Minutes:
The Committee scrutinised
the following matters:
Cabinet Board Proposals
3.1 School Term Dates 2019/2020
Members
were provided with information on the School term dates in respect of the
2019/2020 academic Year.
Members
asked what the protocol was for Lollipop ladies if School term dates changed.
Officers highlighted that their term time is pro-rata and their pay would
remain the same.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board
3.2 Strategic School Improvement Programme - Proposal to
Establish Specialist Provision for Primary Age Pupils with Social Emotional and
Behavioural Difficulties
Members received information to consult on the
establishment of specialist provision for primary age pupils with social
emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) at Crynallt
Primary School and at Coedffranc Primary School.
Members welcomed the report and asked whether the
neighbouring authorities are faced with the same pressures. Officers confirmed
that other authorities were having the same pressures.
Members queried how Officers can measure parent’s
involvement and what if parents don’t co-operate. Officers highlighted they
Consent would have to be given for moving any child and if its parents wishes
not to move the child then they don’t move, the decision ultimately stays with
the Parents.
Members queried if the School that the children are
moved from would pass the funding on to the School they are moving to. Officers
highlighted that every School would contribute a little money to cover the cost
of the facilities.
Members queried whether other schools have been
given the same opportunity. Officers highlighted that they asked all Schools
whether they would be interested in having this facility and only two Schools
responded.
Members queried that in the circulated report it
highlights that the skills and expertise that the additional staff members
would possess would be available to be utilised for the benefit of the wider,
mainstream School communities and asked whether there would be extra training
required. Officers highlighted that it would be passed through general
communication and training wouldn’t be required.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board
3.3 The Assessment of Walking Routes to comply
with the
Learner Travel Statutory Provision and Operational
Guidance 2014 - and to approve a Risk Assessment
Matrix
Members received an update on an assessment matrix
for determining the availability of walking routes for learners travelling from
home to school, in accordance with the requirements of the statutory measure.
Members asked if the traffic would be measured over
the busiest parts of the day. Officers highlighted that it would get broken
down in to hourly.**
Members queried whether Welsh Government had seen
the Proposed Matrix. Officers confirmed that they have seen it and were
impressed with it.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board
3.4 Quarterly Performance Management Data 2016-2017 Quarter 4
Performance (1st April 2016– 31st March 2017)
Members were provided with an update on quarter 4
performance management data, complaints and compliments for the period 1st
April 2016 to 31st March 2017 for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning
Directorate.
Members asked why the percentage of the final statements of
special education needs issued within 26 weeks had fallen. Officers clarified
that on occasions additional information is received and therefore takes them
over the 26 week threshold.
Members highlighted that the percentage of pupils
assessed at the end of key stage 3, achieving the core subject indicator is
still positioned low on the ranks. Officers confirmed that they are confident
that the teachers for Neath Port Talbot are assessing pupils work.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.