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 Minutes: None |
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Minutes and Letters PDF 180 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes were approved and the letter accepted for the 9 December 2021. |
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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 2 - Penyrheol Comprehensive School PDF 115 KB In attendance will be Headteacher and Chair of Governors from Penyrheol Comprehensive School Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel met with the Headteacher Damian Benney and the Chair of Governors Jeff Bowen from Penyrheol Comprehensive School to discuss the school’s performance and improvement journey. The following was noted: ·
The Panel thanked the
Headteacher for his detailed overview and for his answers to our set of
questions that were sent to the school in advance of the meeting. ·
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 being made in relation some of the Estyn
recommendations contained in that report. Especially the progress that has been
made in the areas of literacy and numeracy and planning to address teaching and
assessment. ·
The
Panel were pleased to hear about: The clear emphasis on improving teaching
and learning right across the curriculum Getting pupils to think more deeply
about the subject content as part of their writing by directly aligning the
teaching of writing and the development of writing across the curriculum The use of positive strategies to
improve pupil behaviour and attitudes to learning The Interim School Improvement Plan
clearly focusing on pupil wellbeing and behaviour The recognition of the importance of
ongoing professional learning and development for all teaching staff Willingness to work with, as well as
share knowledge, learning and experience with other schools The use of researched and evidence-based
initiatives and interventions A positive and enthusiastic acting
Headteacher who is showed he is happy to work with other schools and the local
authority in order to improve outcomes for pupils A strong supportive governing body who
are clearly aware of their role to challenge but also support the school. ·
The
Panel heard that many of the senior management positions at the school are
currently temporary or in an acting capacity.
·
The
Panel were concerned to hear about the increase in behaviour related issues
since the start of the pandemic but were encouraged to hear that the school has
been using a number of different strategies to address this and they thanked
the Headteacher for his honest assessment of the situation. ·
The
Panel Heard that the School Improvement Plan is currently an interim one, with
the purpose of working through the pandemic with a clear focus on wellbeing and
behaviour. They also heard from the Director that there is also a positive
behaviour strategy in Swansea and the success of this depends very much on how
this works in practice and that ongoing input to improve this through
experience learned is very welcome. ·
The
Panel were encouraged to hear from the Headteacher, that the support received
from the from the local authority, has been excellent including from Human
Resources, Payroll and Finance. He also said that the allocated School
Improvement Adviser has been excellent in supporting him, the school and in
providing positive challenge. He also felt the support from other
Headteachers in Swansea and the development opportunities offered to him, as a
new headteacher, have been superb in helping him to develop in his new
role. ·
The
Chair of Governors said that the collaboration between schools in Swansea was
impressive. ·
The
Panel were pleased to hear that the school is sharing and using best practice
through the use of the many networks and support open to them. · The Panel congratulated the Headteacher, the Governing Body and staff at the school for their continued hard work in moving the school forward, especially given the difficulties and challenges caused by the pandemic. |
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Work Programme 2021/2022 PDF 69 KB Minutes: The Panel meeting on the 24 March at 4pm has been brough forward and will know take place on Tues 15 March at 2pm. |
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