Cymraeg

ModernGov Councillors and Meetings

cardiff.moderngov.co.uk

Agenda item

Central South Consortium - Contribution to raising standards in Cardiff's Schools

  1. Hannah Woodhouse and Huw Davies will introduce the report and be available to answer any questions.

 

  1. Members’ Questions.

 

Minutes:

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.

 

Supporting documents:

 

To request a document in an accessible format please e-mail us.

© 2022 Cardiff Council
We use strictly necessary cookies to allow you to have the best experience on our website. These cookies do not track users.