Agenda item

To receive a report by 14 – 19 Coordinator (copy enclosed) which asks the Committee to consider the effectiveness of the delivery of post 16 education in the County and its associated costs.

The 14-19 Network Co-ordinator (14-19 NC) submitted a report (previously circulated) for the Committee to consider the effectiveness of the delivery of post 16 education in the County and its associated costs.  This was the latest in a series of reports since 2009 and demonstrated that the transformation plan was working well by putting post 16 education into a different format, which was originally started by the Welsh Government.

The partnership was working in three geographical areas:-

(a)               Dyffryn Clwyd

(b)               Rhyl/Prestatyn and

(c)               Dee Valley

Denbighshire’s participation rate for pupils continuing in the Sixth Form or at Further Education College had risen to 89.9% which was only marginally second behind Monmouth. In the Dyffryn Clwyd area participation rate for pupils continuing in the Sixth Form had risen to 63.2% in 2011.

An analysis had been carried out of both students attending their “home” schools and those who travelled to partner schools.  It had shown that students who travelled to partner schools achieved on average one quarter of a grade higher than students who stayed at their “home” schools.  The main reason students moved were for extra subject access or varying subject combination.  In terms of costs there was a system of financial transfers done centrally with each school receiving an income for each student based on the, volume of learning and number of subjects being studied. The system allows schools to retain 20% of the funding paid into their core budgets for the post 16 education provision. School and college transport costs were a potential problem as there was no capacity within the current budget to fund increases in transportation costs.  Another potential risk to the future delivery of post 16 education was the Minister for Education and Skills’ national review of the Funding System.

In response to various matters being raised by Members, the 14-19 NC responded as follows:

Ø      to research whether young people with disabilities or Asperger’s Syndrome were being disadvantaged in the system.  The response to be forwarded to the Scrutiny Coordinator.

Ø      to discuss with the Corporate Director the cost of student transport to sixth forms and colleges, and whether it would be viable to introduce a charging policy for post 16 students.

Ø      confirmed that funding was available up until the summer of 2014 from the 14-19 education budget to cover transport costs, but the Minister had to date only guaranteed grant funding up to March 31^st 2014.

Ø      14-19 learning pathways was an unmitigated success across Wales.  Standards and student participation had risen and more young people were achieving skills qualifications.  There was a possibility of Government continuing funding post 2014 but possibly not in grant form specifically for this provision, it would most likely form part of the Council’s Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and therefore not to be ring-fenced.

Transport charges were further discussed and it was suggested if the students were to pay for transport, this should be means tested. This was due to the impact transport charges would have on the budget of families on low income.

14-19 NC also mentioned various future school/college partnerships that were being discussed and that discussions would shortly take place with Wrexham County Borough Council with a view to partnership working in the Dee Valley area.

Members felt that due to much of the county being rural, the Council still had a duty to deliver education services for young people.  A further suggestion was to change the bus times in rural areas to accommodate children travelling to schools and colleges.  It was:

Resolved  that subject to the above, the Committee accept the outcomes to date, costs, benefits, value for money and risks of the Transformation Partnerships in Post 16 Education in Denbighshire.