The Chairperson welcomed Hannah
Woodhouse (Managing Director, Central South Consortium), Nick
Batchelar (Director, Education and Lifelong Learning) to the meeting.
Hannah Woodhouse firstly
apologised on behalf of Councillor Huw David, Chair of the Central
South Consortium Joint Education Service Committee and then
presented the discussion paper on raising standards in Cardiff
Schools.
The Chairperson invited
questions and comments from Members:
- Members were concerned to note that
there was no information in the report in relation to NEET’s
and were advised that there has been focus on NEETs in discussion
with secondary schools and Challenge Advisors have been discussing
alternative provision with Headteachers. It was however accepted that this information is
not contained in the report provided to this Committee.
- Following a question from Members Ms
Woodhouse advised that resource has not been cut to Woodlands, a
school currently in special measures and advised that that
Challenge Advisors were working with the school. The Director advised that the issue was not one of
resource but of the efficacy. The
Challenge Advisors require specialist expertise. Work has been
ongoing to reform the curriculum.
- Members queried whether poor
leadership is being targeted by the Consortium and were advised
that there are programmes specifically designed for new
Headteachers and those who have been Heads for some
time. There is a categorisation process
which identifies schools where leadership and governance is of
concern. Support is also available from other Headteachers. The
Director advised that the Consortium has had a more significant
impact in primary schools; there are reasons for that – a
smaller pool of schools; Challenge Cymru have been more closely
involved; reporting is better; and recruitment has been an issue
but the Consortium does need to be more active in secondary
schools.
- Members referred to the information
provided in relation to the recent categorisation outcomes and
asked for clarification as to how they can be sure that all the assessments carried out tally. The Managing Director advised that she considers
the assessments. Sometimes results can
be read a different way, there is a human element. It should be noted that there is also regional
categorisation.
- The Director advised that he has
challenged the Consortium on information provided for example: the
spend on staffing; the adequacy of Challenge Advisors; the efficacy
of some of the development; and the extent to which they are
embedded in and aligned with other authority areas.
- Members were advised that the
Challenge Advisors are highly skilled professionals, most of whom
have had headship experiences. It is
important that the right people are recruited, they work together,
and that there is quality training. Due to budgetary constraints
there are still difficulties in recruitment for secondary
schools.
- Members asked for information as to
how many Headteachers or Senior Leaders were currently suspended
with full pay. Officers advised that
that information was not currently available. Members were advised that HR support was provided
by the authority and that the Consortium play a role in brokering
any interim leadership, for example the use of a Deputy from
another school and although information as to costs was not
available, any additional leadership would also have to be
funded.
AGREED – That the Chairperson on behalf
of the Committee writes to the Consortium conveying the
observations of the Committee.