Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared

To agree and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October be agreed as a correct record subject to Councillor L V Walton’s name being added to the list of apologies.

The Chair reported on the scoping exercise undertaken by Members of the CAC on 21 October.

The question asked by the Cabinet Member for the CAC to look at, the potential lines of inquiry and the possible evidence gathering to be undertaken were detailed in the agenda papers.

He indicated that Mike Jones and Emma Pike from the Education Department had been invited to the meeting to provide some background details, assistance and some statistical information that the CAC may find useful during its review.

Mike Jones distributed statistics and information relating to

·       Vulnerability Assessment Profile(VAP) 2015 and Guidance Notes.

·       Summary of Key Stage 4 Qualifications

They referred to the large amount of data and information contained within these statistics including the following areas:

·       Stats for all Comprehensive schools

·       Key Stage 4 qualifications

·       Level 1, 2 & 3 thresholds

·       Current trends of improving performance

·       Swansea 6^th current place compared to other Welsh Local Authorities

·       Recent positive Estyn inspection feedback

·       Expansion of VAP across Wales

·       Pupil scoring and criteria used

·       Use of SIMS and INCERTS system in schools, and associated costs

·       Plans for new one stop shop for school queries and new training programmes

·       Varying use of VAP by schools

·       Tracking of young people up to the age of 18

·       Issues with NEETS and associated links to alternative curriculum,  low attendance, LACs not in foster care, statemented children

·       Youth Service involvement

·       Use of UCAS progress system

·       Change in EOTAS provision

The detailed information and statistics were discussed by Members at length, who asked questions of the Officers who responded accordingly.

The following area were discussed as potential topics and areas for further discussion by the CAC during their review:

·       What do schools use the NEET statistics and SIMS  for and how can this be expanded and better utilised

·       Current examples of good practice within Swansea and in other Welsh local authorities

·       Ask schools how can NEETS be reduced

RESOLVED that

1) Simon Evans(Head of EOTAS)  be invited to a future meeting of the CAC

2) a special meeting of the CAC be arranged prior to the next scheduled meeting in December if required.