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.  He noted that the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan measures the effectiveness of the Plan in achieving the 7 Outcome Targets.  The report for 2024/2025 notes the stability of Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 but a decline in Outcomes 4 and 7. 

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Reference was made to Outcomes 4 which notes that there has been decline in the percentage of pupils learning Welsh GCSE first language and more registering for second language GCSE.  Reference was also made to Outcome 7 which notes that there has been a decline in teaching staff able to teach Welsh and teaching other subjects through the medium of Welsh.  Questions were raised as to what the underlying causes of these trends. The Portfolio Member for Education and Welsh Language responded that the focus of education is to help pupils to reach their potential.  He noted that there is currently a Welsh first language and Welsh second language GCSE’s available to pupils.  However, there will changes introduced in two years with Welsh Language and Welsh Literature examinations being combined into one GCSE for pupils in the Welsh medium and bilingual schools and a Welsh Second Language GCSE will be discontinued and a new GCSE in Welsh will be created for learners in English medium settings. He further said that there are national recruitment challenges of teaching staff and specific steps have been undertaken with working closely with Bangor University to highlight the potential opportunities within the education sector.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education said that regular strategic meetings are undertaken with recruitment Officers from Bangor University and representative from the Education School and Psychology School of the University.  Collaborative working is undertaken with CaBan, which is a partnership group working with schools and Bangor University. 

·         Questions were raised as to what additional support will be provided to Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to help them fully achieve their ambitious goal of reaching Category 3 by September 2029.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that the Learning Service is an integral part of supporting Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to gaining wider support for the school.  A WESP Project Group has been established in May 2024, with an extensive focus on establishing a Category 3, Year 7 class, establishing a language centre within the school that also supports teaching of Humanities through the medium of Welsh and a programme of specific support to support the teaching staff.  The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel said that the Education Scrutiny Panel visited Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi and were able to see the willingness in promoting the Welsh language within the school.  Year 7 had confident Welsh speakers, and it is hoped that the progression of the language will extend to Year 8. 

·         Reference was made that 3 schools in the Holyhead catchment area have requested additional support as regards to the Welsh language.  Questions were raised as to the criteria required for other schools on the Island to request additional support in the Welsh language as some schools have pupils from English speaking homes.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that the Learning Service work closely with schools to gather their priorities on an annual basis.  The Learning Service ensures that appropriate provision is put in place to support for individual schools.    Work is undertaken with the Language Charter Officer for Gwynedd and Anglesey to address the individual schools’ priorities. 

·         Reference was made that there seems to be less use of the Welsh language in Years 8 and above in Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.  Questions were raised as to how the Learning Service can overcome these tendencies.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that opportunities for young people to enable them to speak Welsh outside school hours is paramount.   The Primary Senior Manager – Education said that a member of staff from the Language Centre area working within the school and teaching Humanities to increase the capacity of learning within the school.  Further questions were raised that other catchment areas need to be considered for support with the Welsh language as there is a potential for the language to deteriorate.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that a member of the Language Centre can visit any school if they require support.  He noted that the Language Charter supports the use of the Welsh language outside the classroom and school hours.  David Hughes Secondary School has recently been awarded a ‘Siarter Iaith’ Accreditation and other schools will also be trying to achieve this accreditation in the future.  The Deputy Chief Executive said that it is important to note that it is up to each individual school to develop the Welsh language and to afford the best possible education.  Further questions were raised as to whether there are similar problems in the other 4 Secondary Schools on Anglesey as regards to the transition of children from primary schools in relation to the Welsh language.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded following discussions with the 4 other Secondary Schools on Anglesey there has been no specific problems reported but that the matter will also be raised in strategic forums.

·         Reference was made that the Learning Service uses LAEG funds under the Welsh 2050 Grant sub-heading to support language centres and using grant funds to increase the provision for engaging with secondary schools.  Questions were raised as to the risks associated should there be any change to the grant post-2025.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that the LAEG grant funding is an annual grant and it would be advantageous to have assurance for a three-year period to enable forward planning for the Language Centres provision. 

·         Questions were raised as to the waiting time for pupils to be able to attend the Language Centres and the costs associated with transporting children to the centres. The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that there are 40 pupils that are continuously on the waiting-list for access to the Language Centres.  96 pupils attend the Language Centres on a yearly basis. He noted that children that have come to live on the Island have access to the Language Centre.  The staff from the Language Centres attend schools before and after being in the Language Centres.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People said that transporting pupils to the Language Centre is costly and efforts are being made to afford an ‘outreach’ facility to reduce transport costs. 

·         Reference was made that teaching staff should be made aware of the Language Awareness Sessions to enable them to be informed of the history and culture of the Welsh language. The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that the collaboration with the Language Forum is appreciative and language awareness session could be improved for teaching staff. 

·         Reference was made that the report highlights a risk to schools’ capacity to continue effectively immersing and integrating newcomers into the mainstream.  Questions were raised as to the data available to provide a better understanding of the situation.  The Primary Senior – Manager responded that there are 40 pupils in schools as newcomers awaiting access to the Language Centres.  The Language Centre staff during this term have been providing support to every school.

It was RESOLVED to note the update on the Isle of Anglesey Welsh in Education Strategic Plan : 2024/2025 data.

ACTION : That a request be made to Welsh Government that the LAEG grant funding should be for a three-year period to allow for forward planning for the provision of the Language Centres provision.