Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

None

The minutes of the 27 October 2022 where accepted by the Panel.

The letter to the Cabinet Member arising from the previous meeting was noted by the Panel.

Questions can be submitted in writing to scrutiny@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

No public questions were received.

Cllr Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education), Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners) and Alison Lane (Head of Additional Learning Needs Team)

The Panel thanked Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners) and Alison Lane (Head of Additional Learning Needs Team) for their report giving background to and a position update on Additional Learning Needs Reform in Swansea. They outlined progress to date, successes and challenges, revised strategy and support, post 16, the Local Health Board and early year activity.

The Panel then discussed:

·       Whether the cost neutral for implementation was an optimistic expectation by Welsh Government and is that expectation affecting implementation here.

·       Post 16 and our links with colleges

·       What sort of training is available, how are we and schools managing this and ensuring consistency of approach.

·       How we differentiate between ALN and children that may for example need catch up after covid.

·       How learner support requirements are identified and the length of time to put support in place.

The Panel received a PowerPoint presentation made by Kelly Small (Head of Planning and Resources Team).  The presentation looked at pupil development grant (PDG) use in Swansea schools and outlining progress with Policy Committee supported Cabinet recommendations.  Autumn visits to schools considered school PDG plans as part of that process.

The Panel raised the following points:

·       Projected drop in disposable income for families and the potential increase in the number of pupils needing support and are we prepared for this increase.

·       The use of the PDG grant for individual pupils who may not fall within PDG, if needed, rather than blanket support for pupils receiving the grant.

Cllr Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and David Thomas (Principal School Improvement Advisor)

David Thomas, Principal School Improvement Adviser introduced the report giving background to and outlining current position with the regard to the School Improvement Service.

The Panel discussed the following points:

·       Importance of inspiring children by the world of work was raised, in particular, the opportunities that will and are being afforded by the City Deal.

·       Importance of good links with the higher and further education settings and examination boards.

·       Important to look at what qualifications are needed for the future i.e. Swansea Skills Partnership and their work on digital competency in learners and staff

Cllr Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and David Thomas (Principal School Improvement Advisor)

David Thomas, Principal School Improvement Adviser provided the first of two reports scheduled this year that will outline progress with regard to the introduction in schools of the New Curriculum for Wales.

The Panel asked about the quality and cost of training programme supplied by Partneriaeth, whether is it proving beneficial and cost effective.

Panel Convener

The Panel noted the feedback from the Panel Convener with regard to the Partneriaeth Scrutiny Councillor Group on the 24 October 2022.

The work programme was noted.