Agenda Item No

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

 

Implementation of the Foundation Phase in Vale of Glamorgan Schools

 

Purpose of the Report

1.    To bring to the attention of the Scrutiny Committee for Lifelong Learning the position in respect of the roll-out of the Foundation Phase in schools in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Recommendations

1.    Scrutiny Members support the implementation of the Foundation Phase initiative.

2.    Scrutiny Members request a further report (April 2010), on the completion of the second phase of training for the Foundation Phase.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1.    Members are apprised of the National developments in relation to the implementation of the Foundation Phase.

2.    To receive a further report on the progress of training for practitioners working in the Foundation Phase.

Background

2.    Provision for Early Years Education in the Vale is organised as follows:-

·      12 playgroups

·      3 nursery schools (Bute Cottage, Cadoxton Nursery, Cogan Nursery)

·      32 Nursery classes in Infant/Primary schools

·      Foundation Phase Pilot settings:  Holton Primary

·      Early Start settings:  Cadoxton Nursery and Cadoxton Primary

 

3.    The Foundation Phase Framework for Children’s Learning for 3 to 7 year olds in Wales sets out the curriculum and outcomes for 3 to 7 year olds.

4.    The statutory Areas of Learning in the Foundation Phase are:

·      Personal and Social Development, Well-Being and Cultural Diversity;

·      Language, Literacy and Communication Skills;

·      Mathematical Development;

·      Welsh Language Development;

·      Knowledge and Understanding of the World;

·      Physical Development;

·      Creative Development.

5.    The Foundation Phase became a statutory requirement for all 3 to 4 year olds in Nursery settings, nursery classes in primary schools and non-maintained settings (playgroups), in September 2008.  The recommended adult: pupil ratio is 1:8 although this is not a statutory requirement.

6.    The Foundation Phase will become a statutory requirement for all 4 to 5 year olds (Reception classes) in September 2009.  Again, the recommended adult to pupil ratio will be 1:8 for 3 to 5 year olds, but this will not be a statutory requirement.  The Foundation Phase will become a statutory requirement for pupils in Year 1 in 2010 and pupils in Year 2 in 2011.  The recommended adult to pupil ratio will be 1:15 in these classes; again this is a recommendation and will not be a statutory requirement.

7.    Mr Jon N Hawkins, Head of Early Years Education and Safeguards at the Welsh Assembly Government in his letter dated 13th March 2008, stated that, ‘We view the implementation of the Foundation Phase as a 4 year developmental process.  Accordingly the grant should be used to appoint additional classroom support assistants which, when added to existing staffing levels, will enable schools to achieve, or to work towards achieving the Foundation Phase ratios.’

8.    Foundation Phase Grants have been provided by the Welsh Assembly Government to help schools employ additional adults to enhance the schools’ existing staffing provision in preparation for the roll out.

9.    Grant funding has also been provided to implement a national training programme for all practitioners working with 3 to 5 year olds, that is, all teachers, learning support assistants and playgroup leaders and assistants.

10.  Grant funding has enabled the Learning and Development Directorate to employ additional personnel to deliver the training and support to the non-maintained settings, ie. an associate adviser for the non-maintained settings (to deliver 10% support time to each playgroup) and an Early Learning Co-ordinator on a part-time basis.

11.  Grant funding has also been used to establish Early Start and Pilot Settings and also to help schools modify their buildings to allow access to the outdoors.

Relevant Issues and Option

12.  For each Area of Learning, the educational programme sets out what children should be taught and the outcomes set out the expected standards of children’s performance.

13.  The Welsh Assembly Government’s approach to education and lifelong learning is set in the broader context of our vision for children and young people overall.

14.  We have seven core aims for children and young people developed from the United Convention on the Rights of the Child.  These underpin the educational programme within the Foundation Phase.

15.  The Foundation Phase aims to encompass the developmental needs of children.  At the centre of the framework lies the holistic development of children and their skills across the curriculum, building on their previous learning experiences, knowledge and skills.

16.  The Foundation Phase curriculum promotes equality of opportunity and values, and celebrates diversity.  Positive partnerships with the home are fostered and an appreciation of parents/carers as the children’s first educators is acknowledged.

17.  Children learn through first hand experiential activities with the serious business of ‘play’ providing the vehicle.  Through their play, children practice and consolidate their learning, play with ideas, experiment, take risks, solve problems and make decisions individually, in small and large groups.  First hand experiences, allow children to develop an understanding of themselves and the world in which they live.

18.  The development of children’s self-image and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem are at the core of this phase.  The Foundation Phase curriculum is planned as a progressive framework that spans four years (3 to 7) to meet the diverse needs of all children, including those who are at an earlier stage of development and those who are most able.

