Agenda item

(a)       That the progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted; and

(b)       That a report to enable the Committee to consider setting up a 6^th Form Education Task & Finish Group be presented to the next meeting.

The Chief Officer introduced a report to give an update on the progress of the School Modernisation Programme.  He provided background information and advised that the projects at both Holywell Learning Campus and Deeside 6^th  had been delivered on time and within budget.  He paid tribute to the work of officers, primary and secondary school staff, school governors, and external contractors  for their hard work and commitment to provide a state of the art learning environment for pupils. The Chief Officer commented on the excellent GCSE and A level results achieved at Ysgol Treffynnon and said that being co-located provided both schools the opportunity to work together on aspects of school improvement and sharing best practice which would have a positive impact on the transition of learners between the phases and would underpin even higher levels of achievement for the future.

The Chief Officer advised that the project at Deeside 6^th had been operational for the start of the new 2016 academic year and referred to the number of pupils on roll as at September 2016 and the courses currently available.   Referring to the Holywell Learning Campus he said that Phase 1 (buildings) was handed over August 2016. Pupils from Holywell High School, Ysgol y Fron Junior School and Ysgol Perth y Terfyn Infants school transferred to the new facility in September 2016.  Phase 2 of the programme, to demolish the old high school building to create outdoor play and sporting facilities for Ysgol Treffynnon, would be completed in February 2017.

The Chief Officer referred to the key considerations as detailed in the report around statutory consultations and proposals and the transition arrangements/meetings with John Summers High School following the Ministerial decision announced in August 2016. He also referred to a report to be considered at the next meeting of Cabinet on 18 October 2016 on modernisation works at Connah’s Quay High School in line with the Ministerial decision on the closure of John Summers High School. The Chief Officer advised that a report was also being  submitted to the meeting of Cabinet for  approval of the capital project to consolidate the current split site primary school buildings in Penyffordd onto one site in the village.

 The Chief Officer reported  that Cabinet had determined the statutory closure of Ysgol Maes Edwin and Ysgol Llanfynydd at its meeting on 19 April 2016.  He explained that transition arrangements have been undertaken at both schools and pupils, parents, and staff are being supported through the process.  Cabinet had also supported the commitment from the Governing Bodies of Ysgol Maes Garmon and Ysgol Mornant to develop and consult on a federation proposal.  The federation would formally commence on 10 November 2016.

The Chair thanked the Chief Officer for the update and invited members to raise questions.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the proposed improvements to Connah’s Quay High School and said  his understanding was that funding provided under the school modernisation strategy could only be utilised for new building projects.  The Chief Officer explained that the 21st Century Programme was focussed on new building and sustainable refurbishment.

Mr. David Hytch referred to paragraph 1.05 of the report and the number of students on roll and asked whether officers envisaged full enrolment in the future to justify the financial investment made.  In his response the Chief Officer explained that the numbers on roll were positive and  in line with expectations for the first annual cohort.  Officers and school colleagues were confident that the number of students on roll would rise year  on year.

Councillor Ian Roberts requested information on which schools 6^th form pupils across Flintshire had previously attended.  The Senior Manager, School Planning and Provision agreed to contact the schools in Flintshire to obtain this information prior to the next meeting.  The Chair welcomed the opportunity to consider the further information and advised that the Committee would be able to continue to track A level results going forward.

Mr. David Hytch raised concerns around the Admission Policy and said he would like assurance that all young people had equal access to achieve higher grades at GCSE or A level.  The Chief Officer agreed to provide a future report on the work being undertaken to improve the advice provided to young people wishing to study their A Levels.

 In response to the further queries and concerns raised by Councillor Mackie around the number of students on roll at the Deeside 6^th the Senior Manager, School Planning and Provision, agreed to provide a breakdown of the information to identify where all sixth form students had previously undertaken their GCSE studies.

Referring to sixth form admission numbers, Mrs Rebecca Stark commented on the need to take into consideration a period of ‘settling in’ for students and suggested that data analysis be captured early next year to identify any changes. 

The Chief Officer suggested that the Committee consider setting up a Task & Finish Group to review all aspects of information collected on 6^th form pupils, in order to gain a clearer picture on progression pathways.  Following discussion it was agreed that the following issues be considered by the Task & Finish Group:-

• Data on the number of 6^th form pupils at the beginning of term and during the middle and end of term;
• Projected numbers for Deeside 6^th at the start of the process;
• Overview of what all 16 years olds decide to do once they have completed their GCSE’s.

 The  Chair suggested that the Committee be updated with information on the original projected student numbers and expectations for Deeside 6^th.  The Chief Officer said that this would could also be carried out by the Task and Finish Group.  The Facilitator advised that a report seeking nominations for membership of the Task and Finish Group would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

Councillor David Williams expressed some initial  concerns around the site identified for the new Penyffordd school.

RESOLVED

(a)       That the progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted; and

(b)       That a report to enable the Committee to consider setting up a 6^th Form Education Task & Finish Group be presented to the next meeting.