Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 19 January, and 2 February 2017.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

(i)         The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 January 2017 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

(ii)        The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 February 2017 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

Matters arising

Referring to the resolution under item 54 of the minutes, the Facilitator confirmed that a letter had been sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, and that she would send a copy to the Committee for information.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

(a)       That the update on the school improvement service joint arrangement (GwE) and that Flintshire’s priorities and objectives within the GwE Business Plan be noted; and

(b)       That the development and delivery of the GwE integrated core Challenge and Support Programme and the Development Programme be noted.

The Senior Manager School Improvement introduced the report to inform the Committee of progress with the development of the Regional School Effectiveness and Improvement  Service (GwE).   She introduced Vicky Barlow, Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE), and David Edwards, Assistant Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE), and invited them to present the report.  

                        The Assistant Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE) provided background information and referred to the two key elements of the Service Level Agreement  between GwE and local authorities which were the Challenge and Support Programme to all schools, designed to ensure a clear and unambiguous focus on improving school performance and outcomes for learners through a model of ‘supportive challenge and challenging support’  via regular visits to school by GwE Challenge Advisers, and the GwE Development Programme to promote and facilitate the professional development of all practitioners to ensure the highest standards of teaching and leadership to underpin a self-improving system, which secures the highest outcomes for learners. 

The Assistant Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE) referred to the main considerations which were detailed in the report and advised that the over-arching priority of (GwE) was to secure improved outcomes for learners across the region al all key stages.  He reported that the main focus for improvement at the current time was to improve the percentage of key stage 4 pupils who achieved the Level2+ indicator (5 GCSE passes A* to C including English/Welsh and Mathematics).  He explained that progress towards this improvement priority was being robustly monitored by GwE and that Challenge Advisers had undertaken a focused visit to all secondary schools during the Spring term to carry out a review of the school’s progress in meeting their L2+ targets.  

The Assistant Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE)  explained that all schools in Flintshire were being actively encouraged to access the Development Programme offered by GwE which aimed to provide quality professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.  The number of conferences and training courses offered by GwE continued to be expanded and the development of bespoke leadership programmes extended.

Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the importance of maintaining continuity of the Challenge Advisors in schools and commented on the additional pressures on schools who experienced frequent changes in the Challenge Advisors they worked with.    The Assistant Senior Challenge and Support Adviser (GwE) acknowledged the point and explained that GwE would try to ensure continuity where possible but some changes were beyond its control and referred to the secondment of some advisers as an example.  He commented that whilst continuity was important there was also a benefit to be gained from a “fresh pair of eyes” working with schools to provide the support and challenge needed. 

Councillor Dave Mackie expressed concerns around the progress which had been achieved in schools since the introduction of GwE which he felt was not as good as expected.  He cited  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

That the report be noted.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced the report on the self-evaluation of Education Services to enable Members to fulfil their role in relation to the performance monitoring if education services.  He provided background information  and explained that a copy of the current self-evaluation was  appended to the report for consideration and referred to the current performance and recommendations outlined on pages 88 and 89 of the document. 

The Chief Officer reported on the current position and referring to the  Primary school categorisation he advised that the position was particularly positive, however, the Secondary sector was managing to maintain its position and further work was required at Key Stage 4.  The Chief Officer commented on the work to be undertaken with GwE in terms of the Secondary Challenge and Support Programme Model for 2017, and the work undertaken to identify young people at an early stage to make sure they receive the appropriate advised and guidance around apprenticeships, sixth form education, college and work.

David Hytch raised a number of concerns and referred to unauthorised absence, and difficulty in recruiting and attracting leaders to senior roles in schools.  In his response the Chief Officer said he was confident that there was capacity within the teaching profession and commented on the need for recognition and encouragement  in the development of people during difficult times.  He commented on the need to develop opportunities which would enable people to progress though school leadership to take schools forward. 

Councillor Chris Bithell commented on the positive achievements in the Service and referred to the support for additional learning needs and social inclusion which was good, and the level of performance at KS3 in Secondary schools which was also good.  He referred to the work being undertaken to reduce the gap between FSM and non-FSM pupils to achieve improved outcomes for FSM pupils, the progress achieved in the school modernisation programme, and the reduction in the number of overall school places.

Rebecca Stark commended the Authority, the Chief Officer and his team, on the performance of schools and the continued strive for excellence throughout the prolonged period of financial austerity faced by the Authority.  She expressed the view that there was a need for a period of stability to enable schools to absorb the many changes that had taken place across the curriculum.

In response to the comments made by David Hytch around the need to develop a ‘workforce’ for the  provision of education in the future, the Chief Officer commented on a media campaign in Wales to encourage young people to consider the career opportunities available through the teaching profession.  

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

That the Committee supports the progress made under Quarter 3 of the Improvement Plan for the ‘Skills and Learning’ priority

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report to present the monitoring of progress for the third quarter of the Improvement Plan 2016/17  priority ‘Skills and Learning’ relevant to the Committee.  He advised that it was a positive report and referred to progress against agreed actions, as detailed in the report, and the two major risk areas concerning the number of school places not matching changing demographics and the limited funding to address the backlog of known repair and maintenance work in Education and Youth assets.

In response to the concerns raised by David Hytch around the repair and maintenance work needed in Education and Youth assets, the Chief Officer explained that the backlog of work had reduced considerably as a result of the continued school modernisation programme and the 21^st Century Schools Programme, however, although progress had been achieved there was a risk that this could not be maintained in the future. 

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the progress made under Quarter 3 of the Improvement Plan for the ‘Skills and Learning’ priority

There was one member of the public and no members of the press in attendance

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