Agenda item

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator prepare a letter from the Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, to request additional resources into schools in Wales in order to achieve the significant aims being set and to reflect the issues raised by the Committee.

The Senior Manager (School Improvement Systems) presented a report on the availability of suitably skilled personnel to positions in schools and the challenges in recruiting to vacant posts.  She provided an overview of the findings of the report which showed local and national trends such as increasing pupil numbers, class sizes and challenges in recruiting to Head Teacher posts.  Informal feedback shared by a small number of schools across Flintshire highlighted difficulties in the recruitment of specialist teachers in core subjects such as science in secondary schools and also support staff in primary schools.

Councillor Dave Mackie felt that short lead-in times to accommodate curriculum changes were a particular issue for teachers and asked if Challenge Advisors were providing adequate support to alleviate stress on teaching staff.  He added that curriculum changes in Wales were a factor in many newly qualified teachers opting to work in England and that teacher pay scales should be appropriate.

Mr. David Hÿtch spoke about the implications of the Donaldson review and stressed the importance of a measured approach to introducing curriculum changes.  In highlighting a number of areas in the data reported for Flintshire schools, he raised concerns about the significant proportion of costs claimed by agencies in engaging temporary teaching staff.  In noting the sickness absence levels for full-time teachers, he pointed out the negative effect of increased workload upon work/life balance.

Mrs. Rebecca Stark said that many issues were beyond the authority’s control and that more action was needed by Welsh Government to sustain those in the teaching profession.  Whilst noting the issues on the recruitment of Welsh teachers in response to the new GCSE requirements, she felt that a greater balance was needed in considering other much-needed languages.

The Chairman referred to the challenges in teacher retention, particularly in Wales, and said that more investment was needed in standards to encourage greater use of the Welsh language.  He also raised concerns about the lack of male teachers applying for posts in the primary sector, particular in junior schools which he felt should be addressed at national level.  He highlighted the importance of education for this particular age group where there were no limitations on class sizes and said that the lack of middle management in junior schools also had a bearing on workload.

The Senior Manager agreed that the lack of male applicants in the primary sector was disappointing and could be due to a number of reasons.

The Chairman proposed that a letter to the Minister be prepared on behalf of the Committee to request additional resources into schools in Wales in order to achieve the significant aims being set.  He asked that the issues raised be reflected in the letter and that it be circulated for additional comments prior to sending.

Councillor Nancy Matthews asked that the letter include concerns about the approach to dealing with class sizes in excess of the regulations for Foundation Phase.

In response to a suggestion by Mrs. Stark, the Senior Manager agreed to email those schools which had responded to the request for feedback to thank them on behalf of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator prepare a letter from the Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, to request additional resources into schools in Wales in order to achieve the significant aims being set and to reflect the issues raised by the Committee.