LEARNING AND CULTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
Minutes of a meeting held on 19th June, 2017.
Present: Councillor L. Burnett (Chairman); Councillors Ms. R.M. Birch, B.T. Gray, A. Hampton, N.P. Hodges, M. Lloyd, M.J.G. Morgan, Mrs. J.M. Norman, Ms. S.D. Perkes and Mrs. M. Wright.
Co-opted Members: Dr. C. Brown (Parent Governor – Secondary Sector), Mr. P. Burke (Roman Catholic Church) and Mrs. J. Lynch-Wilson (Parent Governor – Primary Sector).
Also present: Councillor R.A. Penrose (Cabinet Member for Learning and Culture).
64 APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE –
This was received from Mr. N. Want (Vale Youth Forum).
65 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN –
RESOLVED – T H A T Councillor A.D. Hampton be elected Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year.
66 MINUTES –
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 20th March, 2017 be approved as a correct record.
67 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –
No declarations were received.
68 INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING AND CULTURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE –
The Director of Learning and Skills and the Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer conducted a PowerPoint presentation which provided an introduction to the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee. Copies of the presentation were also tabled at the meeting and would be uploaded to the Council’s website.
In beginning the presentation, the Director referred to the Committee’s role and remit and highlighted that the Committee was required to monitor the Corporate Plan Objectives in ensuring that the Council raised overall standards of achievement and valued culture and diversity. The Corporate Plan outcome being an inspirational and culturally vibrant Vale.
The scope and functions within the Committees remit were reported as below:
- Schools
- Pupil support
- School improvement and school support
- Post 16 education and training
- Libraries
- Welsh language
- Arts development
- Community Education and Youth service
- Equalities.
The Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer then provided an overview of the key elements to the Committee meetings and agendas. These included the following areas:
• Availability of agendas
• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of Interest
• Urgent agenda items
• Part II reports
• Types of meetings.
The Committee was provided with an overview of the call-in process, with Members being advised that this was a mechanism used whereby any individual Vale of Glamorgan Councillor could ask for the relevant Scrutiny Committee to review a decision made by the Cabinet. The Committee was advised that the call-in process contained a five day window in which decisions could be called-in and the Committee would need to consider the call-in within 20 days of the request.
Members were also provided with an overview of Requests for Consideration and how members of the public could participate within the scrutiny process. In addition, the Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer also briefly outlined the Committee’s work programme and decision tracking functions.
In referring to the Membership of the Committee including the role of Co-opted Members with voting rights ( as referred to in legislation) and Observers on the Committee a Member queried the position of the appointment of the Welsh Medium Education representative being aware that a recent appointments process had been undertaken. The Democratic Services officer agreed to look into the matter and provide Committee with the up to date position.
The Director in referring to the challenges and issues for the service area covered the following areas:
Sustaining and Improving Services
- Ongoing reduction in local government funding – alternative delivery models required, the need to respond to national priorities, e.g. NEETs and EOTAS driving the need to reshape services: Youth Service and Pupil Referral Unit.
Education Reform and Demonstrating Continued Improvement in Attainment
- Although recognising that the Vale performs comparatively well and the achievement gap was closing there was more to do and the changes to GCSE’s Summer 2017 could result in a fall in attainment.
- Pressure for national improvement in next PISA (What does PISA mean?) Test 2019 incongruent with current focus on L2+ - PISA does not form part of the accountability framework.
- Changes to curriculum and assessment will result in a new baseline being established – potentially making it difficult to demonstrate improvement.
School Reorganisation and Investment
- Establishment of two new mixed sex schools in Barry – the most complex reorganisation to date.
- Excellent Leadership critical to success of the new school.
- Complex transition.
- Need for performance at the existing schools to continue to improve during a period of disruption.
- Band B 21st Century Schools – priorities for investment 2019/20 – 2025/26.
- School Building Conditions.
Funding for Schools - Schools were under considerable financial pressure and funding had exceeded the IBA in each of the last five years. In 2017 the budget was £3m in excess of IBA.
Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Bill
The Bill was to be given Royal Assent at the end of calendar year with a staged implementation over 3 years. However although the age range was 0-25 years there was a lack of clarity over responsibilities. 0-2 years. Also a lack of clarity about Health need and Education need e.g. therapeutic interventions. Health only required to provide provision it agrees is required.
