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 outlining the School Improvement Guidance : framework for evaluation, improvement and accountability was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that since GwE has come to an end the school support service is the responsibility of the Learning Service.  The emphasis is on self-evaluating and peer to peer working and work has already taken place within the Learning Service as good practices have been established. 

The Strategic Leader (Secondary) gave a brief presentation to the meeting on the Strategic Improvement Guidance which will be implemented in March 2026.  He noted that the document underlines the importance of the collaboration of Tim Môn on Anglesey.  It was noted that the aims and objectives of the document is :-

• Raise awareness of the contents of the report
• Outline the expectations on schools and Governing Bodies
• Outline of the services new structure and how to support the schools
• Local Authority responsibilities

He noted that the draft School Improvement Guidance was published in 2022, but following the termination of the School Improvement Consortia an updated draft was published outlining the responsibilities transferring to the Local Authority.  The aim of the document and Welsh Government is that schools operate as Learning Communities, and that they self-improve which leads to less dependency on central support.  School clusters already work together on Anglesey and collaboration plans have been put in place with Head Teachers and staff scrutinising each other and provide feedback.  The Local Authority focused on support for behaviour, emotional and mental health well-being, ALN, attendances, HR, finance, buildings, Welsh language development and commissioning support for teaching and learning, leadership development and curriculum planning.  The expectations for the implementation of the report by March 2026 were outlined to the Committee and it was noted that substantial work has already been undertaken by the Local Authority to address the expectations within the report.  The emphasis is that schools self-improve and make better use of resources available.  Framework states that schools are held directly accountable for quality of provision and progress of learners by Governing Bodies and Estyn.  Estyn reporting and frequency of inspections is changing with core inspection every 6 years together with an interim inspection every 3 years to inspect progress.  Close working relationships between schools and the Local Authority will provide support based on School Development Plans for improvement priorities.  Effective self-evaluation will be undertaken to gauge continuous progress and improvements and to ensure that schools identify the correct priorities; School Governors have an essential part to ensure that priorities are identified.  The accountability and the role of the Local Authority together with the key messages was highlighted to the Committee which was included in the presentation.

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters :-

·         Reference was made that more responsibilities will be put on Governors of schools due to the new School Improvement Guidance.  Questions were raised whether additional training will be afforded to Governors and whether they are aware of the additional responsibility they will be undertaking.  The Strategic Leader (Secondary) responded that a comprehensive training programme is available to School Governors.  He noted that the Learning Service could attend Governor’s meetings to highlight the expectations within the School Improvement Guidance. 

·         Questions were raised as to whether the voice of the pupils, parents and the community been considered within the Guidance.  The Strategic Leader (Secondary) responded that promoting schools that focuses on communities is a key part of the document to ensure that schools foster strong partnerships with families and communities and support and promote inclusion.  The document highlights the need to engage with children and young people and parents to create a relationship. The Director of Education, Skills and Young People said that there is a clear expectation on the Head Teachers to engage with the community, parents and stakeholders. 

·         Questions were raised whether the new provision will be adequate to address the needs of schools following GwE’s provision coming to an end.  The  Strategic Leader (Secondary) responded that some staff have transferred from GwE to the Local Authority.  He noted that the Local Authority’s staff will continue to visit schools and if additional expertise is required the resource can be provided and a professional development programme is currently being undertaken. 

·         Questions were raised whether the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision will be addressed when the collaboration between Gwynedd and Anglesey will come to an end.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that the new service under the Local Authority will be established and operational by September 2026, and details will be afforded in due course. The Deputy Chief Executive said that the ALN provision is a considerable challenge for the Local Authority and plans will be put in place to address the provision.   Further reference was made that Canolfan Addysg y Bont is full; many children with ALN and intensive needs are within the mainstream schools.  It was considered that the matter needs to be addressed urgently. The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that processes are in place to locate children with ALN in Canolfan Addysg y Bont, for eligible pupils, however, ALN provision is a  national challenge.  The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that additional resources are required from Welsh Government to address the pressure on Local Authorities with regards to ALN provision.  The Deputy Chief Executive said that the Authority will need to put in place a provision for ALN before the joint working with Gwynedd and Anglesey will come to an end in August 2026.   Discussions have undertaken with the Welsh Government Minister for Education raising the issues of ALN provision and funding requirements. 

·         Reference was made that Teaching Assistants are having to provide assistance to a child with ALN requirements together with children that require shared assistance in schools.  It was considered that Teaching Assistants need to be employed for more than a year as children with ALN needs stability.  Questions were raised as to how the Local Authority is planning to address the shortfall of financial resources to address the need to employ staff on a more permanent basis.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that funding is a cause of concern, and the matter has been raised in the WLGA and with the Welsh Government Minister for Education. He said that the Committee had already written to Welsh Government on the matter.   He noted that every pupil should have the same opportunity to reach their full potential. 

·         Reference was made that a high number of new staff have been employed within the Learning Service recently and there is a need for clarity as to whom is responsible for different provisions within the service.    Questions were raised as to whether it is clear who is responsible for certain provision within the Learning Service and could a lack of clarity effect communication and service provision. Further questions were raised whether there have been staff changes within the Welfare Officers posts within the Learning Service as there is a need for consistency whilst dealing with pupils.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that information is being given to schools as regards the changes within the Learning Service.  He noted that there has been changes with Welfare Officers posts as staff have left the service.  

It was RESOLVED :-

·         To note the implications of the national guidance and expectations upon local authorities in contributing to school improvement especially the role of scrutiny;

·         To note the key functions of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (as the designated scrutiny for education matters) to focus its scrutiny activity (through the Education Scrutiny Panel) on measuring the impact of support provided to schools by the Learning Service.