Agenda item

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Members queried ethnic attainment gap, particularly the gypsy traveller group and queried the reason why there is no target in the plan and were advised that the annual performance report provides details of the performance of a number of groups.  Strategic Priority 3 refers to the closure of the attainment gap but no specific target group has been referred to at the present time.  Members noted however that the way pupil attainment is changing, particularly at Key Stage 4.  Capped point scores could make the measuring attainment more challenging in the future. 

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Members sought information in relation to the decline in the last 12 months of the attendance of children who are looked after and were advised that the information was not to hand but could be provided.

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Members discussed the EOTAS leaners, querying how those leaners were identified, whether the figures were accurate, the number of hours of specialist teaching provided and how is that monitored.  A point has been made of identifying this group, for purposes of this plan it is done by a point in time count.  There is a register of all the children that are educated other than at school.  EOSTA learners can belong to variety of provisions, those groups are dictated by WG.  We are trying to increase involvement by Challenge Advisors so that there is greater accountability for this cohort of learners which will help to increase the visibility of the performance of that group.  It is identified in the plan as an area for improvement. Children who are looked after (CLA) are referred to in that group of they are educated outside of school.  Children who are electively home educated do not fall within that group, discussions are ongoing with Welsh Government at the present time in respect of that group of leaners and data is being collected.  Accountability is not as strict as it should be at the present time, there are obviously safeguarding to be considered.

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Members wanted reassurance that school leaders have both the time and scope to make sure that, with the introduction of the  ALN legislation and new curriculum for wales, there can be a successful transition.  In respect of ALN and in terms of planning the authority is well placed in readiness for that change.  Work is ongoing with the Central South Consortium (CSC) and Welsh Government (WG) and providing respect of training.  There are some questions, challenges about the responsibilities of schools and local authorities and the capacity to deal with them.  That is being picked up.

In respect of the new curriculum , the draft consultation is being led by WG, it is however something the authority has less control of.  Cluster groups are being arranged and they are presenting opportunities for school leaders to engage in updates on reform.  Natalie Gould is leading on curriculum for CSC, she has provided us with an update on the delivery plan, however it is a complex area.

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Members queried whether there was any further information about the assessment of exams and whether there will be changes within the new curriculum.  The Cabinet Member advised that the initial focus is at primary school level and thereafter changes that will work through the system.  In terms of assessment of the curriculum - it is so different and could get problematic.  The whole accountability and assessment framework is under review and qualifications that schools use.  There will be shift towards measurement of progression of individual learners - individual learning for individual children.  There is no clarity at the present time in relation to KS4.  There has to be clarity in relation to the assessment arrangements for assessment by the time the new curriculum is introduced.

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Members referred to two areas of challenge,  firstly in respect of the volume of work that might be required at the more complex end in putting together plans for individual pupils and secondly some of the vagueness of the terminology leading to differences of interpretation, for example the use of the terms majority and significant.

In terms of the expectation of teachers there will be a huge requirement for additional professional learning.  A grant is being specifically delegated to schools to ensure their readiness for implementation of the new curriculum.

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Members asked about the recruitment of teachers to Welsh Medium Schools, particularly bearing in the mind the recruitment crisis, and what was being put in place to address the shortage.  Work is ongoing in relation to workforce planning and development with the consortium.  It is necessary to ensure that workforce can respond to the need to increase the number of welsh speakers.