Equalities and Welsh Language
- Improve the data on protected groups – ensure that robust Equality Impact Assessments are done when service changes are made
- Reach and ascertain the views / needs of hard-to-reach groups (e.g. ethnic groups)
- Close the attainment gaps of children in protected groups
- Close the gender pay gap in the Council’s workforce
- Continue with implementing Welsh Language Standards, focusing on the workforce’s ability to provide services in Welsh
- Extend the social use of Welsh in the Vale, working with other organisations (e.g. Menter Bro Morgannwg) and making links with the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.
Overall, the Director stated that things were constantly changing within the service area and there was a need to look at things differently, there was also a need throughout the change process to demonstrate that schools achieved their attainments. The Department aspired to be the best in Wales and benchmarked itself not only across Wales but also across the UK. The gap was closing between FSM and EFSM but more needed to be done. The Director advised Committee that reports would be brought to future meetings regarding performance and the changes to the curriculum assessment. It was also important to note that a new baseline would need to be set as a result of the new assessment arrangements.
In referring to the Barry and Bryn Hafren Schools reorganisation, the Director advised that the joint decision of the recently appointed Governing Bodies had been to appoint an Executive Head ( currently being advertised) to ensure consistency across the two schools and the best outcomes for the two schools. The Total investment cost for the two schools being reported as £44m.
In referring to the departments budget pressures, the Director advised that the £20m additional monies referred to by the Government for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) had not come to Local Authorities and, in particular, there was considerable ring fencing around grants. There was also a lack of clarity in the provision of ALNs with no clarity around who would be responsible for the plans, at the moment it was the Health Service, but the Bill was unclear.
Following consideration of the presentation, a Member asked that any abbreviations/ acronyms be put in full within future reports there being a significant number within the Education service.
In conclusion, the Chairman thanked all officers for the comprehensive presentation noting the challenges facing the service area and urged the Scrutiny Committee to play their part in improving education in the future stating that she looked forward to future meetings and debates.
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the presentation be noted.
Reason for decision
In recognition of the challenges and issues facing the service and the role of Scrutiny.
69 4TH QUARTER SCRUTINY DECISION TRACKING OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROPOSED WORK PROGRAMME SCHEDULE 2017/18 (MD) –
The Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to advise Members of progress in relation to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations and to confirm the work programme schedule for the Scrutiny Committee for 2017/18. Attached at Appendix A was the Committee’s 4th Quarter decision tracking of recommendations for January to March, whilst Appendix B referred to the Committee’s 3rd Quarter decision tracking for October to December 2016. Appendix C to the report contained the Committee’s work programme schedule for 2017/18. The DSSO informed Committee that the work programme schedule provided a breakdown of reports anticipated to be considered by the Committee over the forthcoming months with additions to be included e.g. call-in, Requests for Consideration and reports requested by the Scrutiny Committee, to be reported when available. Members were requested to confirm approval of the Committee’s work programme, it being noted that the schedule was a proposed list of items for consideration and may be subject to change depending upon prevailing circumstances.
In referring to the Schools Performance Panel work of the previous Scrutiny Committee, the Chairman advised that it was important to consider schools’ performance and that the Scrutiny Committee would receive future reports to consider the way forward in the future.
Having fully considered the report, it was subsequently
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A T the recommendations deemed as completed as outlined below be accepted:
|
23 January 2017
|
|
Min. No. 713 – Review of Ty Deri (REF) – Recommended
(2) That the consultant’s report exploring a range of options that could be operated from Ty Deri in a fully costed business case, be presented to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration in due course.
(3) That arrangements be made for the Scrutiny Committee to undertake a site visit at Ty Deri, at an appropriate time, following receipt of the consultant’s report.
|
(2) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(3) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
13 February 2017
|
|
Min. No. 783 – Central South Consortium Contribution to Raising Standards in the Vale of Glamorgan Schools – Recommended
(2) That letters of congratulation on behalf of the Committee be sent to schools identified as Green and those most improved.
(3) That, notwithstanding the letters to be sent to schools agreed at the previous meeting, a letter be also sent to Palmerston School in recognition of the excellent inspection report received.
(4) That the Scrutiny Committee receives a report at a future meeting in respect of the Donaldson Review.
