Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

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

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

Katie Miller (PACE Co-ordinator) and Jennifer Ford (Headteacher) from Pentrehafod Comprehensive gave Members a presentation on the PACE project that is in operation at the school. The presentation followed on from the site visit undertaken to the School by Members in September.

They gave a detailed and informative power point presentation to the Committee, which included information on the following areas:

·       The background history, context and overriding principles behind the development and introduction of the scheme

·       The main ambitions of the scheme

·       The identification and referral mechanisms for pupils

·       The early and continuing intervention provisions, better tracking and monitoring of both academic achievement and social welfare issues

·       Key Stage 3 provision and identification of trigger points

·       Key Stage 4 provision and positive use of venue outside of school premises

·       Year 7/8 nurture provision and extra support

·       Positive outcomes and impact of the scheme on attendance, qualifications, social wellbeing etc

Members asked questions of the Officers who responded accordingly, particularly around the following areas:

·       importance of alternative curriculum

·       development of young people’s social skills and general wellbeing

·       dramatic increase of attendance of the young people involved in the scheme from around 60% to in excess of 90%

·       importance of building pupils aspirations

·       increase in academic qualifications

·       all KS4 pupils getting post 16 provision offers

·       young people’s involvement in local community projects

·       no young people involved in the scheme ended up as NEETs

·       proposals for the continuance and development of the scheme as part of the schools wider refurbishment programme

·       “whole” school improvement from scheme

·       project being seen as good practice and copied/ implemented in other schools

·       current diversity and make up of school

·       need to continue to develop and strengthen links with feeder primary schools and parents

Wendy Williams (Careers Wales Area Manager for Swansea, Neath Port Talbot & Powys) gave an verbal presentation to Members on the background work carried out by the service with young people across the area.

She referred to the major funding and organisational changes that the service had undertaken in the past few years. She indicated she would circulate further details of the revised service to Members electronically following the meeting.

She stated that the service now concentrates on young people that are most at risk of becoming disaffected/NEET.

The service uses both the VAP data, and the Year 10 Career Check Survey as a starting point for providing enhanced one to one guidance and support. This expert advice and support can be provided in person, by telephone and via the internet.

Careers Advisors now generally look after two or three schools but continue to give support to pupils and parents via careers/parents evenings etc, this is supported by the Careers and World at Work advisors.

She detailed the links the service has with employers and referred to the feedback they give regarding young people’s employability skills. The involvement with the new Business Class pilot scheme, which four Swansea schools are involved in, was also outlined. This scheme has a three year commitment.

She referred to the Opportunity Awareness Scheme for Apprentices and work based learning that they promote and the involvement of young people who also promote and explain such schemes to their peers as an alternative to college/university.

She also referred to and distributed information on the Cynnyd scheme that is delivered via European Funding across the area.

The services involvement in providing assistance and information to Tier 3 young people who have left school and are seeking employment or training was also outlined, such as visits to local firms, mock interviews, assistance with application forms etc.

The recently established Tackle Project with the four regional rugby regions was also outlined.

Members discussed the issues raised and asked various questions of the officer who responded accordingly.