Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

None

The minutes of the 13 February 2022 and 16 March where accepted by the Panel.

The Cabinet Member response to the letter from the Panel arising from the 19 January 2023 meeting was noted.

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 Learning, Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education), Amanda Taylor (Headteacher PRU & Behaviour Support Unit) and Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners)

The Panel thanked the Cabinet member for Education and Learning, the Director of Education and the Head of Vulnerable Learners Service for presenting a report and discussing issues raised by the Panel.

The Panel also reflected on their site visit to Maes Derw Pupil Referral Unit on the 16 March 2023.  The Panel at the end of their visit said they welcomed the design and layout of the new facility and were particularly impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of all the staff.  They felt the work at the PRU was inspiring and the Panel appreciated the difference this is making to the lives of some of the most vulnerable pupils in Swansea.

The Panel thanked the Head Teacher at Maes Derw and the Head of the Vulnerable learners service for their written response to the questions asked following the visit to Maes Derw.  The Panel recognised that Maes Derw PRU is just one part of the EOTAS services for pupils and welcomed the update received on the wider EOTAS service.  They will put their views following the session in their letter to the Cabinet Member.

Cllr Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Learning, Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and Rhodri Jones (Head of Achievement and Partnership Service)

The Panel thanked the Cabinet member for Education and Learning, the Director of Education and the Team Manager for Education Strategy for presenting a report and discussing issues raised by the Panel.

The Panel were keen to understand what work is taking place to hear the voices of children and young people about education services and welcomed the comprehensive update provided.

The Panel will detail their views on this session in their letter to the Cabinet Member.

Cllr Robert Smith (Cabinet Member Education and Learning), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and David Bawden (Strategic Co-ordinator for Education Skills, Achievement and Partnership Services)

The Panel thanked the Cabinet member for Education and Learning, the Director of Education and the 14-19 Curriculum Officer for presenting a report and discussing issues raised by the Panel.

The Panel welcomed the progress made by the Swansea Skills Partnership both with regard to building upon relationships with wider education providers and the progress made on the five work streams, as detailed in the report provided.  The Panel will detail their views on this session in a letter to the Cabinet Member.

Councillor Lyndon Jones

The Panel noted the minutes and letter following a meeting of the Partneriaeth Scrutiny Councillor Group on the 13 February 2023.

The Panel reviewed the Work Programme noting the next and last meeting this municipal year will take place on the 11 May 2023.