(5) That the Consortium report be referred to Cabinet for consideration and stressing the need to ensure that all schools consider the implications of the Donaldson Report.
|
(2) Letters sent in February / March 2017.
Completed
(3) Letter sent on 23rd February, 2017.
Completed
(4) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(5) Cabinet, on 6th March, 2017, resolved that the contents of the report be noted and it be confirmed that the schools had been advised accordingly of the Donaldson Report and its requirements were being adhered to.
(Min. No. C3484 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 787 – Humanist Representative On The Vale Of Glamorgan Council’s Standing Advisory Council On Religious Education (SACRE) (IDLS) – Recommended that the recommendation of SACRE to decline the application for Humanist representation on SACRE be endorsed and Cabinet be informed accordingly.
|
Cabinet, on 6th March, 2017, resolved that the contents of the report be noted and the recommendations of Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) be endorsed and the application for Humanist representation on SACRE be declined.
(Min. No. C3485 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 789 – 3rd Quarter Scrutiny Decision Tracking of Recommendations and Updated Work Programme Schedule 2016/17 (MD) – Recommended
(2) That the updated work programme shown at Appendix B be approved and uploaded to the Council’s website.
|
Updated work programme uploaded to the Council’s website.
Completed
|
|
20 March 2017
|
|
Min. No. 947 – Reshaping Services – Catering Project (REF) – Recommended
(1) That the resolutions of Cabinet be agreed as outlined within the report and Cabinet informed accordingly.
|
The Committee’s comments had been incorporated into a report from IDT to the next meeting of Cabinet.
On 24th April, 2017, Cabinet resolved –
[1] That the contents of the report, which addresses the issues raised during the on-going consultation relating to the Reshaping Services Catering Project, be noted.
[2] That the proposals contained in the Business Plan (attached at Appendix C of Appendix 1 to the report) to create a Local Authority Trading Company as outlined in the report, be approved.
[3] That subject to resolution two above, the implementation plan as outlined in the report and the proposed creation of a Local Authority Trading Company in Year 3 as referred to in the business plan as set out in Appendix 1 attached to the report, be approved.
[4] That subject to resolutions two and three above, delegated authority be granted to the Director of Learning & Skills, in consultation with the Leader, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Education and Managing Director to:
- Undertake the necessary consultation and engagement activity as described in the report;
- Respond as appropriate to any points raised as part of the engagement and consultation process;
- Report back to Cabinet any material changes to the proposals resulting from the consultation process; and
- Progress the implementation of the proposals following conclusion of all necessary consultation and engagement activity.
[5] That Cabinet receive a further report detailing the progress made following implementation of the first year of the business plan, including progress made against the actions taken; and to take account of any changes required to the underpinning assumptions made as implementation progresses and further the setting out of proposals related to the governance arrangements of the proposed company.
(Min. No. C3547 refers)
Completed
|
|
(2) That following final determination by Cabinet the Committee receives a further report detailing the progress made after the first year of the business plan, including progress against the actions taken, any changes required to the underpinning assumptions and setting out proposals relating to the governance of the company.
(3) That the above recommendations be referred to Cabinet.
|
(2) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(3) See comment at (1) above.
(Min. No. C3547 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 948 – Young Carers: Annual Update Report (REF) – Recommended
(2) That annual updates continue to be presented to the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee for consideration.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 950 – Individual Schools Progress Panel Meeting (MD) – Recommended
(3) That the verbal update presented at the meeting on the work of the Accelerated Improvement Board be noted and that a further report be presented to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.
(4) That the Committee receives an update report as soon as possible following the GCSE results in August 2017.
|
(3) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(4) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 955 – Vale of Glamorgan Well-Being Objectives and Improvement Plan Part 1 (Improvement Objectives 2017/18) (DLS) – Recommended
(1) That Cabinet be informed that the Scrutiny Committee endorsed the proposed approach to discharging the Council’s duties to publish Well-being and Improvement Objectives under the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
(2) That Cabinet be informed that the Scrutiny Committee, endorsed the Corporate Plan Well-being Objectives as the Council’s Well-being Objectives for the purposes of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
(3) That Cabinet be informed that the Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Corporate Plan Well-being Objectives and associated priority actions for 2017/18 as the Council’s Improvement Objectives for 2017/18.
|
(1-3) Scrutiny Committee’s comments forwarded to IDT for inclusion into a report to Cabinet on 3rd April, 2017.
