Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1/2 - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Charlotte Davies 01639 763745 Email: c.l.davies2@npt.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The following Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the meeting:

 

Councillor. M. Protheroe

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is Vice Chair of Governors at Cefn Saeson comprehensive school

 

Councillor. R.Mizen

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is a Governor of Ysgol Cwm Brombil

Co-opted Member - A.Amore

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is a Parent Governor of Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur.

Councillor D. Whitelock

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is a Governor of Ysgol Cwm Brombil and has a Granddaughter at Ysgol Cwm Brombil.

Councillor S. ap Dafydd

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is a Governor at St. Josephs School and Ysgol Bae Baglan

 

Councillor H.N.James

Re:

Report of the Head of Participation on the Junior Apprenticeship Programme within Neath Port Talbot as he is a Governor at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur.

 

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Minutes:

That the minutes of the previous Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee on the 17 January, 2019 be approved.

 

3.

Embedding The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (uncrc) within Neath Port Talbot Schools. pdf icon PDF 323 KB

Report of the Head of Transformation

Minutes:

Members agreed to defer this item to a future meeting. The reason for deferment was to enable officers to present the report.

 

4.

Junior Apprenticeship Programme in Neath Port Talbot. pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Report of the Head of Participation

Minutes:

 

Members considered a detailed report which outlined the rationale behind the setting up of the Junior Apprenticeship Programme. The report detailed the current provision available and the number of students undertaking apprenticeships.

 

Members expressed their gratitude for the scheme and acknowledged the support that the colleges’ had provided, and the high take up of the scheme from schools. However, Concerns were raised in relation to the communication between the colleges and schools as it was detailed in the report that this had not worked well previously. Officers explained that communication required improvement initially, however there had been a conscious effort to develop this and it was noted that since Christmas communication had improved radically.

 

The committee queried how pupils were selected to be a part of the Junior Apprentice Scheme. Officers informed the committee that discussions would take place within the schools.

 

Members asked would there have be an opportunity for pupils to join the scheme if vacancies were available due to other pupils leaving the scheme. Officers explained that the school would be aware of vacancies to provide those opportunities; however if a pupil had left the scheme half way through the term it would be difficult for another pupil to join and catch up.

 

Members questioned what the process would be in supporting pupils that had withdrawn from the Junior Apprentice Scheme early. The Cabinet Member reminded the committee that the pupils were still under the school’s responsibility, therefore the schools still have a duty.

 

Officers informed the Committee that there was a Curriculum Conference on 14 March, 2019 at 4.00pm in Ysgol Gymreag Ystalyfera Bro Dur.

 

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.           

 

 

 

 

5.

Pre-Scrutiny

Minutes:

The committee scrutinised the following matters:-

 

Cabinet Board Proposals

 

5.1     School Terms and Holiday Dates 2021/2022

 

The Committee considered a detailed report on consulting on the proposed school term dates in respect of the 2021/2022 academic year.

 

The Committee questioned whether the school term dates were uniformed across Wales. Officers informed Members that they were working closely with other authorities to achieve this. However, it was noted that it was difficult to align the term dates with Powys County Council due to the Royal Welsh Show. Officers informed Members that they would provide them with a definitive answer after the consultation.

 

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.

 

5.2     Quarterly Performance Management Data 2018-2019 - Quarter 3 Performance (1st April 2018 - 31st December 2018)

 

Members received the quarter 3 performance management data, complaints and compliments for the period 1st April 2018 to 31st December 2018 for the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate.

 

It was queried whether there had not been a target set for the performance indicator relating to the percentage of pupils assessed in Welsh at the end of foundation phase. Officers confirmed that they would get the information to Members outside of the meeting.

 

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted

           

 

6.

Forward Work Programme 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2019/20.