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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 the Topic Selection Forms submitted in respect of Pupil Well-being and School Transport be agreed. To be merged with the report on Transition and scheduled for the meeting on 9 March 2023. (ii) That the Topic Selection Form in respect of the Recruitment of Escorts be scheduled for the meeting on 8 December 2022. Review of Post-16 transport also to be considered (including Morgan Llwyd and Penley sixth forms) and to include any gaps in public transport provision for sixth form schools. It was recommended that Chief Officers include this in the discussions of the Officer Working Group which had been established to consider school escorts. (iii) That subject to the proposed changes outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report the work programme as outlined in Appendix 3 be agreed. (iv) That Information Reports in respect of Period Poverty and the Public Services Board – Education Outcomes be circulated to Members.
AGREED – (i) That the Committee recognise the detailed work outlined in the report and the presentations given by the teachers at the meeting and thank all Officers involved. (ii) To recommend to the Lead Member for Education that the Committee is kept informed of progression in the implementation of the curriculum, particularly in secondary schools, including transition arrangements. (iii) That a further progress report is scheduled to include evaluation and that representatives of GwE, primary and secondary schools be invited to attend.
AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcomes the report and continues to monitor and evaluate progress against the Estyn PIAP. (ii) That the findings from the next Estyn follow up visit be shared with Committee as soon as possible. (iii) That Members of the Committee be invited to attend the Key Stage 2 Engagement Centre referred to on page 134 of the report pack. (iv) That the Chair write to the Welsh Government to request information regarding guidance on the proposed measures to be used to evidence improvement in schools and education services going forward.
AGREED – (i) That the terms of reference of the Group outlined in para 4.2 of the report be agreed. (ii) That the Group meet once per school term and be held in place of the Committee meeting. (iii) That the Group report back to Committee following each meeting, with the first report in December 2022. (iv) That the following Members be appointed to the Group – Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Stella Matthews (Vice-Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Robert Ian Williams Alison Fisher (co-opted member) Glyn Williams (co-opted Member) Substitute co-opted member in the event that Glyn Williams is unable to attend – Brendon McDonald
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Trevor Bates and Alison Tynan.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 July 2022 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Topic Selection Forms submitted in respect of Pupil Well-being and School Transport be agreed. To be merged with the report on Transition and scheduled for the meeting on 9 March 2023. (ii) That the Topic Selection Form in respect of the Recruitment of Escorts be scheduled for the meeting on 8 December 2022. Review of Post-16 transport also to be considered (including Morgan Llwyd and Penley sixth forms) and to include any gaps in public transport provision for sixth form schools. It was recommended that Chief Officers include this in the discussions of the Officer Working Group which had been established to consider school escorts. (iii) That subject to the proposed changes outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report the work programme as outlined in Appendix 3 be agreed. (iv) That Information Reports in respect of Period Poverty and the Public Services Board – Education Outcomes be circulated to Members.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/83/22s) to consider the revised work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator drew Members’ attention to: · The outcome of the light touch review of the work programme · The Topic Selection Form in respect of Pupil Well-being · The Topic Selection Form in respect of School Transport Members considered the report and during debate agreed that: · The item in respect of Pupil Well-being be scheduled for the March 2023 meeting. · The item in respect of School Transport be expanded to include a review of post-16 transport to identify any gaps in public transport provision for sixth form schools. This item to be scheduled for the Committee meeting on 8 December 2022. It was recommended that Chief Officers include the issue of sixth form transport issues for welsh speakers in the discussions of the Officer Working Group which had been established to consider school escorts. · The proposed changes to the work programme outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report be supported and requested that an Information Report be circulated in respect of Period Poverty to provide assurance regarding continued funding and provision of free sanitary products in schools. · Requested that repeat sessions be provided for the All Member Workshops referred to in paragraph 4.3(x) to maximise attendance. · Requested that an Information Report in respect of the educational outcomes of the Public Service Board be provided to Members. · Noted that the Groves Task & Finish Group had reconvened and the issue of maintenance had been raised. AGREED – (i) That the Topic Selection Forms submitted in respect of Pupil Well-being and School Transport be agreed. To be merged with the report on Transition and scheduled for the meeting on 9 March 2023. (ii) That the Topic Selection Form in respect of the Recruitment of Escorts be scheduled for the meeting on 8 December 2022. Review of Post-16 transport also to be considered (including Morgan Llwyd and Penley sixth forms) and to include any gaps in public transport provision for sixth form schools. It was recommended that Chief Officers include this in the discussions of the Officer Working Group which had been established to consider school escorts. (iii) That subject to the proposed changes outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report the work programme as outlined in Appendix 3 be agreed. (iv) That Information Reports in respect of Period Poverty and the Public Services Board – Education Outcomes be circulated to Members.