Venue: By Zoom. View directions
Contact: Wyn Richards, Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services
Media
Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
Apologies
To receive apologies for absence.
Minutes:
Apologies for absence were received from
County Councillor M Weale and from Lynette Lovell (Chief Education
Officer)
|
2. |
Declarations of interest
To receive declarations of interest from
Members.
Minutes:
There were no declarations of interest from
Members relating to items for consideration on the agenda.
|
3. |
Declarations of Party Whip
To
receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has
been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section
78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.
(NB: Members are reminded that under Section 78 Members having
been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before
the Committee.)
Minutes:
The Committee did not receive
any disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been
given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3)
of the Local Government Measure 2011.
|
4. |
Estyn Reviw of Local Authorities Work in Supporting their Learning Communities 2020 PDF 428 KB
To receive and consider the Estyn Review of
Local Authorities work in supporting their learning communities in
schools and pupil referral units during the period March to October
2020.
Minutes:
Documents Considered:
·
Estyn Review of Local Authorities Work in Supporting
their Learning Communities 2020.
Issues
Discussed:
·
Positive report from Estyn. This was a national
report looking at how local authorities were supporting learners
from March to October 2020. Estyn also produced a local report for
authorities. The report reflects the strong joint working across
services, with partners, schools and with local
communities.
·
Estyn were positive about the quick and safe way
that the Council had established the childcare hubs. The report
also highlights communication as a strength and the positive use of
digital technology. In addition, the report recognised how the
service provided guidance, shared good practice and supported digital connectivity, and
shows how well the local authority established groups involving
headteachers who were kept informed and involved in decision making
during the period.
·
The report recognised the establishment of the Team
around the Hub and Team around the Cluster and how this has
supported the wellbeing of learners.
·
Questions:
Staff need to be commended for the work done during pandemic.
Much has been learned about the delivery of education during the
pandemic. What will developments such as blended learning look like
going forwards. In relation to children getting access to
equipment, where are we with the provision of equipment for
pupils.
|
In relation to blended learning, the Council is developing its
approaches to new curriculum. Much of that is based around pupil
independence, learning and self
orientation. Each school has developed its own approach, as
there is no set way of delivering blended learning. Activities have
had to be adapted and pupils are very adaptable and resilient and this has been shown in the work being
returned to schools. Teachers are being creative and adapting the
way that they teach. That will develop further as the new
curriculum is developed.
In relation to access to digital equipment, over 800 families
have been supported with equipment. In addition, over 1300 items of
equipment have been loaned out but there are still families sharing
devices, and schools are not equipped to give out devices to
everyone. The Service is working with the Welsh Government and the
Education Technology Programme to increase the number of devices in
schools. There has been investment in equipment in schools and for
teachers and funding has been received for next year to continue
this. It is hoped in each school to have 1 device between 2 pupils.
There has been support provided by businesses and others as well to
assist pupils. However, the aim of the Service is to increase
digital equipment in schools next year as
well.
|
Has the pandemic made it easier for teachers to look at how they
approach the new curriculum as it has been disruptive to
traditional methods.
|
There has been a greater ability to undertake more professional
development during the pandemic so that teachers are able to adapt.
Hopefully teachers will be in a position
to be able to take on change more readily after this
period.
|
Has digital ...
view the full minutes text for item 4.
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5. |
Work Programme
To note that future meetings of the Committee
are scheduled as follows. Please note that other than the meeting
on 17th March, other dates may be subject to change to
accommodate other items which require consideration.
17-03-21
|
11.00 - 12.30
|
Ysgol Bro
Hyddgen language category
|
14-05-21 (TBC)
|
10.00 - 12.00
|
Post 16 (Cabinet
18-05-21)
Performance Q4 +
Risk
Q4 budget? - efficiency
savings
|
24-06-21 (TBC)
|
10.00 - 12.00
|
WESP (Cabinet 22-06-21) -
TBC
School Budgets
2021-22?
School Budgets out-turn
2020-21?
|
10-09-21 (TBC)
|
10.00 - 12.00
|
Performance Q1+ Risk
(TBC)
Q2 budget? - efficiency
savings
|
22-10-21 (TBC)
|
10.00 - 12.00
|
Performance Q2+ Risk
|
03-12-21 (TBC)
|
10.00 - 12.00
|
|
Minutes:
The Committee noted the provisional forward
work programme as set out on the agenda. However, it was noted that
the timetable could be subject to change and was dependent on when
transformation reports would be available for consideration.
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