Venue: Remotely via Teams
Contact: Michelle Roberts, Scrutiny Officer
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Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests. Minutes: None |
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Prohibition of Whipped Votes and Declaration of Party Whips |
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Minutes and Letters PDF 218 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: Minutes of the 21 October 2021 were agreed by the Panel. Letters from meetings on 30 September 2021 and 21 October 2021 were accepted. |
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Public Questions Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon
on the working day prior to the meeting.
Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Minutes: No public questions were received. |
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School Scrutiny Session 1 - Morriston Comprehensive School PDF 116 KB Meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of Morriston Comprehensive School Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel invited
the Headteacher and Chair of Governors from Morriston Comprehensive Schools to
the Panel meeting to discuss the school’s current performance and prospects for
improvement. The Panel invite a number of
schools to the Panel each year. The Headteacher Mr
Martin Franklyn and the Chair of Governors Ms Alyson Crabb responded to and
discussed with the Panel the questions that were sent to them in advance of the
meeting, namely: 1. How has the school responded
to its most recent Estyn Inspection findings and recommendations for
improvement, including what the school needs to do to improve learner outcomes
and to increase the school’s capacity to improve in the future? 2. How is the school addressing
the implementation of the New Curriculum and the National Mission for
Education? 3. How are you improving the quality of teaching and learning experiences and what impact is that
having on pupil outcomes? 4. What are the barriers to the
school improving its learner outcomes including any challenges they are
experiencing in implementing the new curriculum? 5. How are teaching staff
engaging with the teaching and learning requirements including developing their
own professional learning? 6. What is the school doing to improve
levels of pupil attendance and to minimise school exclusions? 7. What are the governing bodies’
priorities and how are they being addressed? 8. How does the school seek and use best
practice (including sharing your good practice across schools)? 9. How well have you been supported by the
local authority and the school improvement service? The
Headteacher made a PowerPoint presentation to address these points. The following
was noted from the discussion: ·
The
Panel welcomed the overall progress that has been made at the school since the
Estyn Inspection. They were particularly
keen to hear about the progress in relation to the five Estyn Recommendations
contained in that report. Especially the
strong indications that there has been steady progress made in the areas of teaching
and learning, the Curriculum for Wales and pupil behaviour. ·
Whilst
the Panel were encouraged by this progress, they did recognise that it is still
relatively early in the school improvement journey and hope this progress will
be built upon through continued, steady, and consistent improvement going
forward. ·
The
Panel were particularly pleased to hear about: The clear strategies being put in place,
with progress and impact being monitored The changes that have been made to the
Leadership Team so that it can be reflective of the school’s priorities The alignment of the New Curriculum for
Wales, teaching and learning and skills development to the whole school Vision,
therefore building upon the school’s aspirations of ‘Inspire, Engage and
Achieve’ The embedding of positive strategies to
improve pupil behaviour and attitudes to learning Engaging with families and wider
community to improve pupil wellbeing, attendance, behaviour, and attitudes to
learning The use of Education Other Than at
School delegated funding to support pupils with social and emotional
behavioural difficulties who are at risk of exclusion A refreshed governing body who are
clearly aware of their role to challenge but also support the school ·
The
Panel were pleased to hear from the Headteacher that the support received from
the allocated School Improvement Adviser has been excellent, that he has
provided challenge to the school but in a positive way. The Headteacher did emphasise the importance
of a level of consistency with School Improvement Advisers, which he felt has
been necessary and important for the school. · However, concern was expressed about why the issues at the school
were not highlighted at an earlier stage, because the Estyn report was quite clear that the school was only 'adequate' in
all five of the areas inspected in 2020. If they had been, then why was the level of support from the Education department absent
before the Estyn Inspection and if not, how were these indicators missed? The Panel will follow up on this issue. ·
The
Panel heard from the Director that the school has come a long way since the
Estyn Inspection, and she recognised the importance of having a School
Improvement Adviser who is a senior school leader with experience working in
such a school environment to support and challenge the school. She was pleased with the school’s progress
and how they have managed to progress with improvement even through the huge
challenge of Covid. The Panel wish to ensure that the lessons learned from
Morriston are shared with other schools. ·
The
Panel agreed with Cabinet Member and the Director that it is impressive that
the school has been able to continue to improve through such difficult
times. We congratulate the Headteacher,
the Governing Body and staff at the school for their continued hard work in
moving the school forward. ·
From
the Panels discussions with the Headteacher, Chair of Governors, the School
Improvement Advisers, the Director, and the Cabinet Member we are reassured
that all the pieces are in place to address the school’s priorities and in turn
form the basis of continue improvement going forward. |
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Work Programme 2021/2022 PDF 69 KB Minutes: The Director of Education, will at the next meeting update the panel on progress with the new regional partnership for education. |
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