Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Approved

Resolved that the Minutes of the Education & Skills Corporate Delivery Committee held on 27 July 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chair referred to the excellent results of the recent Estyn inspection undertaken in Swansea.

He praised the Cabinet Member, Director and all her staff for the hard work undertaken and the superb results achieved.

For Information

Sarah Hughes referred to the circulated report that presented the committee with comprehensive additional information relating to the Department as requested at the previous meeting.

Helen Morgan-Rees and Rhodri Jones spoke in support of the circulated report and indicated that following on from the excellent Estyn inspection the information contained in the report was a basis to move forward and progress in line with local, regional and national initiatives and ideas.

Further to the discussions at the previous meeting they outlined information regarding additional potential areas for inclusion in the draft work programme for 2022-2023, particularly around the current position relating to programmes aimed at strengthening school leadership and professional development for all school staff. The already strong provision and programmes in place is one that could be built on and improved going forward.

The challenges facing many schools in both retaining senior staff and encouraging staff to apply for the most senior positions was outlined and discussed.

Also included in the report was detailed information relating to the condition of older schools in Swansea, differing categories of schools (A-C), the number of schools in each category, environmental issues and carbon reduction strategy, investment in new schools and ongoing capital maintenance programme, establishment of a schools forum on climate change and the details of the numbers of catering/cleaning and school crossing patrol staff employed across the City.

Councillor Robert Smith also spoke further to the circulated report and officers comments and indicated that the report summarised well the current position of where the authority is relating to staff & leadership development.

Members of the committee asked various questions of the Officers and Cabinet Member relating to information outlined in the report and relating to issues around topic areas including improved support for governors, the energy crisis and implications for school budgets, staff retention and filling of senior leadership roles, potential for removing of unnecessary bureaucracy, getting feedback from headteachers or a potential survey and/or attendance and evidence gathering at future meetings by Heads, sharing current good practice by school clusters, utilising existing & established groups and forums to seek feedback from the most senior staff.

The Cabinet Member and Officers responded accordingly and outlined that regular feedback is received from schools on areas like ALN, SLAs and IT agreements. Further work and details would be needed on what information the committee would be seeking from any potential survey.

The Cabinet Member indicated that himself and Officers would report again verbally at the next meeting on the issues around improving school leadership.

Agreed

The Chair spoke further to the circulated draft work plan.

He proposed that the following amendments to the plan:

Oct & Nov - Strengthening School Leaders.

Dec – Attendance & Inclusion.

refer feedback on previous PDC report to Education Scrutiny.

Jan - Attendance & Inclusion.

Feb & March – Strengthened & Effective School Governance.

Members of the committee supported and agreed to the revised work plan.