Agenda and minutes

To receive any formal apologies for absence from Members of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

Apologies were received from County Borough Councillors S. Rees- Owen, L De-Vet, J.Brencher and Voting Co-opted Member R Nicholls .

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee held on 22^nd October 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 22^nd October 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

The Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  The Chair reminded Members that Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis by the Graduate Scrutiny Research Officer

To receive an update on the amount of pupils transferring from Welsh medium provision to English medium provision since the COVID 19 outbreak.

The Head of Service Transformation and Data provided Members with a summary of the movement of pupils in Welsh medium schools as requested in a previous meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

It was explained that in January 2020 the Pupil Level Annual Census suggested that 4220 primary aged pupils and 3141 secondary aged pupils in Rhondda Cynon Taf received their education through the medium of Welsh.

Officers continued and highlighted that in 2019/20, 873 primary aged children moved school within RCT. Members were informed that of this cohort 83 pupils moved into a Welsh medium school (35 moved due to house moves) and 72 pupils left Welsh medium school (24 moved due to house moves), which equated to a net increase of 11 pupils. In relation to Secondary school aged pupils, it was explained that 213 moved school, 6 pupils moved into a Welsh medium school (4 due to house moves) and 15 pupils left (4 due to house moves) which equated to a net reduction of 9 pupils.

Members were also provided with data for the first half of the autumn term for both primary and secondary school movement. Officer also explained that the local authority will continue to monitor the number of learners attending Welsh medium schools and ensure that there are effective plans in place to promote the growth of Welsh medium education across the County Borough.

The Chair thanked the officer for the report and opened up the meeting for Members’ questions and observations.

A Member thanked the officers for the report however raised concerns that the report did not highlight reasons why pupils were moving to English medium schools.  The Member felt there needed to be greater understanding why pupils were leaving Welsh medium schools. Members asked if this was due to a confidence issue as some parents were unable to help with home learning due to the lack of Welsh speakers within the household especially due to home learning through this difficult time. Officers explained that the data shows that on balance that the net number of learners leaving Welsh medium education was very small in the secondary sector and that this trend was not evident at primary. This will be closely monitored over the coming months.

The Director went on to explain that the Council was committed to investing in Welsh Medium education and this will be reflected in the WESP Report which will be presented in the New Year.

Members raised questions in relation to transport and asked whether the authority had been able to draw any conclusion in respect of parents deciding which schools to send their children to and if Covid had influenced these decisions. Members asked if this could be monitored going forward.

The Director of Education and Inclusion continued to explain that as an authority we try and discourage parents from moving schools and maintain continuity where possible. Parents/carers are not required to provide a reasons for a change in school.

It was also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To receive a presentation in respect of the work carried out by the Central South Consortium during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

The Managing Director Central South Consortium thanked Members for the opportunity to present an overview on the procedures the Consortium has put in place to improve and support professional learning along with guidance developed to support blended and distance learning throughout the Pandemic and beyond.

The Managing Director Central South Consortium introduced Officers from the Consortium that were present and continued with her presentation.

It was explained that Covid -19 has dramatically changed education in Wales and the lockdown measurers have impacted significantly on the capacity to deliver face to face learning. The Managing Director presented Members with some of the changes that have been provided to schools and the new procedure put in place.

Members were informed of the work carried out by the Improvement Partners which include:

·         Work with Headteachers to offer timely bespoke support in line with the needs and capacity of each school;

·         School support visits and meetings have had as part of their focus monitoring standards through book looks, learning walks and identifying developmental needs across schools;

·         Some IP’s have taken part in Headteacher and other senior leadership appointments; and

·         Regular wellbeing checks have been made with schools and support provided for schools that have had to manage Covid cases.

The Managing Director also  informed the Committee of work carried out by the Strategic Team, it was explained that staff have been developing guidance and supporting schools in a number of ways some of which are detailed as follows:

·         Guidance on distance, blended and hybrid learning which has evolved as practices and research has developed initially focusing on distance learning, moving into blended learning and then on to supporting schools to ensure continuity of learning. It was explained that the team provides a range of digital support for teachers and schools to ensure that staff and learners can access and use online learning systems.

·           The Strategy for Equity and Excellence has now been published and is guiding school improvement and teaching and learning in schools.

·           Our regional PL offer has been revised and adapted to ensure it is relevant and accessible for schools. This includes e-learning for all areas of PL. The programme is available on the CSC’s website and attendance has been excellent. The team have also ensured that colleagues in the service and LAs have a common understanding of blended learning. This has been supported by our blended learning road map and the variety of webinars held.

·           A repository of direct teaching resources in specific curriculum areas is being constructed and collated where schools and CSC officers can share their resources with practitioners across the region.

·           We have ensured that there is a focus on well-being both in terms of staff and pupil well-being. This has included re-evaluating and reshaping and refocus of the professional learning (PL) offer related to vulnerable learners and well-being. We are also working with on directly with external providers to meet the evolving needs of schools in these high priority areas.

·           The team is also continuing to work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked Officers and Members for their contribution and explained that the next meeting would take place on the 2^nd December 2020 at 5:00pm