Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosureofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests was declared:

Councillor M A Langstone – Personal – Minute No.31 “Impacts on Teacher Training” – Member of Swansea University Court.

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

Resolved that the minutes of the Education & Skills Policy Development & Delivery Committee held on 8 November 2017 be approved as a correct record.

Joanna Thomas, provided a detailed and informative powerpoint presentation which outlined the rationale and background behind Swansea University’s bid to the Education Workforce Council to become a provider of Teaching Training. The results of which would be announced in June. This would allow a period of time to put in place the appropriate staffing and teaching structures for a Autumn 2019 start.

She stated that Welsh Government had indicated that they required a more research based link for University’s providing Initial Teacher Education (ITE).

As part of the presentation, she outlined and referred to the following areas:

·       What does the future hold – impact of city deal and innovation proposals;

·       What skills will be needed to meet the future challenges – digital competency framework implications and future provision opportunities for teachers and learners;

·       Implications on Future Education Provision – how do we prepare learners for jobs that don’t yet exist;

·       Issues to Bear in Mind – computer limitations, need to promote creativity and critical thinking;

·       Impact on Future ITE – need to be able to ensure that teachers coming into the profession are digitally competent and have both research and problem solving skills;

·       New Partnership Programmes – embedding of digital competence across the school/university provision, importance of thematic approach and need to encourage cross-curricular knowledge;

·       Background to Research/Enquiry Model – robust reflective cycle of activity, embedded research methods for students and staff, importance of sharing ideas/findings/good practice;

·       Key Characteristics of Research/Enquiry Model – cycle of work and partnership programme;

·       Joint Planning and Delivery – programme of theory into practice events, review of teacher effectiveness, effects of deprivation/alternative learning/special educational needs;

·       Coaching for Progression – mentoring scheme amendments/improvements needed to make teachers more resilient, adaptable & supportive, better sharing of good practice with experienced teachers, programme of tools project to encourage coaching rather than mentoring, she reported that funding will be available for teachers seconded onto the programme to be replaced in schools whilst they retrain, welsh language provision;

·       Conclusion – teachers need to be ready and willing to change, more focused & sustained CPD, learner’s attitudes and aspirations need to be changed and raised.

Members and Officers discussed at length the issues outlined in the presentation and outlined that many of the proposals such as digital upskilling, issues around STEM subjects, improvements to teacher training were ones that they had identified and raised in previous meetings, and indicated their support for and welcomed the proposals from the University.

The need to have a more local focus going forward, particularly with regard to the impact of the City Deal was discussed, and the need to feed this local focus into our regional working was outlined.

The Chair thanked Joanne Thomas for her presentation.

Nick Williams and David Bawden spoke in support of the circulated papers which outlined the purpose & role, membership, accountability and ways of working of both the newly reformed Swansea 14-19 & Post 16 Learning Networks.

The structure of the Learning Partnership Executive Group along with information on the four Sub Network Groups was distributed in support.

The workings and outcomes from these groups will be monitored and reviewed after the first 12 months.

They referred to and outlined the funding reductions around the 14-19 curriculum over the last few years, and the reorganisation of Careers Wales which have impacted on provision.

David Bawden indicated that he was in his second year of secondment from Gower College into the role, and had been tasked to examine the current post 16 provision. He referred to the report produced earlier this year “Post-16 Update”.

He indicated that he was working with Gower College, 6^th Forms and Careers Wales to put together a plan and structure to aid communication with schools.

The following topics areas were referred to and discussed: potential impact of “A curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life” (Donaldson), changes to Qualifications Wales, changing focus and direction from Estyn, transition scheme & youth guarantee initiative, impact of city deal and input from regional employment skills plan.

The aims of the working groups to try and improve issues around cooperation between schools, joint/cluster working, common timetable, shared teaching provision were also outlined and discussed.

Members broadly welcomed the proposals to improve partnership working, but re-iterated their views on issues such as the need to promote alternative curriculum/trades, raising aspirations of young people, raising of digital and engineering provision and skills.

Mark Jones outlined his broad support for the aims of the learning networks, but suggested the Authority should go further and strive towards a more focused and sharper set of aims particularly around IT, advanced manufacturing & engineering that take more into account the particular needs of Swansea, given the potential impact and specific needs that the city deal will bring. This would enable the group to have clearer local aims and targets.

Members welcomed the above suggestion and requested that the Chief Education Officer (CEO) consider the matter. The CEO explained we are planning to set up a partnership group to specifically focus on the skills agenda in Swansea. This would link into the Regional Learning Partnership. It would include the Cabinet Member for Education and other appropriate member involvement. 

The CEO indicated he would do this and also report back verbally to the January meeting on the feedback on the city deal, STEM subjects and cluster proposals which were discussed at the recent Secondary Heads meeting.

The Chair indicated that the above suggestion and other areas identified by the committee would be included in the draft cabinet report in the new year, which will reflect the areas highlighted for progress going forward in this area.

The Chair outlined the Workplan for the Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2017/2018.

It was indicated that the representative from Careers Wales may be able to attend the January meeting to input on the 14-19 provision. The draft cabinet report on this area would come forward to committee in the new year.

Resolved that the Workplan as outlined, subject to the comments above be noted.