Agenda item

To submit 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 since the last progress report submitted to this meeting on the 6 February, 2018, the Panel has met on 5 occasions.  It was expressed that the Panel considers it appropriate that it monitors the Learning Services Delivery/Improvement Plan and it is considered that its Terms of Reference will need to be strengthened. 

The Senior Standards & Inclusions Manager reported that the Scrutiny Panel has focused on the following since 6^th February, 2018 :-

·      Four primary schools and one secondary school has been before the Panel at various dates;

·      Before every meeting, the Panel are given school’s performance data and a written summery report from the Senior Standards and Inclusion Officer.  The Panel also makes good use of information received by GwE’s Officer who is available at each meeting to discuss the support given to the schools to address underperformance. 

·      On 9^th February, the Panel received essential updates regarding WG policy on the development of Welsh throughout the Education system.  The Panel received an overview of challenges facing certain schools, together with summary of steps taken to meet the department Welsh in Education Action Plan 2017 – 2021.

·      On 20^th April, the Panel considered challenges and lessons to be learnt in opening new schools. 

·      On 8^th June, the Panel reviewed improvements of a school that was first seen in October 2017.  The Panel was reassured that the school was on track to make good progress against the six recommendations identified by Estyn.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships, Community and Service Improvements) said that the work of the Schools Progress Review : Scrutiny Panel is paramount to the challenge and improve standards within the Island schools.  The examination results from the authority’s secondary schools will gauge the improvements within education so as to comply with Estyn’s expected criteria.  

The Portfolio Holder for Education reiterated that the work of the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel has been paramount to challenge and improvement of schools.  He noted that one school has been before the Panel on two occasions. He expressed that schools have not been completing honest and accurate self-appraisals to GwE’s expectations.  The Portfolio Holder for Education said that Welsh Charter has come a long way to ensure that Welsh becomes the everyday language of choice; the Welsh Government Policy expects that all schools follow the Welsh First Language Curriculum and that Second Language Welsh qualification will not be available in future years.  

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

·      The role of School Governors as well as the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel is paramount for improvements in education on the Island.  The Portfolio Holder for Education totally agreed that the role of elected members as School Governors is essential;

·      Clarification was sought as to whether Head Teachers receive support and guidance when they are brought before the Schools Progress Review Scrutiny Panel.  The Senior Standards & Inclusions Manager responded that the Scrutiny Panel has matured within the elements of understanding the strengths and weaknesses within specific areas within schools and as to how they are able to challenge individuals when they are called before the Panel.  She noted that the aspirations of the Authority, GwE and schools on the Island is to be able to afford the best possible opportunities for pupils.

It was RESOLVED :-

·      To note and to thank the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Panel : School Progress Review;

·      To approve the amended Panel’s Terms of Reference (as shown in Appendix 1 of the report);

·      To approve that the key messages within the report be brought to the attention of the Portfolio Holder (Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth) and the Head of Learning.

ACTION : As noted above.