Cabinet, on 3rd April, 2017 noted and accepted the comments and recommendations made by each of the Scrutiny Committees as outlined in paragraphs 21-26 of the report and resolved
[1] That the Corporate Plan Well-being Objectives be endorsed as the Council’s Well-being Objectives for the purposes of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
[2] That the Corporate Plan Well-being Objectives and associated priority actions for 2017/18 be endorsed as the Council’s Improvement Objectives for 2017/18.
(Min. No. C3519 refers)
Completed
|
|
03 October 2016
|
|
Min. No. 407 – Proposal to Establish New Mixed Sex Secondary Schools in Barry (REF) – Recommended That Cabinet be advised that the Scrutiny Committee concurred with the current option proposed and urge progress in respect of the matter.
|
Cabinet, on 31st October, 2016, noted the report.
(Min. No. C3338 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 408 – Review of Individual Schools Progress Meetings (MD) – Recommended
(3) That the Action Plan continues to be monitored and reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee in 12 months' time.
(4) That all reports of School Progress Panel meetings continue to be referred to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration.
(5) That the report and appendices be referred to the Central South Consortium's Managing Director for consideration.
(7) That the report and the above recommendations be referred to Cabinet for consideration.
|
(3) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(4) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(5) Letter sent to CSC on 19th October, 2016.
Completed
(7) Cabinet, on 31st October, 2016, noted the contents of the report and resolved
[2] That Cabinet would request Individual School Progress Panels to convene if they decided it was necessary.
[3] That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education be nominated to sit on the School Progress Panel Review Group and a progress report be presented to Cabinet at a future meeting.
(Min. No. C3339 refers)
Completed
|
|
17 October 2016
|
|
Min. No. 457 – St. Cyres – Budget Recovery Plan 2016/17 – 2020/21 (MD) – Recommended
(3) That the recovery plan continue to be monitored and reported to the Scrutiny Committee as appropriate.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 458 – Schools Balances as at 31st March, 2016 (IDLS) – Recommended
(2) That reports in relation to updated school balances, following the necessary adjustments, and the detail in relation to the schools saving for building schemes be presented to the Committee.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 459 – Revenue and Capital Monitoring for the Period 1st April to 31st August 2016 (IDLS) – Recommended
(2) That an update in relation to the Library Service and the implementation of the establishment of community libraries be presented to the Scrutiny Committee.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 460 – School Performance Report 2015-2016: Foundation Phase and Key Stages 2 – 5 (REF) – Recommended
(1) That a School Progress Panel for Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School be reconvened as soon as practicable, subject to Members’ availability, with the Democratic Services Officer being authorised to source substitute members if required.
(2) That a report in relation to pupils applying / attending Oxford and Cambridge Universities, should the information be available, be presented to the Scrutiny Committee in due course.
|
(1) Panel meeting held on 9th December 2016. Report presented to Scrutiny Committee on 20 March 2017.
(Min. No. 950 refers)
Completed
(2) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 463 – Consultation on Welsh Government Draft Strategy: “A Million Welsh Speakers by 2050” (HDS) – Recommended that the proposed response attached at Appendix B to the report be accepted and referred to Cabinet for consideration together with the comments made at the meeting.
|
Cabinet, on 31st October, 2016, noted the contents of the report and resolved
[2] That the proposed response to Welsh Government’s draft Strategy “A Million Welsh Speakers by 2050” attached at Appendix B to the report be approved and referred to Welsh Government.
(Min. No. C3341 refers)
Completed
|
|
14 November 2016
|
|
Min. No. 525 – Arts Development – Museums Heritage, Arts Venues, Libraries, Creative Industries and Accessible Art (IDLS) – Recommended
(1) That the report be referred to Cabinet for consideration advising that the Committee would support the desire to explore and establish a business plan to explore different delivery models.
|
Cabinet, on 12th December, 2016, noted the contents of the report and resolved
[2] That an option appraisals report on this matter be bought back to Cabinet at a later date.
