Agenda item

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

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People incorporating the draft Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Ieuan Williams, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language presented the report by referring to the Council’s ambition for the Island’s children and young people that whatever their background and circumstances, they achieve their full potential, and that all learners are supported to develop towards the four purposes of the curriculum. Since the original strategy was published in 2013, a great deal of work has been undertaken to modernise the school stock on Anglesey with three projects having been completed thus far and two further projects currently underway. By the time the latter two will have been completed the Council will have opened five 21^st century buildings in four areas including the Council’s first net zero building, updated and expanded a further two schools and closed 11 small schools. Additionally, approximately 25% of primary learners on Anglesey will be receiving their education in 21^st century buildings by that time. The projects undertaken to date have had a positive impact on surplus places in the primary sector and have led to revenue savings and removed current and projected maintenance costs. The Council’s progress in modernising its school organisation has been recognised by Estyn in its report in June 2022.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language spoke about the funding commitments that go with modernising school organisation saying that although Welsh Government has contributed 50% towards the cost of Band A projects and 65% towards Band B projects, the Council has had to meet the remaining costs. While building new schools is therefore expensive especially at present as a result of global events, it is important that the Council takes advantage of the opportunity to attract external funds to improve the condition of its education buildings estate. Good progress has been made in the primary sector, but work needs to be done to address the decline in the condition of secondary school buildings as a result the strategy anticipates he need to remodel secondary provision over the coming years whilst also implementing other difficult decisions.

The Portfolio Member outlined the objectives underpinning the strategy as listed in the report and stressed that the Council is keen to consult on the strategy ahead of its adoption so as to be able to consider the views of stakeholders and partners before making further decisions about how to move forward with the programme.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People explained the proposed consultation process and timetable confirming that subject to the Executive’s approval, the intention was to  commence consultation on 31 March, 2023 for a period of seven weeks until 18 May following which a consultation report would be prepared before the draft strategy is then presented to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in June and to the Executive for approval in July, 2023 to be ready for implementation at the start of the new school term in September, 2023.

The Executive’s members voiced their support for the draft strategy saying that it was difficult to disagree with the strategy’s mission to deliver effective schools of the right size in the right locations with a suitable teaching environment and led by inspirational leaders. They emphasised that it was the Council’s responsibility to do all it can to ensure that the Island’s children are provided with the learning conditions and environment that will enable them to become ambitious, capable learners and responsible citizens and reference was made in this context to the new Ysgol Corn Hir, the latest completed project of the original strategy as encapsulating the Council’s ambition and vision for its schools. Some members of the Executive mentioned that they had had the opportunity to visit the school prior to its official opening after this coming Easter and had been struck by its modernity and range of facilities providing the best opportunities for pupils to learn and develop. They urged others to take advantage of the school’s Open Day on 31 March to see for themselves what the new Ysgol Corn Hir is able to offer its learners.

It was resolved to approve the draft Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy for public consultation.