Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Dana Davies, Frank Hemmings, John McCusker, Rondo Roberts and Co-opted members Alison Fisher, Rosalind Williams and Brent Evans.

To sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 April 2019

AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 April 2019 be signed as a correct record.

Committee Members thanked the former Chair, Councillor Carrie Harper and former Vice-Chair, Councillor Michael Dixon for their service during the past twelve months.

To consider the start times of Meetings of this Committee, giving consideration to the resources available for webcasting.

The Chair sought the views of the Committee in respect of the timing of meetings of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee for the 2019/20 municipal year.

AGREED – That future Meetings of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee commence at 2.30pm.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Governance & Customer

The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/26/19s) to consider the education standards for Wrexham pupils attending Coleg Cambria and to consider the percentage of pupils in Year 11 remaining in full time education.

The Chair welcomed to the Meeting Llinos Roberts and Clwyd Jones, representatives from Coleg Cambria.  Llinos Roberts presented the report to the Committee drawing Members attention to the following information:

·         The learner outcomes report for Coleg Cambria in 17/18

·         The outcome of the post-16 achievement measures in 17/18

·         The breakdown of performance of Coleg Cambria learners who live in the Wrexham area.

Clwyd Jones advised the Committee that the new common set of performance measures, which were currently being developed by Welsh Government in conjunction with key stakeholders, would come into effect from next year.

During discussing the following additional information was requested by Members:

·         The Vocational success rates at entry level, which were below the national comparator. 

·         The total number of pupil completions in the period 2015/16 – 2017/18.

Members welcomed the report and commended the college for the positive report which demonstrated that Wrexham learners are progressing at Coleg Cambria.  It was also noted that the college had been awarded a certificate of  outstanding progress by ALPs confirming that the college was among the top 25% in the UK.

AGREED – That Coleg Cambria be thanked for presenting a very reassuring report outlining the Educational Outcomes for Wrexham Learners at Coleg Cambria.

To consider the report of the Lead Member for People – Youth Services and Anti-poverty

The Lead Member for People – Youth Services and Anti-Poverty submitted and presented a report (COEEI/12/19s) to consider the key themes/trends identified via the School Health Research Network survey from 2017/18 and to highlight the support arrangements for the well-being of Wrexham pupils.

It was reported that 7 secondary schools in Wrexham had taken part in the survey which had highlighted several positive areas for schools to build on along with a number of areas which required action and further improvement.  Schools were developing their own action plans and a number of identified actions were already included as part of the Public Service Boards action plan.  Members were asked to note the continuing demand for support with mental health services for young people.

The Chair invited the Committee to ask questions of the Lead Member and officers present.  During debate the following issues were raised:

·         The importance of school participation in the survey.

·         Assurance sought as to the statistical reliance of the survey data.  The officer commented that the LA collected data from a range of services and other surveys to ensure that resources were focused on the correct areas.

·         The role of school governors in challenging and supporting schools in using the survey data to develop strategies and action plans.

·         Future role of Committee to look at the health and well-being improvement programmes of schools to see how issues such as sleep deprivation, obesity and the consumption of sugary drinks were being addressed. 

·         Noted that the LA’s Well-being team were delivering awareness raising programmes in respect of the negative impact of mobile devices and sleep deprivation on learning.

·         The pivotal role of parents in supporting the health and well-being agenda.

·         Concern raised regarding the level of the waiting list arising from demand for school based counselling services.  It was acknowledged that targeted support was being provided to key primary schools to provide support at an earlier age.

AGREED –

(i)         That correspondence be addressed to the Governing bodies of The Maelor and Bryn Alyn schools to establish why they did not partake in the Student Health and Wellbeing in 2017/18 survey.

(ii)        That a future update report on Health and Wellbeing Support for Schools focus on advice provided to schools to address pupil obesity and sleep deprivation and their related action plans to address these issues.

(iii)       That the pressure on the school counselling service be acknowledged and that concern is expressed at the current length of waiting lists and the pressure on resources.