(Min. No. C3389 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 526 – Welsh Public Library Standards Assessment 2015-2016 (IDLS) – Recommended
(3) That the Scrutiny Committee receives further update reports with regard to any future innovations considered for the Library Service in the Vale of Glamorgan.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 527 – Individual Schools Performance Progress Panel [Barry Comprehensive] (IDLS) – Recommended
(1) That an update report be presented to the Scrutiny Committee as soon as possible following the GCSE results in August 2017.
(3) That the report be referred to the Cabinet for its consideration.
|
(1) Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
(2) Cabinet, on 12th December, 2016, noted the contents of the report.
(Min. No. C3388 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 529 – Summary of School Inspection Reports for Summer Term 2016 (IDLS) – Recommended
(4) That the Chairman, on behalf of the Scrutiny Committee, writes to Ysgol Pen Y Garth, Dinas Powys Primary and Rhws Primary schools, congratulating them on the reports received in respect of current performance and prospects for improvement.
|
Letters sent to schools on 30th December, 2016.
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 530 – 2nd Quarter Scrutiny Decision Tracking of Recommendations and Updated Work Programme Schedule 2016/17 (MD) – Recommended
(2) That the forward work programme attached at Appendix C to the report be approved and uploaded to the Council’s website.
|
Work programme schedule uploaded to the Council’s website.
Completed
|
|
12 December 2016
|
|
Min. No. 603 – Draft Welsh Language Promotion Strategy (REF) – Recommended that Cabinet be informed of the views of the Committee and following the results of the consultation, a further report be presented to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration.
|
On 23rd January, 2017, after presenting this item, the Leader commented that the points raised by the Scrutiny Committee would be considered as part of the consultation process and would be incorporated into a future report to be presented to Cabinet at a later date.
Cabinet, on 23rd January, 2017, noted the contents of the report.
(Min No. C3428 refers)
Completed
|
|
Min. No. 607– Presentation from the Interim Director of Learning and Skills on the Challenges and Issues of the Service Area (Request for Consideration of Matter: Councillor C.P. Franks) – Recommended that the Interim Director of Learning and Skills be thanked for her comprehensive presentation and it be noted that future reports would be presented to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration in due course.
|
Added to work programme schedule.
Completed
|
(2) T H A T the work programme schedule attached at Appendix C to the report be approved and uploaded to the Council’s website.
Reasons for recommendations
(1) To maintain effective tracking of the Committee’s recommendations.
(2) In view of the suggestions made at the meeting and for information.
70 SCHOOLS BUDGET FORUM REPRESENTATION (DLS) –
The report advised that all Councils were required to have a Schools Budget Forum and the Local Authority was required to consult the Schools Budget Forum annually on its schools budget. The Authority had to also consult the Schools Budget Forum on any proposed revisions to its Scheme for Financing Schools and must consult on any proposed changes to the factors and criteria to be taken into account, or the methods, principles and rules to be adopted in relation to its formula for funding schools. The regulations further stipulated that the Schools Budget Forum must also be consulted on Service Level Agreements for the supply of goods and services by the Authority to schools and must consult the Forum at least three months before the date on which the agreement is due to be finalised.
A nomination to sit on the Schools Budget Forum was therefore being sought from the Committee.
The current membership of the Schools Budget Forum was noted as per paragraph 4 of the report and had to have a minimum of 15 members to ensure that the membership of the Forum was not too limited and the interests of schools were properly represented.
Having considered the report, it was subsequently
RECOMMENDED – T H A T Councillor Ms. R.M. Birch be appointed as the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee’s representative on the Schools Budget Forum.
Reason for recommendation
In order that the Schools Budget Forum included a Member of the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee as well as the Cabinet Member.
71 SCHOOLS ADMISSION FORUM REPRESENTATION (DLS) –
Committee was asked to nominate a Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee Member to sit on the Schools Admission Forum. All Councils were required to have a Schools Admission Forum in accordance with Section 85A of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 as amended by Section 46 of the Education Act 2002 and the Education (Admissions Forum) (Wales) Regulations 2003.
The report highlighted that the Schools Admission Fora had a key role in ensuring a fair admission system and must act in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2013. The Schools Admission Forum also had to have a minimum of ten members in order to ensure that the membership of the Forum was not too limited and interests of schools were properly represented.
Having considered the report, it was subsequently
RECOMMENDED – T H A T Councillor A.D. Hampton be appointed as the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee representative on the Schools Admission Forum.
