Agenda item

To receive an update on the plan.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills), Melanie Godfrey (Director of Education & Lifelong Learning), Richard Portas (Programme Director, School Organisation Planning (SOP)), and Michele Duddrige-Friedl (Operational Manager, Planning and Provision) to the meeting.

Councillor Merry was invited to make a statement, during which she referred Members to the presentation they had received in the previous meeting.

Members were asked to comment or raise questions on the information received. Those discussions are summarised as follows:

·         Members sought information on whether there had been discussions with Welsh Government and other partners about how the availability of Welsh speaking staff might be increased. Members were advised that there had been conversations with Welsh Government and Central South Consortium on this topic. There will also need to be work done with training providers to make significant changes and improvements. Members were further advised that WG will bring out a workforce strategy to increase the number of fluent Welsh speaking staff in Welsh medium schools and staff to teach Welsh in English medium schools. Work is required to gain a firm understanding of the situation in the local area and the reasons for fluent Welsh speaking staff not feeling confident to teach in Welsh. The Council has had discussions with one of the teaching unions who were positive about the experience they could share.

·         Members enquired as to whether there had been engagement with higher education to address the issue of students not using Welsh in their university courses. Members were advised that Cardiff Met is an important partner with regard to their teacher training programme. Members were further advised that the membership of the WESP Board had been increased in order to improve the involvement from the higher education sector. There are in addition other ways to support Welsh speaking teachers. Teaching assistants are able to progress through the graduate scheme. Upskilling the current workforce is important. It is also necessary to consider the wider workforce. Some teachers who were exposed to Welsh medium education may no longer be in Wales and it was important to consider how to encourage them to come to Cardiff.

·         Members enquired as to what discussions had taken place regarding the possibility that there might be a 24% surplus in English medium places. Members were advised that it would be necessary to put long-term plans in place as the situation develops. It will be a challenge over a 10-year period to meet the targets set out.

·         Members sought information on the strategies involved around transition points for example from nursery to reception. Members were advised that the Council has moved from responding to demand to stimulating demand as part of its strategy to encourage Welsh medium education. A range of clear information is essential so that people can make informed choices. Parents need to be able to see the journey from nursery through primary to secondary education. Where parents have chosen to put their children through Welsh medium education at whatever point there needs to be reassurance about the level of support both within school and wider support mechanisms around the school to support language acquisition both formally and informally.

·         Members sought information on whether patterns of take up were consistent across the city. Members were advised that there are certain areas where there is a much greater level of Welsh medium demand and other areas and communities with a lower take up. There is a need for in depth consideration and engagement activity to understand why those communities consider Welsh medium education is not appropriate for them.

·         Members sought information about parental support in relation to Welsh language learning. Members were advised that there is a certain level of classes offered currently. In addition to family Welsh lessons, people are able to access Welsh learning through employment. The Council would want in association with further education and other partners to expand the opportunities available.

·         Members discussed the importance of spreading the availability of Welsh medium education across the city. Members were concerned that an opportunity had been missed with the construction of new schools in new communities to go beyond the 50% target. Members were advised that the principle that was outlined was at least 50%. In relation to the LDP a range of options could be considered, including dual stream or all Welsh medium. A higher provision is not precluded. The target across Cardiff is 40% which is a national target. The Council would be looking at the demand from communities. The current plan is the first 10-year plan on the road towards achieving the 2050 target. The Council would expect the establishment of Plasd?r schools with dual language provision to have an impact in regard to what families want and move the community along the bilingual continuum in a way they had not anticipated. The development of the model is expected to challenge perceptions about what English medium education may offer, combined with the national curriculum changes.

·         Members reiterated their concern that it might be easier to make Welsh medium education more widely available in new schools in new communities. Members were advised that school plans would come forward over time. While the intention is to encourage the take up of Welsh medium education it would not be possible to build only Welsh medium schools if there is not the level of demand within communities. It is also important not to undercut existing Welsh medium schools. The at least 50% target gives a degree flexibility.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations during the way forward.