Agenda and minutes

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None

Minutes of the 21 October 2021 were agreed by the Panel.  Letters from meetings on 30 September 2021 and 21 October 2021 were accepted.

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. 

No public questions were received.

Meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of Morriston Comprehensive School

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.

The Director of Education, will at the next meeting update the panel on progress with the new regional partnership for education.