Reason for recommendation
In order that the membership of the Schools Admission Forum included a Member of the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee as well as the Cabinet Member.
72 SUMMARY OF SCHOOL INSPECTION REPORTS FOR SPRING TERM 2017 (DLS) –
The Lead Officer for School Improvement / Senior Challenge Advisor advised the newly formed Committee that in September 2010 the Estyn School Inspection Common Inspection Framework (CIF) had been introduced across all schools in Wales and an overview of the CIF was outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.
The report provided an update for Members on the outcomes of school inspections for the Spring term 2017 and also referred to the outcomes of recent Estyn monitoring activities. The officer further advised that regular reports would be brought to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to any inspections that had taken place and referred to the purpose of inspections as:
- To provide accountability to the users of the services and other stakeholders through public reporting on providers
- To promote improvement in education and training
- To inform the development of national policy by Welsh Government.
The report outlined that the structure of the inspection reports was based on two overall summary judgements, three key questions and ten quality indicators which could be one of four options:
- Excellent – many strengths including significant examples of sector leading practice
- Good – many strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement
- Adequate – strengths outweigh areas for improvement
- Unsatisfactory – important areas for improvement outweigh strengths.
There were three types of follow-up category:
- Estyn monitoring
- Significant improvement
- Special measures.
During the Summer term it was noted that the overall judgements achieved by Vale of Glamorgan schools which were inspected were as follows:
|
|
Current Performance
|
Prospects for Improvement
|
|
St. Nicholas CiW Primary
|
Good
|
Good
|
|
Llantwit Major School
|
Good
|
Good
|
As a result of the inspections no follow up activity was identified.
The officer informed the Committee that Local Authority monitoring had been removed as a follow up category by Estyn from September 2016. However, of note was the fact that at the end of the Spring term 2017, the Vale of Glamorgan had two schools in Local Authority monitoring as a result of inspections prior to the Summer of 2016, these being Rhws Primary and Ysgol Pen y Garth. In providing an update to Members Committee was informed that Ysgol Pen y Garth had recently been removed from Local Authority monitoring and a report was shortly to be presented to Estyn from the Local Authority requesting that Rhws Primary also be removed from Local Authority monitoring. The Local Authority was confident that this would be the case.
The Vale currently had one school, Ysgol Dewi Sant, in Estyn monitoring with schools identified as requiring Estyn monitoring haing their progress reviewed by Estyn inspectors. At the end of the Autumn term the Local Authority had one school requiring significant improvement (Bryn Hafren Comprehensive). As a result of Estyn monitoring, the school and the Local Authority are required to produce action plans which must be sent to Estyn for approval and a re-visit by Estyn inspectors takes place approximately a year after publication of their initial inspection report. Estyn had continued to keep Bryn Hafren in Estyn monitoring as they were waiting the results of the Summer GCSEs before making a further decision. The officer was pleased to inform the Committee that there were no schools in the Vale identified as requiring special measures.
In referring to the inspection reports, the Chairman informed the Committee that it was important to note that Llantwit Major School had received their inspection a week after they had moved into their new school as a result the overall result had been good for current performance and good for prospects for improvement, which she stated was a superb result for the school in view of the considerable upheaval that had taken place.
A Member, in referring to the inspection report for St. Nicholas CiW Primary, stated that the recommendations in the report did not appear to refer to wellbeing. The officer advised that the reference was around attendance, which was put into the wellbeing category.
In referring to the changes in exams for 2017/18, a Member queried how the Scrutiny Committee could judge improvement for Bryn Hafren as a result. The officer advised that once the benchmarking data had been received, this would provide an indication and that the information across Wales would be key.
It was subsequently
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A T the inspection judgements about the schools inspected in the Spring term be noted.
(2) T H A T the judgements made by Estyn in its monitoring activities regarding the progress of schools in addressing inspection recommendations be noted.
(3) T H A T the judgements made by Estyn with regard to schools in Local Authority monitoring be noted.
Reason for recommendations
(1-3) In order that Members were aware of Estyn judgements about local schools.
Following a fire alarm, the Chairman adjourned the meeting and on return, the Chairman confirmed that there being no urgent items under Part 1 or Part II declared the meeting closed.