Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

·        17^th July 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2025 were approved as accurate records of proceedings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2025 were approved as accurate records of proceedings.

·        There are no items from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme for consideration.

There were no items to consider from the Cabinet Forward Work

Programme.

There were no items to consider from the Cabinet Forward Work

Programme.

Members considered items from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Members considered items from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Officers provided an overview of the report contained in the agenda pack. There have been significant improvements in pupil attendance in both primary and secondary sectors during the 2024–2025 academic year. Although attendance rates remain below pre-covid levels in the majority of schools there continues to be a positive trend. National comparison data is unavailable at present, a further update will be brought back to the committee in the spring term. Officers advise members of difficulties in recruiting Attendance Support Officers, due to uncertainties related to grant funded posts. This issue has been raised by senior officers across Wales to Welsh Government. Officers referenced the positive feedback received from Estyn during the recent inspection in relation to attendance.

Members acknowledged that current data was unavailable at present but expressed an interest in how Neath Port Talbot compared to other local authorities historically.

Officers confirmed that over the previous ten years, Neath Port Talbot attendance figures have been below the national average. During the last year, the secondary sector was placed 15th out of the twenty-two local authorities in Wales and it is hoped that this figure can be maintained and improved. It was noted that in the years immediately following the Covid pandemic, Neath Port Talbot was 21st out of twenty-two local authorities, so, significant progress has been made.

Members welcomed this improvement in attendance figures and extended congratulations to YGG Cwm Nedd on their achievement. Members queried whether best practice was being shared with other schools within the authority?

Officers confirmed that during the last academic year a number of schools had improved attendance rates, during various months of the year. However, at the end of the academic year, only YGG Cwm Nedd achieved sufficient positive attendance to breakthrough the pre-covid figures. Confidence was held that several schools would also achieve pre-covid attendance figures by the end of the academic year. Congratulations were extended to staff and governors at YGG Cwm Nedd, however, it was noted that further progress is achievable. Officers advised members that education services work on a cluster basis and good practice is shared through the Education Welfare Service.

The Head of Education Development advised members that all schools have been asked to make attendance a development plan priority and this has helped the situation; improvements made have been recognised by Estyn.

Members questioned the gap for children receiving free school meals (FSM) and those not in receipt of FSM and children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and those without ALN at YGG Cwm Nedd currently.

Officers advised members; the requested information was not currently available but would be provided to members following the meeting. It was noted that the identified gap was evident prior to the pandemic and work is ongoing with schools to address this. Targeted support is being prioritised, including the appointment of two dedicated Persistent Absenteeism Officers, an approach not commonly adopted by the majority of local authorities in Wales. The introduction of these roles has produced significant benefits in supporting schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5a

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Education Development provided an overview of the report for the 2024-2025 academic year, as contained within the agenda pack. The report highlights trends, reasons for exclusion, alternative support and measures to reduce exclusion rates. It was important to note that there are often a variety of reasons for pupil exclusions.

Officers confirmed that fixed exclusion rates had decreased, and permanent exclusions had decreased significantly which is a testament to the work being undertaken by schools. Welsh Government held a behaviour summit last year and exclusions are recognised as a national challenge, pupil behaviour has changed since children have returned to schools following the pandemic. It was noted that the permanent exclusion rates for female pupils are higher than males for the first time in more than ten years, the reason for this is unknown but work is being undertaken to identify issues and work to address them.

The Head of Education Development reported that the number of permanent exclusions had returned to pre-pandemic levels. Although the figures remain high, ongoing work is being undertaken to address this issue year on year. It was emphasised that permanent exclusions are only used as a last resort.

Members referred to alternatives to permanent exclusions that were mentioned in the report and questioned whether these were available to all schools.

Officers confirmed that, upon receipt of a permanent exclusion notification, discussions are held with the relevant school to explore alternative interventions. These may include the provision of additional support, a managed move, or the implementation of a pastoral support plan, with the aim of avoiding permanent exclusion wherever possible. If withdrawal of the exclusion is not appropriate, there are a number of other alternatives available. Discussions relating to permanent exclusions have been held at the NAASH (Neath and Afan Secondary Headteachers group) to learn lessons and focus direction. One option is for pupils to attend alternative placements which are not classroom based. This has allowed pupils who would have previously received a permanent exclusion to attend an alternative provision where they can gain life skills; feedback from parents in these cases has been extremely positive.

The Head of Education Development advised the committee that work has been undertaken on a pre exclusion model, aimed at preventing pupils from being in the position where an exclusion is a possibility. This pre-exclusion model involves work with families, officers and schools. It was noted that pastoral support teams within schools’ work with families, often providing support behind the scenes. Some families frequently face additional challenges that require targeted assistance. With continued support in this area, it is anticipated that the Not in Employment, Education or Training (Neet) figures will continue to decrease, if young people are given practical skill rather than academic pathways.

Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr. Nia Jenkins complimented the work being undertaken in the Bulldog facility. The young people who attended the provision were able to obtain life skills where previously they had not engaged with education. There had been a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5b

·        There are no performance monitoring items for consideration.

There were no performance monitoring items for consideration.

There were no performance monitoring items for consideration.

·       Cabinet Forward Work Programme

·       Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme

The Forward Work Programme was noted.

Officers referred to the Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programmes contained within the agenda pack, and members were given the opportunity to request further items for consideration.

With the agreement of the Chair the following changes were made to the scrutiny committee forward work programme:

•        Quarter 1 2025 -2026 Corporate Performance Monitoring Report - moved to 16th October 2025

•        Quarter 2 Corporate Performance Monitoring report - moved to 8th January 2026

•        Q3 Corporate Performance Monitoring report removed from 19th February - a future date to be confirmed.

•        Welsh in Education Annual Report -added to the forward work programme for 16th October 2025.

Officers advised members that the following changes had been made to the Cabinet Forward Work Programme:

•        Added - Non-Complaint Direct Award (Local Good Partnership)

•        Removed - Conveyance of School Meals contract (does not require Cabinet approval).

The Forward Work Programme was noted.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to

Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as

amended)

There were no urgent items.

There were no urgent items.