Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Learning in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Learning in relation to the above.

The Head of Learning reported that the main purpose of the report is to discuss the schools standards progress 2015/16 academic year.  It is expected that Anglesey should rank 10^th out of the 22 local authorities in Wales with regard to performance indicators set out be Estyn.  

Mr. Elfyn V. Jones, GwE  - Senior Challenge and Support Adviser gave an overview of the performance with regard to the whole of the National Curriculum for Wales key stages of the local authority. 

Foundation Stage Assessment

The main indicator for the Foundation key stage is disappointing as Anglesey has fallen below the target in each category in comparison to National performance levels; this places the local authority significantly lower than expected for the 2015/16 academic year.  However, he noted that during the Estyn Inspections to various schools these target levels were not highlighted as concerns. 

The Chief Executive referred to the data presented to the Committee which stated that Anglesey Schools, in the foundation stage was 21^st out of 22 local authorities with regard to the Welsh language.  He expressed regarding the validity of the assessment.  He said that every effort should be made to ensure that end of foundation phase assessments were valid and reliable.

Key Stage 2 Assessment

The key stage 2 performances is lower than in 2015 but is still 2.7% above the targets set with Anglesey 9^th of all the authorities in Wales. 

Key Stages 3 and 4 Assessment

The key stage 3 performance is higher in Anglesey than the Wales benchmark set by Welsh Government. 

There are positive aspect with regard to the performance of key stage 4 performance on Anglesey but the Senior Challenge and Support Adviser expressed disappointment overall as the secondary schools are in a slightly in a lower position in most of the key indicators as the national increase has been higher.   None of the 5 secondary schools on Anglesey have achieved the 70% threshold above the main indicators set by Welsh Government however 3 secondary schools achieved this in Welsh, English and Mathematics.  

Members raised the following matters:-

·      Questions referred to the fact that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held in February, 2016 were assured that processes for the assessment of children in schools and standardising data would be put in place together with  training being afforded for teachers to raise standards in the Island schools.   The Senior Challenge and Support Adviser responded that Challenge Advisors are now working differently in schools to improve standards within the various key stages. These individuals are currently training teachers and have been empowered to visit schools more frequently to tackle problems that have been identified.  Discussions have been undertaken with Headteachers with regard to the expected targets that have been set out this year and a more robust challenging programme has been set up to improve the performance in the key stage levels.  The Head of Learning also pointed out that improvement is incremental and that schools and Headteachers, and elected members in their role as governors are also responsible for ensuring that standards improve in schools.

·      Questions were raised as to the size of classes and whether teachers are afforded adequate time to plan/prepare for lessons and whether there is a lack of capacity within the management team within the Island schools to allow for forward planning.  The Head of Learning responded that workload can be more challenging to manage for Headteachers that have little non-contract time in smaller schools, and where they also teach two or three year groups taught within a classroom.  The Head of Learning further said that there is an expectation within teachers’ working terms and conditions that every teacher received 10% PPA ‘non-contact hours’ for Planning, Preparation and Assessment and that they should be afforded this facility every week; she was not aware that this was not afforded at any school on the Island;

·      Questions were raised whether best practice is shared between better performing schools and other schools who are not necessary achieving the performances expected.  The Head of Learning said that there is a mechanism in place for staff of underperforming schools to share the best practise of better performing schools within a training and coaching programme; brokered through GwE;

·      Questions were raised as to the difficulties experienced by most local authorities to appoint leadership/Headteachers in schools and how this authority is addressing this issue.  The Head of Learning said that discussions have taken place with GwE representatives to recognise individuals who have shown potential and talent to become leaders of schools when the situation arises.  Individuals within schools have already been identified as having potential and the local authority is at present drawing up a programme in order to mentor these individuals on the required management and leadership skills in collaboration with GwE;

·      The Portfolio Holder for Education said that as Governors of schools there is a responsibility to make sure that the best education is afforded to pupils and governors must also be willing to challenge performance of schools.   He questioned how GwE is addressing the issues to make the schools more proactive in tackling underperformance.   The Head of Learning stated that 3 schools who were underperforming had utilised 40% of the GwE school improvement resources in the last academic year, and the Senior Challenge and Support Adviser gave an example of the working programme put in place by GwE for 3 schools that were identified within the red/amber of the new Welsh Government categorisation system, which the scrutiny committee had examined in October 2016.  GwE afford training programmes, presentations to Headteachers, scrutinise the work of the schools and invite schools who perform well to share good practice across the Anglesey and Gwynedd GwE hub.  He extended a welcome to any elected member to accompany a Challenge Advisor to attend schools that needed support.

It was RESOLVED to note the report.

ACTION: As noted above.