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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – (i) That a report be considered regarding New Curriculum at the September meeting. (ii) That a report in respect of Free School Meals, relating to their universal provision in Primary Schools, including details of support provided to schools by LEA, update on current position and future requirements be submitted to the October meeting.
AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcome the assurance that activity detailed in the PIAP report is on track and welcome the dedication of teams in implementing the plan. (ii) That Officers engage with Wrexham Primary Federation and Wrexham Association Secondary Heads when reports are considered by the committee which focus on educational improvement and standards. (iii) That a revised version of the Action Plan, to include evaluation of its impacts be submitted to a future meeting. (iv) That the Committee consider an update report on the PIAP at the October meeting.
AGREED – That the Membership of the Groves Task and Finish Group be as follows: Cllr Dana Davies Cllr Stella Matthews Cllr Carrie Harper Cllr Becca Martin Cllr Corin Jarvis Cllr Jeremy Newton Cllr Frank Hemming Cllr Anthony Wedlake
AGREED – (i) That the 2.30pm start time and the dates proposed be noted. (ii) That the work being undertaken by the Task and Finish Group of the Democratic Services Committee to consider meeting start times be noted.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of co-opted members Alison Fisher, Alex Williams and Glynn Williams.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 March 2022 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That a report be considered regarding New Curriculum at the September meeting. (ii) That a report in respect of Free School Meals, relating to their universal provision in Primary Schools, including details of support provided to schools by LEA, update on current position and future requirements be submitted to the October meeting.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/65/22s) to consider the revised work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator highlighted proposed changes to the work programme as follows: · That an item in respect of the new Curriculum for Wales be considered at the September meeting. · Scheduling of an item in respect of the roll out of the universal offer of free school meals in Primary Schools. The Lead Member for Education suggested that the Committee may wish to list this item for the Autumn. AGREED – (i) That a report be considered regarding New Curriculum at the September meeting. (ii) That a report in respect of Free School Meals, relating to their universal provision in Primary Schools, including details of support provided to schools by LEA, update on current position and future requirements be submitted to the October meeting.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcome the assurance that activity detailed in the PIAP report is on track and welcome the dedication of teams in implementing the plan. (ii) That Officers engage with Wrexham Primary Federation and Wrexham Association Secondary Heads when reports are considered by the committee which focus on educational improvement and standards. (iii) That a revised version of the Action Plan, to include evaluation of its impacts be submitted to a future meeting. (iv) That the Committee consider an update report on the PIAP at the October meeting.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/06/22s) to provide an update to the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee on the Estyn Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP). Presenting the report the Lead Member provided a brief overview of the position to date following the inspection of the Wrexham Local Government Education Services (LGES) by Estyn in October 2019. The Chief Officer Education and Early Intervention (COEEI) provided further detail in respect of the actions taken by the local authority to demonstrate to Estyn that the outcomes required to enable the removal from category were being achieved, whilst also managing the significant disruption caused by the Covid pandemic. The report demonstrated that good progress had been made in taking the required action to address the Estyn recommendations. She reported that the main challenge of the last 12 months remained around recommendation 1, urgently improve outcomes for learners particularly at KS4, as comparative performance data was no longer available. Going forward pupils at the end of KS4 would achieve individual levels of success, commensurate with ability and potential, and this will be evidenced by destination data showing pathways to post 16 learning, employment or training. The COEEI reported that the department now intended to consolidate and develop the actions and approaches outlined in the action plan to allow them to be fully embedded. The service was committed to sustained and long term improvement, not quick fixes. Members of the Committee considered the report and asked questions of the Chief Officer and Lead Member. During debate reference was made to the following matters in particular: · Support for teachers who were key in delivering positive outcomes for learners. The COEEI acknowledged the excellent work done by teachers, particularly during the difficult circumstances of the pandemic. She assured the Committee that the service had developed a strong collaborative relationship with schools and reminded Members of the professional development offer for teachers provided by GwE. The Lead Member wished to place on record his thanks to teachers for their commitment