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 was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that the Digital Education Strategic Plan contributes to the development of a modern education system.  The current plan expired in 2024 and therefore it is necessary to establish a new plan for the next period.  The requirement for IT equipment in schools has increased over the years and it is important that they reach the current requirements

In considering the report the following main issues were raised:-

·     Reference was made that the reports refers that the Council has earmarked a sum to fund the Strategic Plan, however, it is unlikely that the funds currently earmarked will be sufficient.  Questions were raised as to the implications on the Plan is there is insufficient funding and what is the shortfall the Council is facing. The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that funding has been earmarked for part of the Strategic Plan, however, there is currently a lack of funding to achieve the Plan.  Discussions will have to be undertaken to ensure that additional funding can be sourced and data will need to be used to ensure that any funding will be targeted towards the needs of the schools. Investments will need to be made in equipment and infrastructure.  He noted that the Executive has approved funding for the current financial year, and the gaps will need to be investigated in the future.  The Chief Digital Officer said that work has been undertaken to gauge the possible deficit and infrastructure requirements with cost implications due to continued upgrading of equipment.  Engagement with schools will be required to gauge their needs to ensure that the curriculum is met.

·     Questions were raised whether information will be gathered as to the IT skills of school’s staff before the Strategic Plan is implemented.  The Strategic Leader (Primary) responded that staff skills are monitored, and Digital Co-ordinators  gather the data with regards to the needs of development skills within the primary catchment areas which was part of the previous Plan. 

·     Questions were raised as to how the performance of the Strategic Plan will be monitored of the period of 2026-2031.  The Strategic Leader (Primary) responded that in the primary sector there will be a need to develop support in respect of STEM subjects with secondary networks that support the upskilling and share good practice with each secondary schools.  This is part of the development of a self-developing system.

·     Questions were raised whether sufficient provision has been put in place following Cwmni Cynnal coming to an end in 2022.   The Chief Digital Officer responded that transfer provision to the Authority following Cwmni Cynnal coming to an end in 2022 has been a considerable change for schools and Council staff who have been used to receiving the service from Cwmni Cynnal for many years.  He noted that consultation has been undertaken with schools to gauge their requirements and to make sure that school’s IT provision is sufficient.  

·     Questions were raised as to whether the digital platform could support children with reading and numeracy difficulties.  The Strategic Leader (Primary) responded that there is a need to look at the digital element that supports the curriculum and enrich the provision for learners. 

·     Questions were raised as the number of Chromebooks and iPad’s that are currently within schools and how many are unaccounted for.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that devices management is a joint provision between the Learning and IT Departments and the schools. The Deputy Chief Executive said that it is the responsibility of the Head Teachers and the Governing Bodies to ensure that IT devices should be accounted for within the schools.  Further comments were made that it is important that pupils use the Chromebooks provided and that Teachers use the technology to provide educational lessons.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that a Steering Group has been established, chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive, who will be ensuring clear governance and monitoring arrangements; feedback from the Steering Group will be afforded to the Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language. 

·     Reference was made to sharing of good practices occurring within schools, with two schools investing in a mobile phone to receive text messages from parents.  A Google platform was also used for the transition of pupils from Year 6 to Year 7 for pupils to share their concerns and experiences with the transition into the secondary schools. 

·     Reference was made that some schools use different digital systems and some pupil’s data are missing.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that a new Management Information System will be introduced within the next 18 months which will result in more consistency with the systems school’s use.  The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that it is concerning that comments have been made that pupil’s data is missing.  He noted that all schools have a GDPR policy and have received training on data protection. 

·     Questions were raised as to how the Strategic Plan will be monitored regarding closing the gap for disadvantage learners.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that there is a need to ensure that every pupil can access digital devices.  The established Steering Group will be monitoring the provision.  The Digital Strategic Plan will be a data driven and regular reporting will be given to the Leadership Team and how the gaps are reduced within digital services in schools.

·     Questions were raised as to the main risk as regards to cyber security within schools.  The Chief Digital Officer responded that cyber security risk increases with the increased devices in schools.  He noted that there has been an assessment of the cyber security risk within the Authority and schools which include ransomware with files being lock and the Council facing ransom risks.  Plans are in place to mitigate the risks and to ensure that updates and firewalls have been installed on devices.

·     Reference was made to the announcement that new SMR’s will be built on the Wylfa Site and that Anglesey has been identified as an AI growth zone.  Questions were raised whether potential partnerships have been identified as regards to the AI growth zone and whether investment from both governments will be afforded to improve the digital skills on the Island.  The Chief Executive responded that there is a need to know what the identified AI growth zone potential in the first instance; it is hoped that the AI investment will be part of the Freeport status.  He said once the Freeport status has been signed, engagement will be undertaken with key partners such as Coleg Menai and Bangor University to ensure that the educational courses align with the expectations of potential employers for the next generation. 

·     Questions were raised whether there is a potential for pupils to be educated on how to use of mobile phones safely and to use recommended digital platforms within the school environment.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that the use of mobile phones within the school environment is a matter for the Governing Bodies of the schools. 

·     Reference was made that the digital technology is continuing to develop with upgraded technology occurring on a regular basis.  Questions were raised as to the risk associated with the lack of funding available to continue to upgrade systems to ensure that pupils can take advantage of every opportunity to be able to compete for employment opportunities in the future.  The Chief Digital Officer responded that it is a challenge to be able to upgrade systems on a continuous basis.  He noted that the Authority is fortunate to be part of the Welsh Governments’ Hub Team which has representatives from each local authorities in Wales who discuss new technologies, new trends and processes in addressing the AI technology and potential funding provision.

·     Reference was made that some pupils do not have access to the internet within the home environment.  Questions were raised as to how these pupils are going to be supported if there is more learning provision to be undertaken online.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that it is important that schools identify the support for every pupil when work is set online. 

It was RESOLVED to accept the contents of the Digital Education Strategic Plan for the period 2026-2031.