Agenda item

To enable Members to review and assess plans for the restart of Education from September 2020.

The Chairperson advised that this item enabled Members to review and assess plans for the restart of Education from September 2020.

Joining Mike Tate, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills and Neil Hardee, Head of Services to Schools, Education and Lifelong Learning.

Members were provided with a presentation after which the Chairperson invited questions and comments;

Members wanted to pay tribute to officers, head teachers and staff for all the work on reopening schools by 29 June. 

Members asked if the education service anticipates any particular problems for any school in opening full time for all pupils by the 14^th September at the latest and asked if there are any challenges what are these likely to be and what plans are in place to address these.  Officers explained it will be a big change from 30% capacity social distancing to full capacity so mitigating factors were important such as the ways the schools are set out, using outside space, groupings of pupils etc.  Schools will be supported by Council Officers and Health and Safety; Risk assessments will be signed off; PPE will be available and masks where appropriate such as special schools and where closer contact is needed; physical spacing of desks, open doors/windows etc.  Also the need to know how to report and TTP.

Members asked if there are any schools/ the LA in Cardiff considering reduced school days, and the impact this may have, including issues such as school transport, students being disadvantaged etc.  Officers explained that in some local authorities schools are finishing before lunch.  Cardiff is suggesting staggered start and finish times, breaks and lunches with siblings being allowed to start and leave at the same times to help parents.

Members asked if any lessons had been learned from the 30% catch up check in sessions.  Officers explained that confidence was key, schools needed to be confident and parents need to be confident.  Schools will have a key contact in the council and individual health and safety officers.

Members referred to catch up funding and asked how and when the council will know what to use it for and whether it can be used to help and support teachers for distance learning.  Officers explained that there is £28 million available spread across 2.5k schools.  Discussion will be had with schools on how it is spent, the money will go directly to schools and they can choose how to spend on for example, wellbeing, catch up etc.  Distance learning is now blended learning; tech has been provided where needed.  There will be a need to have consistency with blended learning, working with the challenge advisors and schools, looking at best practice.  There will be a need to monitor KPI’s and change the pedagogy in schools so that they do not slip.

Members asked if there was confidence that teachers are sufficiently trained in spotting symptoms of Covid.  Officers explained there would be ongoing training for staff online; there would be isolation rooms and cleaning regimes.  It was also added that parents/carers have a responsibility to not send any child with symptoms.

Members noted that wellbeing is a priority and part of that is keeping up with peers in the classroom.  Members asked how we could ensure that those who have not engaged with the education service since March are supported in this.  Officers explained that they will know who hasn’t engaged and additional support will be provided to get them to the right place before they start learning again.  There will also be online counselling training for teachers.

Members considered that funding needed to get into the schools as fast as possible and asked of school would be able to go over budget in the hope that the funding will come in.  Officers explained that schools have had additional spending but also some savings such as support staff.  The local authority would look at the school’s position, work with finance officers, look at spending plans and commitments etc. and would be as flexible as possible within the constraints of the Council.

Members asked what assurances can be given on the identification of and support for CYP previously not on radar who have become vulnerable during the pandemic; How will we keep identifying them as more and more families’ situations worsen - be that financial, emotional or health related.  Officers explained that they have asked schools to identify vulnerable learners, a vulnerable learners panel will meet on a daily basis.  Pupils who have disengaged are more difficult to identify, there was a need to look at non-attendance first in September, then make a connection through education welfare support an youth services.  With regard to change in family circumstances, officers explained that over 1000 more free school meals have come into the system and it is anticipated this will grow when furlough ends, which adds vulnerability into the system as well.

Members asked if the LA would be discussing uniform with schools and the guidance on washing it after every day.  Officers explained that there are uniform grants available to those that need it. With regards to having to wear full uniform, each school would look at this within the Welsh Government guidance.

Members asked how many pupils returned to school in June and for those who did not, what engagement has been made with them and how the LA engages with pupils with high risk people in the household.  Officers explained that 69% of pupils who were able to return did; by 14^th September full attendance is hoped for as shielding will have ended.  There won’t be fines, but this time will allow for identifying those who are disengaged and make plans to re-engage with families.

Members asked how confident the authority was that the appropriate consultations have taken place prior to school returning in September.  Officers explained that they meet with trade unions, head teachers and governors regularly and are building on the guidance provided for the restart in June.  It was important to note that the guidance would not be a one size fits all and the authority would work with individual schools.

Members referred to blended learning and asked if schools have been audited on this and whether there are standards and benchmarking.  Officers stated that it was important to reengage with challenge advisors on how they can look at the audit of provision.  Staff now have the technology needed and further training could be provided via the consortium.  There will be wider guidance at a National level provided too.  There are also elements for parents and carers to have training in this area too.

Members referred to exam results and staff having to recommend grades.  Members asked what measures were in place to deal with any challenges and also to help pupils move on to college/university etc.  Officers clarified that the results cannot be challenged, only the information share and whether it was correct.  With regards to higher education, it was important to ensure pupils are aware of all their options.  Officers will be in schools to advise on results day.

Members referred to school transport and the use of PPE and asked if guidance will be provided to pupils through schools.  Officers explained that it was very different guidance to public transport; PPE, masks and sanitisers will be provided, pupils will need to sit forward facing and guidance will be issues to pupils and parents.  For ALN transport in taxi or minibus, there would be chaperones with PPE; this was an important mitigating factor across all settings.

Members asked about payments being made for pupils with free school meals and the risk that some pupils will come to school with no food.  Officers agreed this was a challenge and there was no perfect answer.  Most of the school catering service have been furloughed and no catering provision was available in catch up.  It was difficult to know the physical restrictions in kitchens, H&S restrictions etc.  Primary schools had an advantage in that they can dine in areas used for learning.  There would be two weeks before the 14^th September to work through issues and there was the potential to stagger hours.  If a pupil turns up with no food, schools could have a supply of frozen meals to be able to react appropriately.

With regards to Summer Provision and the Welsh Government having cancelled SHEP; whilst the additional £1m for summer provision is welcomed, Members asked how what is being proposed compares to SHEP, and can this be delivered every summer.  Officers explained that SHEP was really needed this year more than any, but decisions had been made early on to rescind funding.  The local authority has had to react quickly across the directorate and this has been hampered by the fact that staff are exhausted as many have worked in hubs; however it had been surprising how many staff have come forward to help with the summer provision.  It was noted that physical activity was also offered.  Currently only 330 out of 1000 were attending, parents are still anxious.  Officers considered it was not as good as SHEP but it is something and they hoped that attendance would rise.

AGREED – That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.