Agenda and minutes

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The Minutes of the meeting on the 23 November 2023 were agreed 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 Learning and Skills),  Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and Sarah Hughes (Head of Education Strategy)

The Panel thanked Councillor Robert Smith (Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education), Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners) and Sarah Hughes (Education Strategy) for attending the Panel and presenting a writing report giving details about Education performance against identified priorities.  The discussion covered:

·       Progress with recommendations made by the Estyn Inspection of the Local Government Education Service in Swansea in 2022, including Post 16 Education and strengthening Welsh Language provision in Education.  The Panel heard that good progress had been made with both recommendations.

·       Progress against key priorities, some of these include for example:

­   Inclusion strategy

­   Attendance action plan

­   Embedding the requirements of the Additional Learning Needs Reform and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018

­   Reviewing specialist provision

­   Embedding a whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing

­   Support for looked after children

·       The Panel heard that good progress had been made for most objectives and where specific aspects require attention, steps to address these have been identified.

The following issues/questions were raised by the Panel.  A summary of the Panels views on progress made and the responses to their questions, will form part of the letter to the Cabinet Member following the meeting.

·       Panel pleased to see good progress with both Estyn recommendations and asked was there an action plan to support these too and whether that could be included in future update.

·       Who was consulted in the learner voice work, did it include 6^th Form or all Post 16 for example those in vocational education.

·       Possible new special school.  Will travel to the new school have an impact for those using it as it will be based on one site rather that two.

·       Data comparison.  Would it be more realistic to compare current data with that of 2019 rather the last few years at the moment.  Also, a useful measure might be to look at destination indications like those pupils getting their 1^st and 2^nd choice university place.

·       What support is provided to Headteachers both in relation to inspections and more widely.

·       When school is in special measures or Estyn monitoring how does the local authority monitor progress.

·       How does the LA and schools support armed forces children.

·       PISA results, do we have results for Swansea area.

The Panel asked the Cabinet Member and Director to thank both the Education Directorate and schools for their excellent work this year.

Councillor Lyndon Jones updated the Panel about Partneriaeth Scrutiny which included sharing the letter to the Chair of the Joint Committee from the Councillor Group following their last meeting on the 23 October 2023.

The Panel welcomed the update with regard to Partneriaeth Scrutiny and felt it was useful to have copies of the letters.  One of the issues raised in the letter was regarding training, development and support provided by Partneriaeth whether it was available to school governors. 

The Work Plan for 2023/2024 was noted.