Agenda and minutes

Councillor Paul Hinge apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.