Agenda item

To present the report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People on the outcome of the public engagement on the future of post-16 education provision on Anglesey was presented for the committee’s consideration and review.

Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language presented the report explaining that the Council decided to undertake a public engagement exercise on the post-16 education provision for Anglesey conducted between 20 January and  7 March 2025. Rather than a formal consultation, the engagement was chosen because no specific proposal  was being put forward and because the Council wanted to involve a wider range of  stakeholders and foster a broader conversation to understand different perspectives and opinions. Stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on several options as noted in the report and had the opportunity to propose alternative options. In addition to the engagement survey, face to face sessions were held at the Coleg Menai campus in Llangefni and across the five secondary schools. The public engagement yielded a significant response as detailed in the engagement report.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People confirmed that the report is a key component of the Council’s commitment to reviewing  post-16 education provision, as outlined in the Council’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Strategic Outline Programme and its Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy.  Both documents emphasise the necessity of reassessing the current post-16 education provision model to ensure it is sustainable, efficient and responsive to learners’ experiences. The report also highlights current challenges within the sector including class sizes, demographic changes and financial viability. A majority of respondents (54%) in the engagement exercise expressed support for a review of post-16 education provision, with the preferred option being Option 2 – to further develop a closer working relationship between the existing providers. Respondents identified several priorities  for the future of post-16 provision including local accessibility, the quality of teaching and the availability of subject choices locally. Considering the feedback from the public engagement, the committee is recommended to support Option 2 as the most appropriate way forward and authorise officers to prepare a strategic plan to this end. The plan will also aim to address or mitigate current challenges in post-16 education provision on Anglesey while strengthening post-16 learner entitlement and experience. This vision aligns with the broader ambition of ensuring the highest possible quality of education on the Island for current and future generations.

In reviewing the engagement report the committee discussed the following matters –

·      Members sought clarification on what a closer working relationship between existing providers would entail, the benefits of this approach and whether it would result in additional costs.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People explained that  the Council is looking forward to working with schools, the college, parents and learners to develop a framework for closer co-operation. A variety of ideas emerged from the public engagement and the Council is committed to bringing the stakeholders together to create a strategic plan to address these challenges over time. In response to further questions about improving subject accessibility and choice at each institution while minimising the need for learners to travel between sites, the Director of Education and Skills acknowledged that there is work to be done to enhance learners’ experiences. The Council remains dedicated to working alongside stakeholders to achieve these improvements.

·      Members  enquired about the potential challenges and risks of not implementing the proposal and whether the Council has a contingency plan in place.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People advised that failing to address the identified challenges now would make it significantly more difficult to revisit them in future.  The engagement exercise has created an expectation among stakeholders that the matter will be resolved. The Chief Executive emphasised that the engagement process has provided the Council with a clear direction. In line with the report’s recommendation, the strategic plan will explore all available options and provide the necessary details. Before any formal consultation can take place,  the necessary impact assessments must be conducted. Subject to the Executive’s approval a rigorous process will need to be followed before any of the aims and objectives can begin to be realised.

·      While the committee acknowledged the engagement exercise as comprehensive, particularly praising the strong response from learners, assurance was sought that it had successfully reached  learners of different ages, abilities and academic interests. 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People confirmed that the engagement sessions held through the schools and college had included learners from various year groups with additional opportunity for participation though the engagement survey. The Deputy Chief Executive emphasised that the Council highly values the perspectives of children and young people. One of the themes emerging from the engagement exercise was the need to place greater emphasis on young people’s views. If the recommendation is approved, the Council will have time to further develop this approach, potentially by  establishing focus groups and seeking the input of learners who have completed their post-16 education.

·      Questions were raised about how the changes align with and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Council Plan.

The Deputy Chief Executive explained that the engagement exercise, report and potential outcomes for post-16 education provision are closely linked to several key objectives of the Council Plan. One such objective is to increase the opportunities to learn and speak the Welsh language – an objective that runs through the engagement like a gold thread. Another key objective is the delivery of effective education provision for current and future generations which the engagement exercise and resulting work aim to achieve within the post-16 sector.

·      Members enquired about the prominence given to the Welsh language in the public engagement exercise.

The Head of Democracy confirmed that a Welsh Language Impact Assessment had been conducted regarding the proposal to further develop a closer working relationship between the existing post-16 education providers. The Welsh Language Commissioner had enquired about the scope of the assessment, in response it was clarified that the exercise undertaken was a public engagement rather than a formal consultation. If future steps require a formal consultation, an additional impact assessment will be carried out.

A member raised concerns regarding the relationship between schools and the PGCE course at Bangor University, noting that he was aware of a school reluctant to offer placements to graduates seeking teaching experience as part of their training and entry into the profession. The Deputy Chief Executive responded that he would follow up on the  specific matter with the member and emphasised that the Island’s schools maintain a strong relationship with the University. He referenced  the CaBan partnership established several years ago  between the university, schools and the regional education consortium which introduced a programme designating certain schools  as leading schools/hubs for teacher training, including schools on Anglesey.

A member also expressed concern that no members of the public were present at the meeting, given the significance of the subject matter. He enquired whether the committee’s meetings receive sufficient publicity.

The Head of Democracy advised that engagement with the public has been a key part of the scrutiny review. While steps have been taken to enhance public involvement, further work is needed and will be undertaken during this financial  year. The committee will receive an update in due course.

Having reviewed the Post-16 Education Provision Engagement Report and received assurances regarding the matters raised, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee resolved to recommend the following for approval by the Executive –

·         To further develop a closer working relationship between the existing providers, and,

• That Officers be authorised to prepare a strategic plan for further developing a closer working relationship between the existing post -16 providers which will attempt to address or mitigate the challenges currently facing post-16 education provision on Anglesey and strengthen post-16 learner entitlement and experience.