Agenda item

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

Submitted – a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that the purpose of the report is to provide an annual update on the progress made as regards to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that over the period of 2023/2024, schools have received the support of the Learning Service, the language centres, the Language Charter and GwE to ensure provision of standard that reflects school categories and the needs of the pupils within the schools on the Island.  He noted that the Welsh Education Strategic Plan progress report must be submitted to Welsh Government to report on the progress to reach the Council’s priorities and address the aims of the Plan.  The report notes the stability of outcomes 1,2,3, 5 and 6 with a decrease in outcome 4 (pupils studying through the medium of Welsh) and an increase in outcome 7 (number of staff able to teach through the medium of Welsh).  The language categories have been discussed with the schools with Category 1 – English Medium, Category 2 – Bilingual and Category 3 – Welsh Medium.  There is a transitional period to work towards Welsh Medium (T3).  As noted within the report, all primary schools except one are within Category 3 and 4 secondary schools are within Category 3 with one secondary school in T3.  He further reported on the ‘Cynllun y Llan’ which is specifically for the Welsh Language Centres and 96 primary school children attended the Language Centres and 150 pupils received aftercare language support.  One member of the centre will be sustained on the Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi site, strategically as part of the transitional plan to support the school from Category T3 to Category 3.

The points of discussion by the Committee were as follows:-

·     Questions were raised as to how parents will be assured that their children will receive their education in Welsh following the transition from a Category 3 primary schools to Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that a plan will be created in Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi which includes creating a Category 3 stream in Year 7 from September 2024. By 2029, every year will have a Category 3 stream within the school.  One class in Year 7 will be afforded who will receive their education through the medium of Welsh from September 2024 and progression will follow in the following Years 8 to 11.   Staff have already attended Welsh language courses and are optimistic that pupils from Holyhead primary schools will have the provision to receive their education through the medium of Welsh in Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.  Further questions were raised as to whether there will be a provision for parents to be able to contact the school with other language problems that may arise.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that a Language Charter Officer has been appointed which will focus on how to improve the Welsh language within the school and outside of the classroom. 

·     Questions were raised as to what degree does the Language Centres service fully respond to the immersion needs across the Isle of Anglesey?  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that there are one primary and one secondary Language Centres which cater for the needs of pupils that move into the area.  Grant funding is sought to improve the capacity within the Language Centres and a teacher is appointed within the secondary immersion provision. He further said that it is evident that there is a need for the Language Centres as there is a waiting list of pupils waiting to attend these Centres.  32 pupils per term from the primary schools and 30 pupils per term from the secondary schools attending these Language Centres.  The success of these Language Centres is evident as other local authorities have adopted the same provision afforded.  However, there are financial challenges to continue providing the provision of Language Centres.  Further comments were made that pupils are having to wait for the provisions provided by the Language Centres.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that teachers within the schools already have the language skills to teach bilingually but due to the increasing demand for the Language Centres it is unfortunate that pupils have to wait to attend the Language Centres due to capacity. 

·     Questions were raised as to the challenges foreseen in progressing Holyhead High School from Category T3 to Category C3. The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that there is a commitment within Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to progress with the transition of ensuring that pupils receive their education through the medium of Welsh from Year 7 onwards.  The continued monitoring and consultation with parents are essential to alleviate any concerns that may arise. 

·     Reference was made that the Church School in Holyhead is within Category 2 and questions were raised as to whether there is provision to progress the school into Category 3.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that the Church school has been placed in Category 3 following the hard work of the school.  The other school within the Authority that is currently a Category 2 school is the Foundation School and there is a commitment within the school to ensure that both languages are taught with an appointment of a teacher to focus on the Welsh language provision which is part of their development plan to increase the use of the Welsh language within the school. 

·     Questions were raised as to what extent is the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan on track and likely to achieve what is required?  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that there are challenges within the Strategic Plan to address the targets expected.  Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Strategy has set a target of 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050 which is a challenge within the Education sector as there is a high level of non-Welsh speakers’ people moving into the Island.  Census records have also shown that there is a decrease in people speaking Welsh within the household.  However, there is strong evidence within the schools on the Island that the Welsh language is paramount to the education of children.  The Chief Executive said that the Census records show that there are 70% of the population of the Island have the awareness of the Welsh language compared to 25% in other areas of Wales.  He noted that the target of 1 million of Welsh speakers by 2050 will be challenging and partner organisations needs to be aware that policies and legislation together with funding is important to match the targets.

·     Reference was made that when children return to schools following the six weeks summer holiday period, they seem to have reverted to speaking English with each other.  Questions were raised as to the provision available for parents to learn Welsh so that they can support their children in speaking Welsh within the home.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that there are courses available through the Canolfan Bedwyr within Bangor University and other provisions provided to learn Welsh is advertised within the schools with some schools affording the provision to learn Welsh within the schools. 

·     Reference was made that the Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held on Anglesey in 2026.  Questions were raised as to whether the promotion of the Urdd Eisteddfod coming to Anglesey can be incorporated into the Strategic Plan.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that it will be an opportunity to highlight the progression of the Welsh language within the Island when the Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held on Anglesey in 2026 and can be included within the Strategic Plan.  Working in partnership with organisations involved with children and young people is paramount to the success of the promotion of the language.  He noted that it will be an opportunity for non-Welsh speaking families to attend the Eisteddfod. 

It was RESOLVED to note the update on Anglesey WESP 2022-2023 data and the proposed method of sharing this information.

ACTION : As noted above.