Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Interim Corporate Director of Education and Strategic Education Improvement Manager which was presented to provide Members with important performance monitoring information regarding the inspections undertaken by ESTYN of educational establishments.

The Strategic Education Improvement Manager spoke to the report and gave an overview of the three schools inspected by ESTYN:-

•        Brynmawr Foundation School

•        Cwm Primary School

•        Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg

A Member said that the two primary schools had received good reports but raised serious concerns regarding Brynmawr Foundation School in relation to important shortcomings particularly in literacy and numeracy and leadership management.  The Principal Challenge Advisor EAS said the key fundamentals in this report were around leadership and teaching and learning.  Leadership had been significantly strengthened at the school, the Headteacher had appointed a Deputy Headteacher and a further two additional assistant Headteachers.  There had been a deficit of professional learning but she advised Members that during the pandemic the school had continued to engage with the EAS through professional learning.  The school had engaged with the National Middle Leadership Development Programme for all of its middle leaders and its senior leaders were used as part of that facilitation team and this work was still ongoing. She assured Members that Brynmawr Foundation School had a very robust distance and blended learning plan which was being shared regionally.  It was important for Members to know that the schools causing concern meetings had continued to ensure effective evaluation of the work on the ground and to identify professional learning needs.

The Interim Corporate Director of Education reiterated that SCC sessions with Brynmawr Foundation School and other schools causing concern had been held.  Leadership at the school had been strengthened, but he felt that it would take time for improvements to impact on the school and would keep Members updated on the progress made.

In response to a Member’s question regarding no library provision at the school, the Interim Director of Education said that there were schools that did not have an active ‘normal’ library, but learners were not disadvantaged as they had access to this provision via wither quiet spaces or through digital means.

Councillor Cook left the meeting at this juncture.

The Chair referred to the accelerated reader programme and felt it was beneficial for learners’ wellbeing to have a quiet safe room to read and hold a physical book.

The Interim Corporate Director of Education said there were other opportunities within schools to ensure learners had environments in schools that were conducive to breakout periods, and this would also be taken forward to the 21st Century Schools Programme.  Brynmawr Foundation School would be a priority project for investment as part of the Band B programme.

The Principal Challenge Advisor supported the Director’s comments and said that although Brynmawr Foundation School did not have a dedicated library it used those resources widely across the school and within classroom settings.  She reassured Members that as part of their development planning,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8