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee recognise the detailed work outlined in the report and the presentations given by the teachers at the meeting and thank all Officers involved. (ii) To recommend to the Lead Member for Education that the Committee is kept informed of progression in the implementation of the curriculum, particularly in secondary schools, including transition arrangements. (iii) That a further progress report is scheduled to include evaluation and that representatives of GwE, primary and secondary schools be invited to attend.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/09/22s) to consider the GwE (North Wales Regional School Improvement Service) Curriculum for Wales Progress Report and the position of all primary and secondary schools across Wrexham in being able to meet the requirements of the new Curriculum and any support requirements, including those of School Governing Bodies. In addition, to provide reassurance to the committee that Wrexham schools have access to, and are engaging with, a good level of high quality support from GwE to prepare for the implementation of the Curriculum for Wales. Presenting the report the Lead Member and Chief Officer Education and Early Intervention (COEEI) highlighted that the Curriculum for Wales was purpose-driven, which meant that all learning experiences should be planned to support the development of the four purposes in learners, providing a broad range of skills which will support all learners to become ambitious, ethical and creative individuals ready for society and work. The COEEI advised that Wrexham schools were in a strong position in respect of preparation for the new Curriculum and paid tribute to the hard work of school colleagues in this regard. The Chair welcomed representatives from GwE and the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher from Ysgol Rhiwabon and Ysgol Johnstown to the meeting. GwE representatives advised the Committee that: · Whilst GwE and schools were working collaboratively each school will create its own bespoke version of the new Curriculum, building upon local knowledge and community links and what is important to each individual school and its population. · The Minister for Education had confirmed that the Curriculum for Wales will continue to be implemented in primary schools from September 2022 with additional flexibility afforded to secondary schools where formal implementation of the new curriculum will not be mandatory until 2023. · Wrexham secondary schools will be implementing a pilot of elements of the new curriculum from September 2022 in preparation for the official roll in September 2023. The Head Teacher, Ysgol Johnstown, reported that the school had been preparing for the new Curriculum for some time in preparation for formal implementation. He gave examples of lessons which provided learning experiences which could be linked to local knowledge and provided opportunities for cross cutting learning. The Headteacher, Ysgol Rhiwabon, supported by the Deputy Head teacher, outlined how the school was preparing for the adoption of the Curriculum for Wales in September 2023. The following key points were noted: · The new curriculum would provide a more holistic view of pupil and schools’ progress. · Any significant change would take significant time to develop and reflect. · There had been quality support at regional and local level, with schools working collaboratively on local and national projects. · The curriculum would be designed by the teachers, for the teachers, with input from pupils. · Ysgol Rhiwabon had taken part in a working party across Wales and had also led a local working group to share experiences. · The ability to link the curriculum to the local community, eg the Ruabon red brick. · Enabling sufficient time for staff training and reflection was an issue and the development of an exam system which supports the new curriculum. The Chair invited Members to ask questions and during debate the following matters were raised: · Members welcomed the GwE report which provided a good overview of the new Curriculum arrangements. · Progress towards Curriculum. Noted that at the time of writing the report the majority of schools were very engaged. Where schools were still struggling with individual areas support and interventions had been provided such as bespoke professional learning and school to school support. · Pupil centred progress and success was demonstrated in schools in respect of pupils being successful at each point of the learning journey to enable them to move on to the next step. · Noted that the assessment waterfall was at early planning stages and would be evaluated in 2022/23. It was requested that the evaluation be shared with the Committee. The assessment waterfall model, with the involvement of pupils, allowed teachers to review teaching and learning, to model what success looks like enabling them to form valid and reliable judgements of pupils’ progress. · The importance of School Governing Body involvement to ensure that they were fully informed of their duties in relation to the new Curriculum, progression and success. · The opportunity to strengthen transition, particularly between years 6 and 7. School representatives informed the Committee of transition work and collaboration which had been beneficial in terms of the pedagogy and understanding the challenges experienced by learners. · School representatives spoke positively in respect of the excellent support provided by GwE and the LA with good balance between support and challenge. AGREED – (i) That the Committee recognise the detailed work outlined in the report and the presentations given by the teachers at the meeting and thank all Officers involved. (ii) To recommend to the Lead Member for Education that the Committee is kept informed of progression in the implementation of the curriculum, particularly in secondary schools, including transition arrangements. (iii) That a further progress report is scheduled to include evaluation and that representatives of GwE, primary and secondary schools be invited to attend.