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Question from: County Councillor Iain McIntosh Subject: Donaldson Curriculum
Question:
Throughout my time on Cabinet, a number of school transformation proposals were discussed during which Education officers and the Cabinet member for education claimed small schools would either struggle, or not be able, to deliver the Donaldson curriculum. This suggestion was repeated today [3 March] by the Cabinet member and director of Education during a full council meeting.
Through Jeremy Miles MS, the Welsh Government has maintained that all small schools in Wales can deliver the new Donaldson curriculum and, that the new curriculum was designed specifically for, and with the assistance of, small schools (less than 91 pupils).
Can the portfolio holder therefore please confirm whether schools in Powys can deliver the new curriculum, or not?
If our schools cannot deliver the curriculum, can Powys County Council please inform Welsh Government, without delay, that it is the view of this authority that our schools cannot deliver the curriculum? I also urge this authority to insist Welsh Government review the curriculum to ensure it is fit for purpose.
If our schools can deliver the curriculum, can the portfolio holder and education department please stop suggesting that schools cannot deliver the curriculum and stop using this suggestion as a reason to close small schools within Powys.
Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
The workload to effectively introduce the new curriculum is a significant challenge. It is more difficult in our smaller schools to engage with the professional learning and workshops that we are promoting as in a small school the same person has to attend and that person is often a teaching headteacher. In schools with more staff the workload can be spread out.
That does not mean that smaller schools cannot deliver the new curriculum but the workload demands on them are significant. This has been the constant message from officers within the education service and also being clearly articulated from headteachers themselves who are finding it increasingly challenging to deal with all the changes.
Our officers work very closely with Welsh Government officials and sit on all working groups regarding the National Mission. Curriculum readiness has been a key aspect of that work with clear messages regarding workload being part of that narrative.
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