particularly keeping schools open during lockdown for the children of key workers and for vulnerable children. · Noted that the green RAG status, in Appendix 4 – Progress Update, was an indication that actions were on track, it did not mean that they were completed or that they had yet secured the outcomes required. · The role of school leaders in securing success. The COEEI assured the Committee that everyone in the education community shared the collective vision for improvement. · In order to achieve long term sustainability time was needed for actions to be embedded. The COEEI reminded the Committee of the need to be proportionate about the pace of impact that could be delivered in the context of the disruption caused by the pandemic. · Clarity was sought regarding evidencing improvements made in order to confidently secure sustained progress given the removal of comparative data. It was noted that work was being undertaken in respect of the new curriculum and measures of assessment nationally. · Noted that the actions contained in the PIAP would be addressed and embedded by September 2022. The COEEI reported that this represented a milestone in the improvement journey and that going forward the service needed to continue to focus on the activities whilst also developing a broader education improvement plan. Committee requested information in respect of the next step with a focus on impact, to be presented to a future meeting. · Clarity sought on whether the implementation of the new curriculum and changes to ALN legislation would impact upon the progress of the action plan. The COEEI reported on the excellent work and enthusiasm for the new curriculum demonstrated by schools and the support provided by GwE in respect of development of staff. She assured the committee that whilst there may be challenges the service was well prepared and with ongoing evaluation would be in a position to respond to any emerging need. · It was anticipated that Estyn would re-visit the local authority in the Autumn. The COEEI reported that when the visit took place the service wished to be in a position to demonstrate that progress could be maintained so that the local authority could be confidently removed from category as a result of sustained progress. · The report was welcomed by the committee and Members thanked the Chief Officer and her team for leading the work outlined in the action plan. · The committee was confident that the activity in the action plan was laying the foundation for future improvement and thanked the Chief Officer for the report and her responses. AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcome the assurance that activity detailed in the PIAP report is on track and welcome the dedication of teams in implementing the plan. (ii) That Officers engage with Wrexham Primary Federation and Wrexham Association Secondary Heads when reports are considered by the committee which focus on educational improvement and standards. (iii) That a revised version of the Action Plan, to include evaluation of its impacts be submitted to a future meeting. (iv) That the Committee consider an update report on the PIAP at the October meeting.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the Membership of the Groves Task and Finish Group be as follows: Cllr Dana Davies Cllr Stella Matthews Cllr Carrie Harper Cllr Becca Martin Cllr Corin Jarvis Cllr Jeremy Newton Cllr Frank Hemming Cllr Anthony Wedlake
The Chief Officer submitted a report (COGC/74/22s) to consider Membership of the Groves Task and Finish Group. Members considered the report and recommended that three members of this Committee be appointed to serve along with the two local ward members. A Member expressed his concerns regarding the building which were acknowledged by the members of the Task and Finish Group. It was noted that the Corporate Land and Buildings Group would also be considering a report in respect of the Groves site. A Member requested that the Scrutiny Facilitator clarify the process in terms of reports regarding this matter. AGREED – That the Membership of the Groves Task and Finish Group be as follows: Cllr Dana Davies Cllr Stella Matthews Cllr Carrie Harper Cllr Becca Martin Cllr Corin Jarvis Cllr Jeremy Newton Cllr Frank Hemming Cllr Anthony Wedlake
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the 2.30pm start time and the dates proposed be noted. (ii) That the work being undertaken by the Task and Finish Group of the Democratic Services Committee to consider meeting start times be noted.
In accordance with The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 and the decision taken by Annual Council on 25 May 2022, Members were requested to review the following proposed dates and timings of Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee meetings with a view to reporting back to Council in September any adjustments they wish to make to the draft timetable. It was proposed that all meetings be held on a Thursday at 2.30pm on the following dates: 15 September 2022 9 March 2023 13 October 2022 20 April 2023 10 November 2022 11 May 2023 8 December 2022 15 June 2023 12 January 2023 13 July 2023 9 February 2023 Members commented on the importance of ensuring that meeting times were inclusive. It was reported that the Democratic Services Committee had established a Task & Finish Group to look at the issue of meeting times and Members would have an opportunity to contribute. AGREED – (i) That the 2.30pm start time and the dates proposed be noted. (ii) That the work being undertaken by the Task and Finish Group of the Democratic Services Committee to consider meeting start times be noted.
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