To consider a report by County Councillor Phyl Davies, Portfolio Holder for Education and Property.
Minutes:
Cabinet considered the results of the consultation undertaken on proposal to alter the medium of instruction at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen to Welsh-medium, introduced on a phased basis, year-by-year, starting with Reception in September 2022.
The consultation form had been completed by 440 respondents with 61.1% supporting the proposal and 37.5% opposing. In addition to the responses to the consultation, the Cabinet had received a large amount of correspondence. The Portfolio Holder thanked everyone who had taken the time to get in touch and confirmed that the Cabinet had read everything sent to them.
County Councillor Michael Williams speaking as a local member outlined the main areas of concern conveyed to him by people who opposed the proposal. Responding to concerns over the timing of the consultation during lockdown, officers noted that the high number of responses received showed that the consultation had been successful. Councillor Williams also asked about Machynlleth Community Children’s Project and was advised that this was linked to the Bro Hyddgen campus build with rooms being provided for the Cylch and MCCP and that all early years provision was subject to tendering once the current contract finished.
County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan spoke as a local member and as the Chair of Governors at Bro Hyddgen and he urged the Cabinet to support the recommendation to ensure parity of provision between English and Welsh speaking pupils. He stressed the importance of immersion provision for any pupils requiring support and the need to support pupils with Additional Learning Needs.
County Councillor Pete Roberts speaking as the Chair of the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee explained that the Committee was broadly supportive of the proposal and had been assured by the phased approach being recommended and by responses given by officers that concerns raised about ALN and the need for immersion provision would be addressed. The Strategic Lead for Education confirmed that the Council would work with the school to ensure that appropriate support was provided to any pupils with ALN and said he was confident that children would not be disadvantaged by the proposal. The Scrutiny Committee had asked about the number of pupils moving between Welsh medium and English medium streams, and the school had advised that the numbers were low.
RESOLVED
1. To receive the Consultation Report in respect of changing the language category of Ysgol Bro Hyddgen.
2. To approve the publication of a statutory notice to make a regulated alteration to alter the medium of instruction at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen to Welsh-medium, on a phased basis, year-by-year, starting with Reception in September 2022.
Supporting documents: