To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including whipping declarations)

The following declarations of personal interest were received in respect of Agenda Item 3:

Councillor Amanda Williams – As a Parent Governor at Coety Primary School;

Councillor JP Blundell – As a School Governor at Cefn Glas Infants School;

Reverend Canon E Evans – As a School Governor at Bryntirion Comprehensive School.

Invitees:

Lindsay Harvey, Corporate Director - Education and Family Support

Cllr Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration

Nicola Echanis, Head of Education and Family Support

Michelle Hatcher, Group Manager Inclusion and School Improvement

Andrew Williams, Acting Assistant Director CSC

Andy Rothwell, CSC Senior Challenge Advisor

Hannah Castle, Headteacher, Cynffig Comprehensive School - Chair of Schools Budget Forum

Neil Clode, Headteacher, Llangewydd Primary School - Vice-Chair of Schools Budget Forum

Andrew Slade, Headteacher, Porthcawl Comprehensive School, Chair of Bridgend Association of Secondary Headteachers (BASH)

Kath John, Headteacher, Brackla Primary School, Chair of Bridgend Primary Federation

Meurig Jones, Head  Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Welsh-Medium School Representative

Jeremy Evans, Headteacher, Heronsbridge School, Special School Representative

Angela Keller, Headteacher Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School, Faith School Representative

Jeremy Phillips, Headteacher, Litchard Primary School, Primary School Representative

The Central South consortium (CSC) Senior Challenge Advisorpresented a report, the purpose of which, was to present the Committee with the educational outcomes for 2018–2019 for the foundation phase, key stages 2, 3 and 4, and post-16 in Bridgend schools.

The report evaluated the educational performance in Bridgend schools for 2018-2019.

He explained that the content of the report was different to previous years, due to Welsh Government introducing significant changes as to how schools and local authorities report performance measures and how they should be used. Further details in relation to this were expanded upon in the background information to the report (paragraph 3).

Appendix A of the report contained tables with headline data for key stage 4 and post-16.

The report also needed to be considered within the context of Estyn’s inspection of Bridgend’s local government education services in March 2019, which highlighted many of the performance strengths of the local authority as well as identifying areas for further development. The full Estyn inspection report can be found at Appendix B (to the report).

To support Members in understanding the changes to performance measures, Central South Consortium (CSC) and the local authority ran an update session for all elected members in September 2019. A copy of this presentation was attached at Appendix C of the report.

The next section of the report, included outcomes in the form of performance details including results of school/pupil performance in the following school year age groups:-

·         Foundation Phase

·         Key Stage 2

·         Key Stage 3

·         Key Stage 4

·         Post-16

In terms of Education outcome data strengths, the report also highlighted that Foundation Phase outcomes remain well above the all-Wales average.

Improved performance of Key Stage 2 outcomes, when compared to regional and the all-Wales average.

Under the new interim performance measure at Key Stage 4, the local authority has performed well, generally in line with regional averages and above the all-Wales average. With regards to this, the gap in performance between eFSM and nFSM was smaller than the national average.

Also, under the new interim performance measures, boys’ performance at Key Stage 4, was better than the all-Wales average.

In respect of Education outcome data, areas for development, there was evidence of continued improvement in literacy performance at Key Stage 2.

Improvement had also been seen in Post-16 at A* - C measure, which was as good as, or better than the all-Wales average.

The report advised that the gap in performance between eFSM and nFSM pupils, needed to be closed at all phases and stages. The pace of progress in schools was also causing some concern and required some improvement.

Paragraphs 4.52 to 4.76 inclusive of the report, outlined information with regard to the challenge and support provided by the CSC, together with other statistical information and associated data in relation to BCBC schools, including inspections and/or reviews of certain schools by Estyn. This also included details of the ongoing relationship CSC has with the Council, and the proposed relationship going  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer - Scrutiny presented the  Committee with the FWP which included in Table A, the topic prioritised and agreed for the next Committee meeting, as follows:

·         9 March 2020  - Learner Travel;

The Committee requested:

-       That pupil representatives affected by Learner Travel Proposals be invited to the meeting.

-       That the topic of Post 16 Education be scheduled for scrutiny at the same Scrutiny Committee meeting as Learner Travel, and pupil representatives from some schools directly affected by the Post 16 Education proposals be invited to the meeting.

-       That consideration be given to changing the time of the meeting to accommodate the pupil invitees to after school if necessary.

-       That meetings be held in term-time.

The Senior Democratic Services Officer – Scrutiny drew Members’ attention to the list of proposed future topics in Table B.

The Committee requested:

-       That the topics of Homelessness, Emergency Accommodation and Supporting People Grant be considered together in a future meeting.

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in

accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None.