19.  Throughout their formative years, children’s learning develops more rapidly than at any other time.  However, progress is not even and children go through periods of rapid development and times when they seem to regress.  A curriculum for young children should be appropriate to their stage of learning rather than focusing solely on age-related outcomes to be achieved.

20.  The Foundation Phase also aims to promote  discovery and independence and a greater emphasis on using the outdoor environment as a resource for learning.

21.  Educational provision for young children should be holistic with the child at the heart of any planned curriculum.  It is about practitioners understanding, inspiring and challenging children’s potential for learning.

22.  There must be a balance between structured learning through child-initiated activities and those directed by practitioners.  A well planned curriculum gives children the opportunities to be creatively involved in their own learning.  Active learning enhances and extends children’s development.

23.  Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Welsh Assembly government’s overarching strategy document Rights to Action, all children and young people must be provided with an education that develops their personality and talents to the full.  The Education Act of 2002 further strengthens schools’ duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

24.  The Foundation Phase Grant is 100% funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.  No match funding is required.

GRANT SUMMARY:
	FY 08/09	FY 09/10
Classroom Support Assistants	894,360	2,114,175
Training	71,140	71,140
10% for non-maintained	59,500	59,500
Training Officer	40,000	40,000
Early Start	109,616	96,671
Pilot School	167,720	108,335
TOTAL	1,342,336	2,489,821

 

25.  Funding to employ additional staff (Learning Support Assistants LSAs)

 

·      Schools in the Vale will receive £2,114,175 (FY 09/10) funding from the Foundation Phase Grant to implement the recommended adult to pupil ratios, as aforementioned.

·      Predictions indicate that funding will effectively employ 162.6 classroom assistants, 31.5 of these will be additional appointments from the start of the 09/10 school year.

·      The average local authority adult to pupil ratio for 3 to 4 year olds from the start of the 09/10 school year will be 1:8.  The average local authority adult to pupil ratio for 4 to 5 year olds from the start of the 09/10 school year will be mostly 1:8.

·       Out of the 49 schools in the Vale which have received additional funding, 17 schools predict an adult to pupil ratio of between 1:9 and 1:12 for the start of the school year 09/10 in classes for 4 to 5 year olds.  All Nursery classes (except 2) have already achieved the 1:8 ratio.  The Directorate intends to work closely with these schools in order to help them achieve the recommended ratios.

26.    Funding to provide training

·        The Welsh Assembly Government have compiled a national training package to be delivered locally to all practitioners, ie. teachers, support assistants and playgroup leaders working with 3 to 5 year olds.  Repeat courses (Catch all sessions), will be delivered in June and July 2009 for new recruits and staff unable to attend earlier sessions.

·        All training has been free with supply cover costs paid for by the Local Authority (LA).

·        In the Vale of Glamorgan the following number of practitioners have been trained:

	Autumn 2008		Spring 2009	Summer 2009 (predictions June 2009)
Modules	Child Development	Experiential Learning	Observation, Recording and Reporting	Additional Learning Needs
Teachers	E = 29 W = 5	E = 17 W = 2	E = 30 W = 10	Y1 + N+R staff
LSAs	E = 63 W = 15	E = 63 W = 8	E = 42 W = 2
Playgroups	E = 8	E = 8	E = 11
Total	120	98	95	175

 

Total staff trained = 488

 

27.    New Modules planned for Summer and Autumn Term 2009 = predicted additional 447 staff trained.

28.    Additional training modules planned for 09/10 include:

·        Outdoor learning

·        Leadership for learning

·        Transition

 

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

29.     The seven core aims for children and young people developed from the United Convention on the Rights of the Child, underpin the educational programme within the Foundation Phase.

30.     Seven Core Aims being:

·         A flying start in life

·         A comprehensive range of education, training and learning opportunities

·         The best possible health, free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation

·         Access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities

·         Children and young people are treated with respect and have their race and cultural identity recognised

·         A safe home and community that supports physical and emotional wellbeing

·         Children and young people not disadvantaged by poverty

Crime and Disorder Implications

31.      None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

32.      The requirement to develop pupils' bilingual competencies is a core feature of the Foundation Phase.

Corporate/Service Objectives

33.      The development of the Foundation Phase will assist the Council in meeting actions outlined in the Corporate Plan and Directorate Service Plans.

Policy Framework and Budget

34.      This matter is for Executive decision by the Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

35.      No consultation necessary at this stage.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

36.      Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

Welsh Assembly Government Guidance: Framework for Children's Learning 3 to 7 year olds in Wales.

Contact Officer

Lynette Jones, Head of Achievement

Officers Consulted

Foundation Phase Advisers in the Vale School Improvement Service (V-SIS)

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys

Director of Learning & Development