Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] 26 July 2010

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

Estyn Inspection on the Quality of Local Authority Education Services for Children and Young People - Post Inspection Action Plan

Purpose of the Report

1.             To advise Members of the post inspection action plan drawn up in response to the Estyn Inspection undertaken in March 2010 on the quality of Local Authority education services for children and young people.

Recommendation

That Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) consider the draft action plan and recommends any changes or additions to the actions detailed.

Reason for the Recommendation

The Learning and Development Directorate is able to proceed with addressing the recommendations made in the Estyn inspection report.

Background

2.             The inspection was undertaken in March 2010 and Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] were involved in the preparation for the inspection and the work of the Committee was included in the inspection.

3.             The inspection report was considered by the Committee on the 28 June 2010 and it was requested that the draft action plan be reported to a future meeting of the Committee.

Relevant Issues and Options

4.             The inspection report was extremely positive about the quality of education services for children and young people provided by the Local Authority.   The Authority was judged to be good overall and with good prospects for improvement.

5.             Five recommendations were made in order to improve services and these are detailed below;

-      Improve the rigour of challenge and target setting, particularly in the secondary phase.

-      Strategically plan additional learning needs (ALN) and inclusion provision and the resources to support this by consistently using information on the outcomes for learners well

-      Improve standards and curriculum opportunities for all vulnerable pupils and in particular pupils with in the Pupil Referral Units (PRU)

-      Develop and agree a strategy for 21st Century Schools with all stakeholders

-      Clarify funding arrangements and the respective roles and responsibilities of schools and individual services in order to provide better assurance of value for money.

6.             These recommendations provide the structure for the draft action plan which is attached as Appendix 1.  The action plan includes a range of activities which will be delivered across the Directorate and identifies the lead officer and how that activity links to Education 2015 and the Corporate Plan 2010-14.

7.             The Action Plan will be presented to Cabinet in September for approval and actions will be incorporated into Service Plans for 2011/12. Progress will be monitored as part of the performance management arrangements within the Directorate with quarterly updates at Education Management Team and updates to Committee as part of the service plan progress monitoring. In addition the Education Services Management Board will continue to ensure that the recommendations are addressed.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

8.             The action plan will be delivered within the existing resources of the Learning and Development Directorate.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

9.             There are no legal implications to this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

10.        None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

11.        The action plan addresses the needs of all pupils with particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable learners and those attending the PRU.

Corporate/Service Objectives

12.        The action plan is consistent with priorities within Education 2015 and improvement objectives within the Corporate Plan.

Policy Framework and Budget

13.        This is a matter which falls within the existing policy framework and budget.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

14.        Corporate Management Team.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

15.        Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

A report on the quality of Local Authority education services for children and young people - Estyn March 2010

Contact Officer

Bryan Jeffreys - Director of Learning and Development

Officers Consulted

Paula Ham - Head of Strategic Planning and Performance

Lynette Jones - Head of School Improvement

Caroline Rees - Head of Additional Learning Needs

Corporate Management Team

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys - Director of Learning and Development