Minutes:
The
committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
6.1 School term dates 2020/2021
Members received information on the proposed school
term dates in respect of the 2020/2021 academic year.
Members asked whether common school holiday periods
can be co-ordinated across Wales, Officers highlighted that they are trying to
co-ordinate locally, however not co-ordinating for the whole of wales
currently.
Members raised concern that the School term dates
are agreed by the ERW consortium and that the council has no input. Officers
informed members that they meet with the ERW consortium to discuss the school
term dates, which are then given to the Governing Body to discuss and then
brought back.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board
6.2 Admission to Community Schools 2019/2020
(Cllr.R.L.Taylor
re-affirmed her interest at this point and withdrew for this item only)
(M.Caddick re-affirmed
her interest at this point and withdrew for this item only)
(A.Amor re-affirmed his
interest at this point and withdrew for this item only)
Members
received information on the admission arrangements for community schools in
relation to the 2019/2020 academic year.
Members
asked whether there had been any changes from it previously being reported.
Officer confirmed that there were no changes. Members therefore requested that
officers put a headline in the report making it clear if there are any changes.
Members
asked what the admission figures were in appendix 6. Officers highlighted that
the admission number is the capacity.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
6.3 Adult Community Learning Service in Neath Port Talbot
Members
were informed on the progress of the Adult Community Learning Service in Neath
Port Talbot.
Members
requested the link for the Adult Community Learning service website to be sent
to the committee members.
Members
commended the officers on the work they are achieving.
Members
asked the officers how it is decided which courses are put on offer for the
public. Officers highlighted that they offer courses that ae in demand and what
the public have requested.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be
noted.
6.4 School Improvement Performance, Priorities and Capacity
Members
were provided with an update on school improvement performance, challenge
adviser capacity within the school improvement service and progress against the
business plan.
Members
asked why schools are now entitled to a minimum of three core support visits
rather than two. Officers highlighted that it was re-branded to provide more
support, however it has caused capacity issues. It was noted from members that
these sound compulsory even though they are optional.
Members
had queries around training. Officers highlighted that Head teachers are
responsible for training and the council would provide support.
Members
highlighted that the Council had a good inspection from Estyn and commended the
officers for their support.
Officers
highlighted that if a school went in to special measures, then the council
would provide a lot of support for that school including support for the teachers.
It was noted that if a school was in special measures it doesn’t necessarily
mean a school isn’t doing well it is what Estyn recommends.
Members
asked how do offices measure the risks of schools potentially going in to special
measures. Officers highlighted that there is a system to identify if schools
are slipping in to a red zone and then it is monitored.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be
noted.