Agenda item

The Committee were presented with a report giving an overview of the Education Department’s Covid response and how findings are shaping strategic plans for moving forward ensuring that schools are being supported to meet the needs of vulnerable learners.

The Executive Board member for Education advised that the aim of the reportis to confirm that schools meets the support on vulnerable learners and its importance that the department recognise the gaps and the need to adapt to change with safeguarding education and health being important factors.

The Director of Education and Children advised that this report will be utilised with the Corporate Management Team and the Executive Board to give a reflection on where we are currently.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·         Asked how we monitor the wellbeing and standards of education of children taught at home and the ones that move around regularly.  The Director of Education and Children advised the team has expanded and now have more qualified officers visiting families and having engagement with them – parents can follow any curriculum and learning path that they want – advice and guidance is given and with the funding that’s been received from Welsh Government they can be supported giving them access to examinations.

·         Asked if an extensive exit is conducted with Headteachers to establish why their retiring given that there is pressure on leadership at schools with all systematic changes occurring?  The Director of Education and Children advised that there is a combination of reasons; albeit, health, family, wellbeing.

·         Asked about the Wales’ new curriculum being mandatory in secondary schools a year later than planned with no delay for primary schools.  The Director of Education and Children advised that the Education Minister has advised that secondary schools could introduce it later due to Covid challenges and this will be discussed in a Headteacher’s meeting scheduled for w/c 12^th July, 2021.  The Head of Curriculum and Wellbeing advised that the new curriculum is currently being trialled and envisage that all schools in Carmarthenshire will embark.

·         Concerns on the workload of Headteachers.  The Head of Education and Inclusion Services advised that they’ve relaxed the workload e.g. Estyn inspections have been delayed until Spring 2022, testing aid assessment process and reports to parents.

·         Asked about the levels of progression on Vulnerable Learners.  The Head of Education and Inclusion advised that some schools requested further support on vulnerable learners and worked closely with Headteachers to look at most effective methods in wellbeing with officers across the department collated advice and guidance to schools.

·         Clarity was sought on the drop in attendance in secondary schools.  The Head of Education and Inclusion service advised that he writes to schools every Friday and the correspondence reminds them of the legal requirement to complete the register in a timely manner; to note that coding has been an issue on the register i.e. if their isolating or part of a bubble but new coding will be introduced in September, 2021.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:-

·         The report go to Executive Board and CMT

·         that the report be received.