Decision details

The Director Education and Inclusion presented the report to Cabinet on the stakeholder consultation outcomes on the Education and Inclusion Services Draft Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 and provided Cabinet with the opportunity to contribute to the non-statutory consultation process in respect of the Education and Inclusion Services Draft Strategic Plan for 2021-2024.

Members were advised that the pandemic shone light on the critical and invaluable role that our schools play in supporting our learners, their families, and wider communities. The workforce has worked tirelessly and creatively throughout the pandemic to keep our learners and staff safe, maintaining continuity in learning and supporting the most vulnerable during a period of unprecedented challenge.

Cabinet were advised that the Strategic Plan sets out the direction for the Education and Inclusion Services Directorate and schools for the next 3 years, describing the mission, vision and ambition for schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Members were directed to the stakeholder responses detailed in the Consultation Report and advised that they have been used to inform changes to the revised strategic plan.  In light of the robust consultation processes and extended deadlines, it was therefore proposed that the timescales for implementing the strategic plan are amended from 2021-2024 (academic year) to 2022-2025 (financial year). The updated Education and Inclusion Services Strategic Plan sets out the high-level strategic actions the Directorate will take over the next three years.

The Cabinet Member Education and Inclusion welcomed the report and commented that the strong foundations mean we should have every confidence in realising the ambitious of this plan.  She was pleased to see how the positive engagement had also been developed with stakeholders

She also wished to thank scrutiny for their participation in the process of the delivery of the plan