achieve performance and improvement.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be approved;

(b)       That the Chief Executive and Director of Lifelong Learning, via consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education be authorised to finalise and submit the self-evaluation document.