Venue: Hybrid - Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron / remotely via video conference
Contact: Lisa Evans
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Apologies Minutes: Councillor Paul Hinge apologised for his inability to attend
the meeting. |
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Personal Matters Minutes: Best wishes were extended to Mrs
Mary Davies as she was currently absent from work due to illness. Congratulations were extended to
the scheme ‘Bwyd & Hwyl over the summer period at
Aberystwyth. |
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Disclosures of personal interest (including whipping declarations) Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct. In addition, Members must declare any prohibited party whip which the Member has been given in relation to the meeting as per the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 Minutes: Councillors Endaf Edwards, Euros Davies, Marc Davies,
Meirion Davies, Amanda Edwards, Elizabeth Evans, Eryl Evans, Chris James, Ann
Bowen Morgan and Mark Strong declared a personal interest in item 5 as they
were all school governors. |
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GCSE and A Level Results 2023 Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Schools,
Lifelong Learning and Skills, Councillor Wyn Thomas presented the report and
stated that due to the Covid-19
pandemic, external examinations in their traditional form -were not held in
school in the Summer of 2020 nor the Summer of 2021.For the Summer of 2022,
Qualifications Wales decided that the National results would reflect a halfway
point between the results of Summer 2019 and Summer 2021.To that end, the 2023 results
were not comparable with previous years. The provisional percentages for Ceredigion
was reported(official data would be available in early
October). THE CURRENT SITUATION: GCSE Results 2023 National Comparison – Summer 2023 exams
(WJEC GCSE only)
A range of indicators are considered when evaluating results
locally. These look at pupils’ best
grades at the end of Year 11:
A Level Results 2023 National Comparisons – Summer Exams 2023
(WJEC A-levels only)
It was AGREED to note the report for information and to congratulate all pupils and staff on their achievements. |
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The Post-16 Education provision in schools Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Schools,
Lifelong Learning and Skills, Councillor Wyn Thomas presented the report and Mr
Barry Rees, Corporate Director, Mrs Elen James, Corporate Lead Officer:-Lifelong Learning and Chief Education Officer, Mr
Clive Williams , Corporate Lead Officer Schools and Deputy Chief Education
Officer provided a power point presentation highlighting its content. It was reported that at the Cabinet meeting held virtually
on 11 January 2022, it was agreed that it would be timely to undertake a review
of the post-16 provision in Ceredigion. The aim of the review was to provide an
analysis and appraisal of the current post-16 provision in Ceredigion and
identify sustainable options for the future, along with their potential
advantages and disadvantages. The aim of
the review was to: • create a
set of agreed principles that were learner-centric • offer a
range of accessible and sustainable options whilst ensuring that the voices of
the learners, governors, parents, headteachers and Local Authority officers
were an integral part of the process • ensure that
full consideration had been given to the findings and recommendations of
Estyn’s national reviews and the background to Welsh Government’s current
policy, including the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research and the
Wellbeing of Future Generations Act • consider
rurality and the implications for carbon footprints. There was
also a wider context to this review, namely: • Welsh
Government’s decision to establish the Commission for Tertiary Education and
Research (CTER) which would be responsible for the strategy, funding, and
oversight of the further education sector, including colleges and the sixth
forms in schools. • Estyn’s
Thematic Report regarding Post-16 Partnerships (January 2021). • The opportunities
available through the Mid Wales Growth Deal, the Economic Strategy, and the
Regional Partnership Board with regards to the needs and skills of the
workforce for the future and the central role of the Regional Skills
Partnership (RSP)in the collection and analysis of information. • The need to
ensure a broad and quality vocational offer, along with a wider offering of
A-Level subjects, which allows learners to pursue different combinations of
subjects and to specialise in their interests, regardless of where they live in
the county. • Estyn
Report – A review of the current 16-19 curriculum in Wales (October 2022) It was agreed
that a set of “agreed principles which were learner centric” should be created,
to ensure that the voices of learners, governors, parents and headteachers are
an integral part of the report. Member were informed that 6 principles were created - 1) The needs of the learner should be
prioritised over any organisational needs. 2) The generally high standards in
Ceredigion schools should be maintained and improved. 3) There should be more fairness and equal opportunities for all learners across the county in terms of the offer, advice and guidance, pastoral care and wellbeing, travel requirements, learning pattern and access to support. This include ensuring bespoke and specialist support for pupils with additional learning needs ensuring a continuum of education for them ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Minutes: It was AGREED to
confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous meeting of the committee. Matters Arising Item 8- It was
reported that the EnsureEquity for all pupils
Workstream would be visiting Cwrtnewydd on the 20
October 2023. All other Members on the Committee were also invited to attend. |
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To consider the draft Forward Work Programme Additional documents: Minutes: It was AGREED to
note the draft Forward Work Programme as presented subject:- (i) Update
report on the 14-16 qualifications be presented at the next meeting; and (ii) The six month update on Child Sufficiency Assessment would also
be presented |
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Any Other Business Minutes: It was AGREED that a letter of concern be sent to the Welsh
Government from the Chair of the Committee regarding the likely real-terms cut in the County Council budget for 2024/25 and its
subsequent impact on the education service and specifically the County’s
schools. |