Agenda item

To submit a report by a progress report by the Chair of the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel and Supporting Officers.

Submitted – a progress report by the Chair of the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel and Supporting Officers in relation to the above.

The Chair as the Chair of the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel reported that 3 Scrutiny Panels have been established and all now meet regularly; this report focuses on the progress made as regards to the Scrutiny Panel – School Progress Review. The Education and Leisure Scrutiny Committee established the Panel on the 21st November, 2012 and it arose from recommendations made by Estyn on the quality of education services for children and young people on Anglesey. The Senior School Standards and Inclusion Manager provides guidance to the Panel as regard to schools that may be appropriate to be invited to appear before the Panel. The criterion used to select schools are based on the national school categorisation framework, school performance and Estyn reports and the aim is to have a good mix of primary/secondary schools of different pupil ratio.

The Senior School Standards and Inclusion Manager reported that training was given to the Elected Members on the Panel following the local government election held last May. The training also focused on the methodology of how a Head teacher administers the school and whether that Head teacher has a vision to make improvements and raise academic tests and examinations within their school. The training also looked upon the role of Estyn and the expectations Estyn has from schools. The role of GwE, which has been commissioned by Education Authority to support schools performance was also discussed within the Panel. Monitoring reports are received from GwE on individual schools which afford the required support and guidance when a school is not performing as expected. The Panel also evaluate and monitor the performance of the schools on a regular basis.

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

•   Clarification was sought if the Chair and the Panel Members are satisfied with the work carried out by the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel. Members of the Panel said that the work of the Panel has been very constructive and has afforded members the opportunity to monitor good performing schools and to challenge schools that have not been performing as expected. Statistics and data as regard to key stage evaluation are also discussed and monitored within the Schools Review Panel.

•   Questions raised as to whether suggestions can be made to strengthening the work of the Panel. Members of the Panel said that two of the membership of the Panel have visited GwE in Caernarfon recently; it was considered that it was vitally important that they were able to see and understand the work afforded by GwE for the improvements and support of schools. It was considered that GwE have the expertise and knowledge to support schools. It was also considered that Panel Members should also be afforded the opportunity to visit schools.

•   Clarification was sought whether the Scrutiny Committee was satisfied with the pace of the work of the Panel. The Head of Learning said that the Panel will have seen 16 schools before them and 6 of these schools have been revisited during the year. She said that as a Head of Service, she is very satisfied with the work of the Panel to date.

•   Clarification was sought as to how the Panel will encourage improvements in results at Key Stage 4. Members of the Panel responded that it must take into account that each Year 11 at secondary schools will not achieve the same results each year. However, it was noted that 2 of the 5 Secondary Schools have not been before the School Review Panel as yet but it was encouraging to note that the largest secondary school on the Island is totally aware of the difficulties encountered and have put in place measures which will hopefully improve the Key Stage 4 results.

It was RESOLVED :-

•    To note the progress made to date with the work of the Scrutiny Panel – School Progress Review.

•    That the Scrutiny Panel has a Work Programme in place.

•    That there are no matters at this point that needs to be escalated by the Panel for consideration by the parent Committee.

ACTION : As noted above.