Agenda item

Following a meeting of the Education and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee held on the 22 January 2024, the Committee concluded to defer consideration of the WESP to a future Committee meeting.  Following discussions with the Chair of the Education and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (And in-line with the Overview & Scrutiny Procedural Rules), members are asked to scrutinise and challenge the Annual Work Plan. Members of the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee have been invited to attend for this item of business.

The Chair welcomed Officers and Members of the Education and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee to the meeting who had been invited to attend the meeting to give their contributions on this item. 

The Director Education and Inclusion presented the report to Members to provide an update on the implementation and the progress of the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2022–2032

The Director continued that The Council’s Annual Review Report for year one of the WESP was submitted to Welsh Government for consideration on 31st July 2023.  Feedback from Welsh Government on the report was received on 14th November 2023. The feedback received was largely positive.  There has been further notable progress made in a number of areas since the report was prepared and submitted to Welsh Government in July 2023 which were listed in the report

Members were invited to provide their observations and feedback on the report

A Member raised concerns of the staffing issues in Welsh Medium Education, particularly in the ALN area and stated that Welsh Government need to do more to promote Education as a profession, particularly amongst welsh speakers.  The Member commented that the Authority could provide support in this area to ensure the language and the education profession is better promoted, such as working with schools and colleges to encourage pupils to study welsh at 6^th form.

The Director Education and Inclusion acknowledged that the Workforce is a challenge, not only in the Welsh Medium sector but also the English.  The Director agreed there needs to be a national approach to tackle this as this is a national problem and there needs to be a systemic approach to fast tracking people into the welsh sector and to think creatively how we encourage welsh speakers as a career option. She continued that in RCT we have options of volunteering in schools as part of work experience settings for those who are considering this path but acknowledged that it needs to be strengthened. 

A Member noted from the report that there is investment in welsh medium education in the south of RCT and stated that they would like to see a development and progression schedule looking at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda

The Director Education and Inclusion advised that investment if guided by where the priority is the greatest and where we need to address surplus capacity and pressure points and they are in the process of considering the next 9 years and will be sharing our plans with Welsh Government soon once the review and priority schedule has been agreed. The Service Director 21^st Century Schools advised that Cwm Rhondda is part of the Band B Programme and is part of the Strategic Outline Programme with Welsh Government.  She confirmed that a feasibility study has been undertaken and they are working with urban designers to manage the site.  She continued that it is a challenge to find a site big enough to house a new secondary school.  The Service Director continued that they are also working on the Special School with a feasibility study in the works and moving it forward with Welsh Government. She added that school places are demand led and the location of welsh schools is looked at together with some new substantial housing developments where welsh medium schools are encouraged in those areas.

A Member commented that they would like to see more about the Eistedfodd and what work the Council are doing to support staff to improve their welsh language skills so pupils are able to hear the welsh language all throughout their schooling.  The Member asked when will we see proposed schedule to address the actions

A Member asked are we where we thought we would be and what do the targets look like for this annual report. Another Member added the subject of targets was previously raised by Members and would like to see more smart targets added for the ease of reading for Members.

The Director Education and Inclusion advised that the overarching target is a 10% growth in the number of welsh speakers.  The feedback we have been from Welsh Government has been that we haven’t achieved this yet and this will be very challenging to meet. Outcome 7 has been well received by Welsh Government and has been helpful to understand the nature of the challenges.  She continued that the investment programme has been really successful and ambitious compared to other Local Authorities.

A Member asked for more detail on why people aged 25-34 are leaving the profession and if there was more the Authority can do to encourage them to continue in the profession.   The Director Education and Inclusion advised that a workforce report has been requested by the Education and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee which we will include this point in and provide more detail on.

A Member wished to place on record that as non-welsh speaker, their children attend a welsh medium school and have nothing but a positive experience in RCT and encouraged anyone considering this as an option to do it.

A Member noted that on Outcome 3 the statement refers to transition rates across the County Borough being positive, however, some were transitioning to nearest English Medium school, rather than welsh medium.  They asked if there is a plan to investigate why a cohort is choosing this option

The Director Education and Inclusion advised that this area is one cluster that will be reviewed further to understand why and stated this the choice may be down to the perception and proximity of the nearest English medium school.  She advised that partnerships will need to be formed with neighbouring schools so parents/ carers and pupils are fully informed of their choices.  The Director confirmed that this will be prioritised as a strategic development opportunity to ensure growth in the number of welsh speakers is not lost.

A Member asked that future reports include performance indicators so Members are able to scrutinise meaningful and relevant data.  The Director acknowledged this point.  

Following conclusion of discussions it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the progress made since the previous update.

Consider the actions contained within the appended Annual Work Plan and note the subsequent feedback received from Welsh Government.