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcomes the report and continues to monitor and evaluate progress against the Estyn PIAP. (ii) That the findings from the next Estyn follow up visit be shared with Committee as soon as possible. (iii) That Members of the Committee be invited to attend the Key Stage 2 Engagement Centre referred to on page 134 of the report pack. (iv) That the Chair write to the Welsh Government to request information regarding guidance on the proposed measures to be used to evidence improvement in schools and education services going forward.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/10/22s) to provide an update to the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee on the Estyn Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP). Members welcomed the report and asked questions of the officers present. During debate the following points were highlighted in particular: · The revised action plan attached at Appendix 3 to the report was noted. · Further information was requested in relation to secondary schools which remained in an Estyn category. The COEEI commented on the importance of celebrating the strengths identified and the good progress made by schools in critical areas and assured the Committee that partnership working would provide support for the required improvements to be made. · Noted that whilst the LA had a standardised policy in respect of attendance and behaviour, each school faced different challenges. It was important to embed a culture of working with children and other agencies to enable them to acquire the skills to communicate problems. · Acknowledged that time was needed to allow the actions identified in the PIAP to become embedded. · Clarity was needed in respect of the proposed outcome measures to be used in view of the Welsh Government instruction not to use examination results at school or local authority level to hold schools to account. · Suggested that consideration be given to providing ALN (additional learning needs) training for teachers and teaching assistants. · The timescales for the Estyn follow up visit. Officers advised that confirmation of timetable had not yet been received. · Officers suggested that a Member Workshop could be arranged to outline interventions at Local Education Authority and school level regarding pupils with ALN. AGREED – (i) That the Committee welcomes the report and continues to monitor and evaluate progress against the Estyn PIAP. (ii) That the findings from the next Estyn follow up visit be shared with Committee as soon as possible. (iii) That Members of the Committee be invited to attend the Key Stage 2 Engagement Centre referred to on page 134 of the report pack. (iv) That the Chair write to the Welsh Government to request information regarding guidance on the proposed measures to be used to evidence improvement in schools and education services going forward.
The Chief Officer Finance and ICT submitted a briefing note in respect of rising energy costs and school budgets. Committee noted the contingency plans of the additional 15.5% uplift that had been included in the schools overall base delegated budget to meet the projected increase in energy contract prices for 2022-23. Assurance was provided from Officers that this would not affect the Accelerated Learning Programme Grant.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the terms of reference of the Group outlined in para 4.2 of the report be agreed. (ii) That the Group meet once per school term and be held in place of the Committee meeting. (iii) That the Group report back to Committee following each meeting, with the first report in December 2022. (iv) That the following Members be appointed to the Group – Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Stella Matthews (Vice-Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Robert Ian Williams Alison Fisher (co-opted member) Glyn Williams (co-opted Member) Substitute co-opted member in the event that Glyn Williams is unable to attend – Brendon McDonald
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/84/22s) to consider terms of reference and membership of the School Improvement Monitoring Group. The Chair drew Members’ attention to the terms of reference of the Group as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report. It was proposed that the Committee be updated following each meeting of the Group. Nominations were sought from the Committee to serve on the Group. AGREED – (i) That the terms of reference of the Group outlined in para 4.2 of the report be agreed. (ii) That the Group meet once per school term and be held in place of the Committee meeting. (iii) That the Group report back to Committee following each meeting, with the first report in December 2022. (iv) That the following Members be appointed to the Group – Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Stella Matthews (Vice-Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Robert Ian Williams Alison Fisher (co-opted member) Glyn Williams (co-opted Member) Substitute co-opted member in the event that Glyn Williams is unable to attend – Brendon McDonald
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