Agenda item

To receive the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion Services regarding the outcome of the recent consultation in respect of the proposal to enhance Welsh medium Learning Support Class (LSC) provision within Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT).

The Head of Inclusion presented the report to  advise Members of the outcome of the recent consultation in respect of the proposal to enhance Welsh medium Learning Support Class (LSC) provision within Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT).

The Consultation Report, prepared in respect of this proposal, is attached at Appendix 1 for your attention. It contains information in respect of meetings held to discuss the proposal, with copies of the notes taken at these meetings; it contains Estyn’s full response to the proposal and the appropriate clarification to the response; it also contains a summary of the online survey responses received during the consultation period and where required the appropriate clarification to any issues raised.

It must be noted that there has been a positive response to this particular consultation process with 31 written responses being received via the online survey which was available on the RCT website for the duration of the consultation period and 1 formal letter. Due to COVID restrictions, meetings with the community could not be held. However, a virtual meeting was held with the staff and governors and a face-to-face consultation was undertaken with the School Council. 

Out of the 32 responses received, 28 were in agreement with the proposal, 2 respondents were not in agreement and 2 were unsure. The responses were overwhelmingly positive and in favour of the proposal to establish a Welsh medium Learning Support Class at Ysgol Garth Olwg to support pupils with significant additional learning needs.

The consultation process in respect of this proposal has been undertaken under the arrangements outlined in the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code, which was introduced on 1st November 2018, replacing the previous Code introduced in October 2013. These arrangements stipulate that a Consultation Report must be prepared prior to the publication of any Statutory Notices which will progress the proposal. It further states that Statutory Notices must be published within 26 weeks of the end of the consultation period, which is 22^nd August 2022 in this instance

The Statutory Notice for this proposal will refer to:

·       The opening of a Learning Support Class for pupils with significant additional learning needs at Ysgol Garth Olwg with effect from 1^st September 2022

If agreed, and subject to the matter not being called in for consideration by Scrutiny, the Statutory Notice will be published on 4^th April 2022 and will allow for a minimum 28 day period for objections, ending on 11^th May 2022.

The Cabinet Member Education and Inclusion commented that it is good to see a positive result from the consultation and that the proposal will increase learning opportunities for our Children and Young People

The Deputy Leader added that the Authority engages with many stakeholders on the proposals and the majority were very supportive and in favour and it is right that we have a Welsh Medium Additional Learning Needs facility available for learners.

1.     To note the information contained within the Consultation Report, which includes a summary of correspondence received during the consultation exercise, including the full response from Estyn, feedback received from the online survey, and notes of the meetings held.

2.     To progress the proposal to enhance Welsh medium Learning Support Class (LSC) provision within Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) by issuing the appropriate statutory notice to open a Key Stage 3/4 LSC for pupils with significant Additional Learning Needs (ALN) at Ysgol Garth Olwg accommodating 14 pupils.