Agenda item

·        

Members queried impact of the new curriculum and the role of the consortium on the vision for 2030.  The Director advised that the consortium delivers training and development functions through various grants; they work largely with teachers, however, half of the workforce in schools are not teachers and it is important that the consortium services local authorities well. 

The consortium is an important vehicle for Cardiff to realise its ambitions in relation to Education, whilst it is the remit of this Committee to scrutinise the authority, it is also necessary to scrutinise and call other providers to account. 

·        

Members discussed Welsh Government funding for the new curriculum which appears to concentrate on funding for the training of staff and were advised that there may be some funding from Welsh Government for ICT, infrastructure and equipment.  Cardiff will require significant investment for that and it will need to be across the whole school estate. There will need to be an audit very soon.

·        

Members sought clarification about the university style education for some years being proposed and were advised that the point of the debate about 2030 is to challenge what education may look like.  Schools have not fundamentally changed in their organisation over the last 150 years.  The traditional class room setting is not necessarily the answer for the future. The Open University model of remote learning has been in existence for some time and could be applied in creative ways, for example learners who are not able to be in school for health reasons.

·        

Members discussed the impact of Qualification Wales on the Cardiff 2030 vision and the new curriculum. It was noted that they were closely involved, assessment is an important part of the process.  There has to be an appropriate fit between the approach to learning that is being developed and the assessment at 16.  Consideration is also being given to post 16 learning, it is not wise to have a radical approach to learning and assessment up to 16 and then revert back to the old system in relation to further education.

·        

Members expressed concerned about the mental health and well-being of pupils particularly on the basis of the increase in the use of tutors.  It is a pressure on pupils.  Officers were also concerned that if there is a proliferation of tutors serving communities, the tutoring could be compensating for mediocre teaching. 

·        

Members discussed post school learning and adult education.  It was noted that Cardiff 2020 focussed on statutory schooling and for some secondary school was not always fruitful.  It is important to have pathways to re-enter learning, the Council have been working with a group of young people to support them back into training or employment.  Some of the pathways are not a priority in terms of funding, however, the Council has a responsibility to use some government funding to adult learning.

·        

Members discussed the engagement with parents for Cardiff 2020 and noted that there is now much wider engagement with young people and parents.

·        

Members were advised that work is being done with ISOS, who provide advice in relation to education, to formulate the thinking for Cardiff 2030.

·        

Members discussed where the comparators and should be, and whether they should be local or global.  Officers indicated that England and Wales are vastly different; the reality is that we should be pushing ourselves as far as we can.  Given that Cardiff is the capital city there are a large number of opportunities. 

·        

Members discussed the importance of governance. The governance framework is not going to change in the near future and that new ways of governance should be developed within the existing legislative framework for example ensuring that good strong Governors are appointment to the Governing Body and that that Body is representative of the community.