Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence received from Michelle Symonds (Co-optee).

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No declarations of interest were made.

To meet with the Head teachers of Heolgerrig Community School and Trelewis Primary School.

The Chair welcomed Anna Morgan (Headteacher) and Glyn Mahoney (Chair of Governors) at Heolgerrig Community School.  

Anna Morgan took the Committee through the good progress and improvements made at Heolgerrig School and the presentation covered the following areas:

·         Introduction to Heolgerrig Community School.

·         Heolgerrig Community School being put into Special Measures in 2012.

·         The path to improvement in 2013.

.

·         A breakdown of the successful Inspection in 2017.

·         Rapid identification of needs and securing an accurate baseline.

·         Key successes identified in the case study in relation to reading and attendance.

·         What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards.

·         Securing improvements beyond special measures.

Anna Morgan and officers of the Authority provided advice and background information in relation to questions from the Committee. 

Claire Brown and Alan Rees (Co-optees) left the meeting at 5.10 pm. 

The Chair then welcomed Ryan Morris, Headteacher of Trelewis Primary School.  

Ryan Morris took the Committee through the good progress and improvements made at Trelewis Primary School and the presentation covered the following areas:

·         Introduction to Trelewis Primary School.

·         2018 Estyn Report outlining the successful areas and judgements made.

·         What has been done at the School to achieve a successful Estyn Inspection:

-       Leading the improvement of communication and engagement with  parents.

-       Identifying clear issues that needed to be addressed.

-       Strategies in place to improve engagement of parents.

-       Engagement with community groups.

-       A new vision established that took in stakeholders’ views and involved the whole school community.

·         Continue to strengthen and develop links with parents to improve pupil standards.

·         Develop further links with the community and community events.

·         Continue to provide opportunities for parents to volunteer in the School.

·         Share practice with others.  

Ryan Morris and officers of the Authority provided advice and background information in relation to questions from the Committee.

The Chair and Councillor Lisa Mytton (Cabinet Member for Learning) congratulated Anne Morgan, Glyn Mahoney and Rhys Morris and thanked them for attending.

Councillor Lee Davies left the meeting at 5.35 pm. 

To consider the attached report

The Chair advised members that this item would be discussed at the start of the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Paul Lewis, Andrew Mogford and Amii Cooper to the meeting.

Paul Lewis referred to the Post 16 Home to School Transport report attached to the agenda.

Officers provided advice and background information in relation to the following questions from the Committee:

·         Clarification on the 480 responses received after the 12 week consultation and figures outlined in the table on page 43 of the report. 

·         Consideration of the paper questionnaire results.

·         Provision of free transport to pupils.

·         The NEET’s provision in relation to the free transport element.

·         The effectiveness of the consultation process for young people.

·         Withdrawal of free transport to pupils. 

·         Operating Model Design of the Council and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Wales Act  -  applying the 5 ways of working in the development of each of the options, proper consideration of the 5 ways of working and the evidence of the work?

·         Updating the columns within the critical success factors.

·         Courses attended by pupils. 

RESOLVED that:

·         Officers note and consider the observations made by members of the Committee prior to the report being scheduled for a decision at a future Full Council meeting.

·         Any future draft reports be clearly identified as a “draft” report outlining that the Scrutiny members are only expected to make observations at this stage and not a decision.    

To consider the attached report

Joe Colsey referred to the report on the New Estyn Inspection Framework for School and gave members an overview on the changes in the Estyn Inspection reporting framework for Schools. 

Officers provided advice and background information in relation to the following questions from the Committee:

·         The priorities and challenges on Schools to raise standards at KS4 and attendance.  

·         Clarification on the five inspection areas, namely Standards, Wellbeing and attitudes to learning, teaching and learning experiences, care support and guidance and leadership and management.

RESOLVED that:

The Scrutiny members note the contents of the report. 

The Task and Finish Group has completed its Draft report. A copy will be sent to Committee members under separate cover.

The Chair referred to the first draft of the Review of attendance and attainment in Primary and Secondary Schools (which had been circulated to Members) and advised that a Task and Finish Group had been established (consisting of himself, Councillor Chris Davies and Councillor Sherelle Jago).  

The Task and Finish Group undertook a review of attendance within Primary and Secondary Schools across the County Borough area, to determine whether low rates of attendance were contributing to a corresponding level of attainment within the Schools.  

Discussion ensued in relation to the contents of the report and it was RESOLVED that:

·         The contents of the report be noted.

·         The report be shared with the Chief Officer for Education and Cabinet Member for Learning. 

·         Officers report back on progress as part of the Work Programme. 

Councillor Chris Davies thanked the Chair on the excellent work that he has done to bring this report to members of the Committee and advised that this will be a good tool for officers within the Education Department to take forward to Headteachers and Governing Bodies.

To consider the attached report

The Scrutiny Manager referred members to the work programme which had been prepared in advance of the next scrutiny committee meeting.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that:

·         The Work Programme be agreed.

·         Headteachers and Chairs of Governors be invited to future Committees as part of the Work Programme over the next year.

·         The Committee to continue visits to Schools across the county borough outside of the scheduled Committee meetings.

·         Consideration be given to a Joint Scrutiny Committee with Social Services to look at the health and education for children looked after. 

The Chair advised that there were no referrals, feedback or follow up actions to discuss.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected on the items discussed at the meeting.

Members were advised that this was Howard Jones’ last meeting as he is retiring at the end of June.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair and Councillor Lisa Mytton (Cabinet Member for Learning) thanked Howard Jones for all his advice and guidance which has played a significant part in the way the Committee has carried out its work.