Agenda item

CORPORATE STRATEGY 2018-23

Minutes:

The Performance and Information Officer gave an overview of the report and drew members’ attention to the reviewed actions plans.

 

The following observations/questions were raised on the presentation:

 

Members highlighted the section of Measure C8 of Objective 3 which referenced the statutory procedures associated with federating, and asked whether the department had been successful in achieving this measure. The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that the measure provided an opportunity to deal with the challenges faced in the process of federating. As noted at previous meetings, a lack of quality leaders and aspiring leaders continued to present a challenge and federating alleviated this to an extent, however it was acknowledged that an additional set of skills were required to lead a federated school.  The Head of Education Services advised that there were 13 Federations at present, five formal and eight informal; noting that a formal federation has a single governing body which is a significant benefit. Estyn have revised their inspection framework in light of Federated schools. Carmarthenshire has supported this work effectively through the use of ‘pilots.’ The revised inspection framework for formally federated schools reflects the demands and needs of these settings in a much better manner. An informal federation had been inspected by Estyn and as a result some changes would be made to the process. He further advised that schools with fewer than 50 pupils presented a financial challenge.

 

In response to a question on the future of Pendine Outdoor Education Centre, the Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that he could not provide a detailed answer, as it was managed by another department. However the provision would be looked at closely over the next year and that the Department of Education and Children’s Services would work closely with the Department of Community Services to consider the provision.

 

Members asked for further information on the PISA results, and the Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that they were awaiting results of the most recent PISA tests. He noted that the new curriculum will move towards problem and results based assessments, a new way of working which is closer aligned to PISA assessments. The Head of Curriculum & Wellbeing acknowledged that PISA Style questions did not sit comfortably within the current Welsh Curriculum, however some schools have done well in preparing for the PISA tests. He also supported the Director of Education and Children’s Services’ viewpoint that the new curriculum’s move to a more problem solving approach and applied learning will result in improved outcomes in future tests.

 

In response to Section E of Objective 3 within the report, members raised concerns in relation to the focus on the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and the Welsh Government target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that the WESP had gone through the corporate process and was in line with similar local authorities. He further advised that the aim is that pupils are bilingual, having two first languages by the end of their time in Primary School. The Head of Education services stated that although the target is to create one million Welsh speakers by 2050, it would be unwise not to include the ability to read and write in Welsh within that target.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Corporate Strategy 2018-2023 report be received.

 

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