Agenda item

The Committee received the Better Schools, Brighter Prospects Highlight Report for Quarter 1 (April to June 2016), which provided a progress update for one of the six Corporate Improvement Plan objectives which fall within the remit of the Committee, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members were informed that the report provided an overview of the Strategic School Improvement Programme, Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), pupil attainment, attendance, exclusions, safeguarding and Education Regional Working (ERW) partnership. It provided an update on the headlines and highlights over the last 3 months and the work that was currently being undertaken.

In relation to Outcome 1 – we will merge or relocate some schools; increase capacity in others; and continue to build new schools; and to close some others – Members were informed that Ysgol Bae Baglan had been successfully opened. It was noted that there had been a few teething problems, which were to be expected and there would be a full debrief with the Headteacher in due course. The Committee requested to hold a future meeting in the school and invite the Headteacher to the meeting to discuss his experiences of the school opening.

It was noted that the new Melin Primary school that replaced the infants and junior schools had also opened this term. The funding from the Welsh Government for the 3 to 16 school site for Dyffryn had been approved and officers would be requesting permission to consult on proposals shortly. It was highlighted that there had been positive changes to Ysgol Hendrefelin and the physical aspects of the site had been improved. Also the building work on the secondary sectionof Ystalyfera school would be completed in December and following this work on the primary section would commence. Members commented that there were a number of challenges to make Ystalyfera school and the new Welsh school that would be in Sandfields to bring them up to the standards of the new Bae Baglan school.

Members were informed that work continues to support and further develop Welsh language education in schools and the wider community in Neath Port Talbot and the WESP was being implemented. The Committee asked if Welsh speaking families were linked with Welsh speaking Flying Start Programmes. Officers explained that they were trying to ensure Welsh speaking officers worked with Welsh speaking families. Members highlighted that the Welsh Government had set an ambitious target of increasing the number of Welsh speakers to one million people by 2050. It was recognised that to achieve this changes would have to be made at pace and had to start at primary school and pre-school level. This included effective feeding of pupils from Welsh medium primary to Welsh medium secondary schools. It was highlighted that it was not just the Council that had to be proactive but the wider community as well. It was noted that the population in Wales was three million and one million was a big target. Members felt that the target was a national aspiration, however, it was recognised that without additional resources from Welsh Government it would be difficult to achieve.

It was commented that education was wider than just schools; it also included parents and adult learning. Members highlighted that there was good practice in schools that could be shared to help the development of Welsh in the community. An example was given where a school held Welsh classes for parents one morning a week to help them in understanding their children’s homework. Officers noted that it was easier to set up such initiatives in some areas than others as there was a lack of Welsh speaking staff in some wards. It was highlighted that to raise the number of Welsh speaking staff was a longer term aim.

Officers informed Members that in regards to literacy outcomes there had been an improvement in the accuracy of teacher assessments and this year had been the best year for Key Stage 4 results. This was particularly positive when considered in the context of the deprivation levels within Neath Port Talbot. It was highlighted that there had been a lot of work around effectively utilising the Pupil Deprivation Grant and accelerated learning of Free School Meal pupils.

Attendance figures continued to be regularly monitored by the Committee and it was explained that the Education Welfare Officers (EWO) provided a very important service. It was also noted that the EWO team had experienced some sickness, which had caused some difficulties. Members had been told in a previous meeting that there had been a drop in attendance figures in March 2016 due to a lot of illness in schools and this could affect Neath Port Talbot’s national ratings. It was highlighted that the Council needed to re-energise and focus attention in the secondary sector and governors needed to continue to challenge headteachers on this topic. It was noted that there had been an increase in permanent exclusions and the changes to the Education Other Than At School Service would hopefully address this going forward.

Members asked whether or not there had been any prison sentences for parents that had been taken to court for non-attendance and whether the child then attended school after action had been taken. Officers informed them that they did not think there had been any prison sentences in the last academic year and they would check this information and whether court action had improved the attendance of the children involved. It was highlighted that court action was a last resort after all other avenues had been exhausted.

Members asked if outcome 8 – we will provide better support for pupils with behavioural needs - was flagged red status because there was anticipated to be an increase in behavioural needs. Officers explained that the Education Other Than At School service had been restructured and the 2016/17 academic year would be where the changes would really come into effect. There were more resources available to improve performance. Members noted that there was some good practice being undertaken by Communities First Teams and it was asked if officers were aware of these programmes. Officers explained that they were aware of the various support programmes available and worked together where possible and early intervention was a key aspect.

Members highlighted that there were only two pupils with behavioural needs that left compulsory education, training or work based learning without an approved external qualification in 2014/15 and that this was a good achievement. Officers noted that there had been a lot of positive work in this area and two was still too many.

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