Minutes:
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:
2.1 Welsh in Education Strategic Plan
Members received information on the draft Neath
Port Talbot Welsh in Education Strategic Plan WESP) 2017/2020 as detailed in appendix
to the circulated report, following re-consultation and for Cabinet Board to
commend to Council.
Members highlighted that the Welsh Governments aim
of achieving a million Welsh Speakers by 2050 is ambitious and asked whether
the officers were confident in the Primary Sector reaching the standards of the
Welsh Government. Officers explained that the Welsh Language Strategy would be
key at looking in to this.
Members asked whether the Parental Survey for Coed Darcy had been produced in a form of a letter.
Officers confirmed that it had not yet been configured.
Members highlighted to officers that there is no
education in the Medium of Welsh in the Afan Valleys
and asked officers to include in the broader strategy to explore schools taught
through the Medium of Welsh in the Afan Valleys.
Members highlighted that Children being educated
through the medium of Welsh is not just within school, it also can be done at
home and queried how parents and guardians can have help and support for this.
Officers highlighted that they are currently working with Mentair
Iaith and would want the the
background and culture of welsh to be taught to make it more appealing. It was
noted that there will be a pop up shop in Port Talbot Swansea University
opening soon which would be of interest to parents and adults.
Members commended the comment on having Welsh
Language being taught in a more appealing way and asked if there was any
flexibility on the curriculum. Officers mentioned that there is flexibility and
may increase with models going forward, however, it takes confidence and
therefore would need to consider training for staff.
Members asked how officers will aim to reach the
action ‘increasing current take up of pre-school Welsh Medium provision by 100%
during the lifetime of the plan’ as detailed on page 24 of the circulated
report. Officers said that they would look to work with Flying Start and Cylch, look at where the current demand is for Pre School
and look at decisions to meet that demand.
Members asked that with the new School coming to
the county there will be a surge interest for welsh Medium School in the Afan Valley. Officers highlighted that they are aware of
pupils crossing the border to go to Ysgol Maesteg and would look in to this.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that Cabinet
Board be asked to consider the following recommendations:
That having given due regard to the responses to
the consultation and the impact assessments in relation to equality risk, Welsh
Language, legal and workforce. Approval be granted for the Welsh in Education
Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 to be commended to Council for approval prior to
submission to the Welsh Government and for implementation on the 1 April 2018
subject to the inclusion that exploration is undertaken into the use of Starter
classes in English Medium Schools as a measure to increase Welsh Medium
Education.
2.2 Annual Pupil Performance
Members were provided with a summary of the
Performance of Neath port Talbot Schools and its pupils during 2016/17.
Members asked officers if they have a broader
movement of Pupils. Officers confirmed that, that would be included in the
admissions policy.
Members commended that Schools celebrate that
children receive a GCSE and not if they have Grade’s A/B or C, as all grades
equal a GCSE.
Members queried why Key stage 4 level 2 had dropped
from 1st to 14th over the last 5 years. Officers highlighted that there had
been major changes to exams and qualifications with limited support from WG to
our schools.
Members asked for a breakdown of the data for each
school. Officers confirmed this could be done through a workshop session.
Officers highlighted to the members of this
committee that they are invited to attend the School Standards Partnership
Group to engage with the presentations that are delivered by each School.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
2.3 Pupil Attendance Update
Members were provided with information and data in
relation to Neath Port Talbot Pupil attendance covering the 2017/18 academic
year to date.
Members queried whether the data caters for
sickness bugs that may affect pupil attendance. Officers highlighted that there
was a sickness bug that affected numerous schools in December 2016 and that
every illness will effect figures.
Members asked whether the authority can encourage
good attendance by offering rewards. Officers confirmed that some schools do
offer awards for good attendance however would raise it in a Senior Management
team meeting and inform members of the discussion.
Members queried whether the traveller unit affected
the attendance percentage in Llansawel Primary
School. Officers highlighted that it did affect the figures slightly, however,
as there are a small number of children if 1 or 2 children are off sick for a
week it really affects their figures.
Members asked how Rhyd-y-fro Primary School had such a high percentage. Officers
confirmed that their attendance had decreased significantly the autumn before
which has shown an increase this year.
The Cabinet Member for Education highlighted to
Members to make Attendance the top of their discussions to improve attendance.
Members queried that some parents take their
children abroad for cultural and education reasons and asked do schools take
this in to consideration. Officers confirmed that it is the Head Teachers
discretion on each Childs own merit for absence.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.