Agenda item

Schools' Progress Review Panel Progress Report

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

Minutes:

 Submitted - a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People on

 progress made to date in relation to the Schools’ Progress Review Panel’s   work. 

 

The Chair reported that this year has been a very challenging time for schools, as they have had to change the way they operate, and adapt to becoming Care Centres for vulnerable children.  It was emphasised that no schools had closed during lockdown, and successful outcomes were achieved between the Learning Service, Head Teachers of Anglesey schools, and the Primary and Secondary Schools’ Head Teachers Forum.

 

The Chair reported that the Panel’s work of monitoring standards in individual schools and convening meetings was put on hold during lockdown.  It was noted that the Panel’s meetings reconvened on 24 September 2020.

 

The Chair reported that it is evident that joint working between the Learning Service, GwE and schools has been successful.  He referred to an excellent presentation by Ysgol Gynradd y Fali on Teams, which was well received.  Ysgol Gynradd y Fali made use of Teams technology to convene face to face sessions during the national lockdown, in an effort to identify any possible concerns or safeguarding issues, and as a means of keeping in regular contact with the pupils, and support their wellbeing during the challenging period.  Positive feedback was received from both parents and pupils, and the sessions provided an opportunity to socialise.  It was further noted that since lockdown, there has been a general deterioration in language and numeracy skills, which could have an impact on the children in future.

 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People referred to this successful collaboration work as ‘Tȋm Môn’, where all relevant parties pull together and share good practice in order to provide the very best standard of education for pupils.

 

In response to one of the Panel’s key questions on areas to scrutinise, a member of the Committee questioned how the formula to fund secondary schools is decided?  The Chief Executive responded that key aspects decide the formula for each school eg for a child in Key Stage 3, the school gets approximately £3,500 per child, and the formula increases in Key Stage 4.  Funding for the 6th Form is provided by Welsh Government.  It was noted that additional funding is available for children who have additional needs. 

 

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer reported that each school receives a copy of the formula annually.  He stated that the formula has to be fair to each school, although some Head Teachers might argue that elements of the formula are unfair to their individual schools, if funding does not      meet their expectations.  It was noted that it is not the formula that is the issue,           but the amount of money that is available.  On Anglesey, the formula shares the funds available between the five secondary schools.

 

Members raised the following points during discussion:-

 

·     The support provided to schools by the Panel during Covid-19 has been

      praised by Head Teachers.

·           Most teachers carry out excellent work.  Concerns were raised that some

      proficient teachers are less confident in applying remote learning than

      others, and may need assistance.  It was highlighted that presently there      are technical and ICT issues in schools, which need to be resolved.

·     A member of the Panel referred to the integral role that children and pupils

play within Tîm Môn, due to their support in assisting schools during these uncertain times through conforming to the new regulations  

·           A question was raised as to whether the Council could take advantage of

      resources from outside organisations for learning.  It was noted that the

      Learning Service works closely with GwE, Estyn etc, who provide training

        and guidance.

 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that each school

has its strengths and room for improvement.  He stated that the Learning

Service has worked with leading schools in ICT to develop Model Môn across

the Island.  He further stated that they have prepared guidance and examples of good practice to assist other schools in raising standards in using technology.  With regards to remote learning, there are digital champions in each catchment area.  It was noted that the schools had initially changed the way they operated during lockdown, and concentrated on welfare and developing staff and pupils’ skills in using digital platforms and technology in general.  With regard to disadvantaged children, the Service has provided Chromebooks and devices to enable them to participate in remote learning, and is working together with the Children’s Services and the Finance Department to achieve its objectives.

 

The Scrutiny Committee is satisfied with the Panel’s Scrutiny work to date.  The Panel has successfully concentrated on key areas of the Learning Service’s response to Covid-19 and identified lessons learned in relation to the following:-

 

·             The Learning Service and GwE have provided comprehensive training to

      schools;

·              Remote learning arrangements have been implemented;

·              Progress has been made in technology and the use of virtual lessons, and laptops have been shared with pupils;

·              The Panel will be scrutinising GwE’s Annual Report, as in previous years;

·          It has become evident that some pupils have experienced a   deterioration in their literacy and numeracy skills;

·             The strengths of some teachers with regard to remote learning and

 technology has been highlighted.

·              It was noted that the Panel’s meetings are set to continue on a monthly basis. 

 

 

The Panel is certain that robust measures are in place for responding to any

future lockdown, which would involve school closures.  Even though effective

work has taken place, lessons have been learned through experience, which

can be applied, as necessary.

 

 RESOLVED:-

    To note progress made in terms of the delivery of the Schools’

Progress Review Panel’s work programme which includes robust

challenge of individual school performance.

    To note the work streams in place through the new arrangements and introduced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    That the Committee is satisfied with the robustness of the Panel’s

monitoring to date. 

 

Supporting documents: