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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
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The minutes of the 27 October 2022 where accepted by the Panel.
The letter to the Cabinet Member arising from the previous meeting was noted by the Panel.
No public questions were received.
The Panel thanked Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners) and Alison Lane (Head of Additional Learning Needs Team) for their report giving background to and a position update on Additional Learning Needs Reform in Swansea. They outlined progress to date, successes and challenges, revised strategy and support, post 16, the Local Health Board and early year activity. The Panel then discussed: · Whether the cost neutral for implementation was an optimistic expectation by Welsh Government and is that expectation affecting implementation here. · Post 16 and our links with colleges · What sort of training is available, how are we and schools managing this and ensuring consistency of approach. · How we differentiate between ALN and children that may for example need catch up after covid. · How learner support requirements are identified and the length of time to put support in place.
The Panel received a PowerPoint presentation made by Kelly Small (Head of Planning and Resources Team). The presentation looked at pupil development grant (PDG) use in Swansea schools and outlining progress with Policy Committee supported Cabinet recommendations. Autumn visits to schools considered school PDG plans as part of that process. The Panel raised the following points: · Projected drop in disposable income for families and the potential increase in the number of pupils needing support and are we prepared for this increase. · The use of the PDG grant for individual pupils who may not fall within PDG, if needed, rather than blanket support for pupils receiving the grant.
David Thomas, Principal School Improvement Adviser introduced the report giving background to and outlining current position with the regard to the School Improvement Service. The Panel discussed the following points: · Importance of inspiring children by the world of work was raised, in particular, the opportunities that will and are being afforded by the City Deal. · Importance of good links with the higher and further education settings and examination boards. · Important to look at what qualifications are needed for the future i.e. Swansea Skills Partnership and their work on digital competency in learners and staff
David Thomas, Principal School Improvement Adviser provided the first of two reports scheduled this year that will outline progress with regard to the introduction in schools of the New Curriculum for Wales. The Panel asked about the quality and cost of training programme supplied by Partneriaeth, whether is it proving beneficial and cost effective.
The Panel noted the feedback from the Panel Convener with regard to the Partneriaeth Scrutiny Councillor Group on the 24 October 2022.
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