Agenda and minutes

As noted above.

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

Councillor Nicola Roberts declared a personal interest in respect of Items 4, 5 and 6 as she is a Governor at Talwrn Primary School and her daughter is attending Ysgol y Graig, Llangefni and her son attending Ysgol Gyfun, Llangefni.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November, 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November, 2018 were confirmed.

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Learning on the standards in Anglesey Schools (Summer 2018).

Mr Elfyn Jones - Senior Secondary Lead – GwE reported that the contents of the report is different to previous years due to Welsh Government introducing significant changes to how performance measures are reported.  Following Welsh Government consultation on future publication of teacher assessments, WG no longer publish comparative Foundation Phase, Key Stage 2 and 3 data at schools, local authority and consortia level and therefore beyond a comparison with national averages, there is no comparative nor benchmarking information available.  In October 2014 the Foundation Phase Areas of Learning (AoL) for Language, Literacy and Communications Skills and Mathematical Development were revised to align them with the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) as well as making them more demanding.  In line with this the Foundation Phase outcomes were recalibrated to align with the increased expectations of the revised Areas of Learning.  The revised AoL were introduced on a statutory basis from September 2015.  This means that the cohort of children that started Reception in September 2015 were the first children to be formally assessed against the revised outcomes at the end of the Foundation Phase in the Summer of 2018.  Comparisons of Foundation Phase outcomes with previous years at school level should therefore be avoided as they are not measured on a comparable basis.  It was noted that comparison of yearly results in future will not be local authorities comparing results against each authority neither will comparability between schools but scrutinise the variance as to what is achieved within a particular subject within a school or within a Key Stage.  

The Chair welcomed Mr Rhys Williams, Schools Challenge Advisor (Primary) and Mrs Sharon Vaughan, Schools Challenge Advisor (Secondary) to the meeting.  

The Schools Challenge Advisor (Primary) gave a detailed analysis of the performance data to the Committee.

Foundation Phase

•     This year’s results in the Foundation Phase shows a national decrease when compared to previous years.  Many teachers are under the impression that there are higher expectations to achieve an Outcome and this is one factor that has led to less public achieving Outcome 5;  

•     Many schools are reporting on Welsh first language in 2018 as opposed to second language in 2017.  With exception to Welsh the FPI gap between 2017 and 2018 performance is wider nationally than in Anglesey on both the expected outcomes and the higher outcomes; 

•     This Authority has a specific plan to drive improvements within the Foundation Phase.  There is already a Steering Group with Head Teacher representation from each catchment area in place.  GwE facilitates supports and quality assure the work of the Steering Group and Supporting Improvement Advisers will also work within catchment areas to identify the needs of each school.  This action plan is in specific response to Welsh, Baseline Assessment, the Early Years and improving tracking and targeting systems;

•     Results for higher Outcomes 6+ in Anglesey schools remain relatively good.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Senior Secondary Lead – GwE.

Submitted – a report by the Senior Secondary Lead–GwE.

The report highlighted the performance of GwE for 2017/18 and noted that GwE provides a focused and supportive challenge to develop a self-improving system which trusts schools and their leaders at every level.  The report provided GwE’s Business Plan Priorities for 2018/19, together with an overview on educational standards across North Wales in 2017/18. 

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·      Whilst accepting that there is continued improvement in sharing good practice between schools a Member expressed that specific target dates needs to be identified. The Senior Secondary Lead – GwE responded that GwE considers that the main focus within the coming years will be to have better resilience.  He considered that the good practice is within the schools and as they will be facing extensive changes to the educational curriculum, GwE will be supporting a rolling programme within schools.  He noted that Welsh Government and Estyn will be publishing expectations for schools in the near future to be challenging and supporting each other;

·      A Member expressed that he considered that GwE’s Improvement Support Advisors needs to be located within schools.  He also referred that GwE’s support is costly.  The Head of Learning responded that he did not consider that a comparable model afforded by GwE would achieve the improvements and support that schools on Anglesey have been given and especially with extensive changes the education system will be facing over the next few years.  The Portfolio Holder – Education, Youth, Libraries & Culture expressed that the support GwE has given to improve and enhance Anglesey schools has been imperative to the success of the schools.  He also noted that the work of the Schools Progress Review – Scrutiny Panel has been supported and guided by GwE to challenging schools that have been appeared before the Panel.  As part of supporting the development of the Panel, the Senior Secondary Lead –GwE invited Members of Panel to shadow the work of GwE in schools during specific visits.  This was welcomed by the Committee as part of supporting the scrutiny role of Members.

It was RESOLVED to note the report.

ACTION : To arrange for Members to shadow the work of GwE once necessary arrangements have been put in place by GwE in consultation with the Learning Department.

To submit a progress report by the Chair of the Scrutiny Schools Progress Review Panel and Standards & Inclusions Senior Manager.

Submitted – a progress report by the Chair of the Scrutiny Schools Progress Review Panel and the Standards & Inclusions Senior Manager.

The Standards & Inclusions Senior Manager reported the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel has since reporting to this Committee, met on five occasions and have received reports and have met with Heads and Governors as follows :-

Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern

Review of the Learning Action Plan

Foundation Phase

Ysgol y Ffridd and Ysgol y Graig, Llangefni

Ysgol Corn Hir, Llangefni and Ysgol Henblas

The Panel receives information from GwE and an Officer is available in meetings to discuss any support being received by a school.  The Panel also receives updates by the Head of Learning in respect of implementation of the Learning Service Action Plan.  Raising performance in the Foundation Phase is high on the Learning Department agenda and although good outcomes have been made in ensuring schools are now assessing pupils in Welsh first language, ensuring consistency of high standards across all subject’s remains a priority.  The Officers further said that following a briefing session given by the Foundation Phase Cluster Leadership Group, the Panel were reassured that a robust action plan is being undertaken to strengthen this area.  It was noted that the Panel is concerned that Free School Meals (FSM) pupil numbers is decreasing although the Island’s economy on the whole does not reflect the change in families’ circumstances. 

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·      Clarification was sought as to the current situation as to the recruitment of Head Teachers within the Primary Sector.  The Standards & Inclusions Senior Manager responded that a number of new Head Teachers have been in place since the last two years.  She further said that a number of teachers’ within the primary sector have requested NPQH training to become Head Teachers;

·      Reference was made that Elected Members previously visited schools to view activities and performance of schools.  The Chief Executive said that he considered that it would be advantageous for Elected Members to visit schools as it could enhance their role as Governors and would be informative as regards to evidence of value for money in respect of the role GwE within the Island’s Schools.

It was RESOLVED :-

·      To agree that the Schools Progress Review – Scrutiny Panel is providing robust challenge on individual school’s performance;

·      To agree that the Schools Progress Review – Scrutiny Panel is monitoring implementation of the Learning Service’s Improvement Plan and that the plan is on target thus far;

·      To agree that progress is being made by the Panel in monitoring the work undertaken by the Foundation Phase Cluster Leadership Group that leads on improving performance in the Foundation Phase across the Island;

·      That there are no matters that currently need to be escalated to the attention of the Executive from the ongoing work of the Panel.

ACTION : As noted above.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

Submitted – a report by the Scrutiny Officer on the Committee’s Work Programme to July 2019.

It was RESOLVED to note the Work Programme to July 2019.

ACTION : As above.