Minutes:
Documents Considered:
· Powys Schools Service Covid-19 Response
Issues Discussed:
· There was a great deal of commonality between this report and the final item on the agenda.
· The report shows the collaborative work which was undertaken by services in Powys.
· In relation to blended learning a Teaching and Learning Group developed guidance for schools to support blended learning, support for emotional well-being of pupils, support for pupils and for parents. While teaching was key it was important to support pupils and parents as well.
· Questions:
It is important that both teachers and pupils are ready for blended learning. The report under paragraph 2.1 states what has been done for digital connectivity. Have all of these been used, are there still connectivity problems in any areas. Is the Council confident if there were a full lockdown that education could be delivered in the next academic year. |
The collaborative work between catchment schools during the period has been important, especially in getting devices out quickly to those that did not have access to such devices previously. The support of Welsh Government was also important in accessing wi-fi dongles so that pupils could access services such as HWB. |
Has there been an audit of the additional hardware support needed for new learners attending schools in September and what are the plans to get devices out to pupils if this is necessary |
The original devices were issued from the hub schools and should now have been returned. Any damaged devices should have been replaced. The Committee received assurances that there are adequate digital devices in schools to accommodate new learners in September and if not they can be procured quickly. |
Has the authority got figures for numbers of pupils that have not connected at all digitally during the pandemic as these pupils may need additional support and training in September. |
Each pupil connecting to HWB is logged. However this information would be dealt with at a school level. Pupils are being encouraged to use the resources available to them and on average 85% of learners were able to and had logged onto HWB. However this does not include all the foundation phase where pupils did not always have a need for digital devices. Much of the foundation phase learning is in the outdoors and practical. This was a broad curriculum which could be undertaken at home with families. |
Safeguarding – has there been an increase in safeguarding issues or disclosures since pupils have returned to school |
The Council is anticipating an increase in disclosures and there have been some in the last four weeks. What the Council has also seen is an increased number of children requiring counselling during the period particularly in Year 5 and 6 which has seen a 60% increase. There has also been an increase in instances of domestic violence during the period. Schools are considering what types of support pupils will need on return in September either academic or well-being support. Additional funding for counselling provision has been made available by Welsh Government and some face to face counselling is being made available in schools over the summer. |
Is the Council getting sufficient support from Powys Teaching Local Health Board in relation to access to counsellors |
There is a strong collaboration between services over the period. There has been a waiting list to see counsellors due to the increased numbers but that has been reduced. There have also been a number of pupils who did not wish to receive counselling virtually and would prefer to wait for face to face counselling. |
Did Powys People Direct have the capacity to deal with the numbers of referrals. How long on average was the wait for counselling. |
This information can be provided. One of the key areas the Service was also working on was the Team around the hub which then became the Team around the cluster, so that not only individual counselling could be provided but also training and support and group work for certain groups of young people. |
More cluster working has been one of the benefits of this period. How will this be embedded in future so these benefits are not lost. |
The Team around the cluster has been a success. From September each cluster will have a named person for example for ALN, Educational Welfare Officer, CAMHS Counsellor etc. This joint working approach is an exciting development for the future. This is Education and Children's Services staff with Powys Health Board staff. |
Year 11 and Year 13 Pupils |
A virtual open day was arranged for North Powys and South Powys pupils in conjunction with all the schools. During those days questions were answered as to support available to pupils, 6th form provision available, and where pupils could go for support. As a result schools undertook their own virtual days with Year 11 pupils. |
How have the last 6 weeks assisted the Service's management in its widest context |
What has been demonstrated over the last few months is that the Services has a strong team, with strong leadership by the Portfolio Holder. The Service has worked far more collaboratively with headteachers and other stakeholders using digital technology. |
Outcomes:
Noted
Supporting documents: