Agenda item

The Committee received a PowerPoint a presentation from Jackie Doodson, Principal Coleg Llandrillo and Celia Jones, Director Coleg Llandrillo – Rhyl which detailed the performance of Denbighshire 16-19 year olds students enrolled at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru.

 

The presentation highlighted the following salient points and areas:-

 

·                     Group Structure – Coleg Menai, Cloeg Meirion Dwyfor and Coleg Llandrillo.

·                     Llandrillo Structure – Rhyl Campus and Rhyl Sixth highlighted.

·                     Facts and Figures about Coleg Llandrillo – Approximations highlighted.

·                     Denbighshire Students (Full time (FT): 16-19) - At Rhos, Denbigh Campus, Rhyl Sixth, Rhyl Campus and Abergele Campus.  Increase in numbers in Rhyl with decline in Rhos.

·                     Subject Choices - At non Denbighshire Campuses.

·                     14-16 Provision (Denbighshire) - 14-16 Vocational Pathways and 14-16 FT (EPIC) for 2011/12 and 2012/13.

·                     Student Success – In relation to Denbigh College, Abergele College, Rhyl Sixth, Rhyl College and Llandrillo Total.

·                     Rhyl in Context - Levels of Achievement for Rhyl High, Blessed Edward Jones (BEJ), Abergele, Weighted Average Rhyl Schools and Rhyl Sixth.

·                     Prestatyn and Rhyl Sixth Partnership – Joint post 16 offer and extended choice.

·                     Literacy and Numeracy Skills – Denbighshire Students FT 2011/2012.

·                     Continuous Improvement – Details of Improvement.

 

Over the last 5 years Rhyl College, students and staff, had received a number of accolades and noteworthy successes.  These included:-

 

Ø    UK Automotive Young Apprentice of the year (2009).

Ø    UK Finalist Institute for the Motor Industry Automotive Engineering Centre of the Year (2009)

Ø    First National Retail Skills Academy in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (2010)

Ø    Colegau Cymru FE Teacher of the Year (2012)

Ø    Unique pan Wales School/College partnership – Prestatyn High and Rhyl 6^th – the only partnership where College students study in a school setting

Ø    Finalists – Young Enterprise (Subo Soux) and winners of the best customer service and best trade stall categories (2012)

 

The following responses were provided to questions and issues raised by Members of the Committee:-

 

-                In response to concerns raised by Ms C. Burgess, the Coleg Llandrillo/Director Rhyl (CLDR) explained that a more structured timetable had been introduced and additional buses provided to address the transportation problems initially experienced by students.  The 14-19 Education Network Co-ordinator (ENC) explained that a link had been provided on Facebook which could be utilised by students to communicate details of any problems, such as transportation issues, which were being experienced.

 

-                In reply to a question from Councillor A. Roberts regarding connections with Ysgol Glan Clwyd, the CLDR explained they were working closely with the Dyffryn Clwyd Partnership, which included Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Denbigh High School and Denbigh College.  She highlighted work being undertaken by the Rhyl College in respect of the 14 – 16 curriculum which allowed for the extension of the curriculum, particularly through the medium of Welsh.

 

-                The CLDR provided the following responses to questions from Councillor D. Owens:-

 

Ø     Details of funding issues pertaining to the concerns relating to the 14 – 19 grant funding, european funding and partnership working in schools, particularly in relation to vocational qualification decline, were provided.  The Principal Coleg Llandrillo (PCL) outlined the work being undertaken by the ENC to overcome and remove, through good communication and partnership working, any barriers which arise.              

Ø     It was explained that the lack of representation from Denbighshire on the Board had been recognised but would be difficult to address until a vacancy arose.  An outline of the membership appointment process was provided and it was confirmed that a letter had been sent to Denbighshire regarding this issue.

Ø     Details of the literacy and numeracy skills figures, with regards to Denbighshire, were provided by the PCL.             

 

-                The PCL responded to questions from Councillor G. Sandilands outlining the existing communication links with Prestatyn High School.  She provided details of the process adopted for maintaining effective performance with regard to the school and confirmed that significant improvements had been achieved in this area.  The CLDR confirmed that a strong robust working partnership existed with the school.

 

-                Councillor G. Lloyd-Williams referred to the recent merging of the Colleges in the Group and the CLDR outlined the benefits and advantages realised.  However, she explained it would be difficult to anticipate or forecast if any further mergers would take place.

 

-                Councillor H. Hilditch-Roberts explained that it would be beneficial for the Committee to receive details relating to year on year student enrolment numbers and qualification attainment figures.  He also requested that details of the cost of educating a student be provided for information purposes.  The CLDR explained that there was a framework of costs related to learning units which varied depending on the individual subject.

 

-                The CLDR responded to a question from Councillor R.J. Davies and confirmed that if the demand for a specific course at one campus increased and decreased at another site staff were flexible in their working practices to meet the needs of the service users.  She also confirmed that the existence of the Rhyl site had impacted beneficially on the local economy.

 

Councillor E.W. Williams referred to the possible future framework of the college structure which he felt could improve the level of choice and number of options available for students in Denbighshire.  He felt that it would be important to convey to both the Welsh and Central Governments the importance of offering students the opportunity to have vocational and traditional courses, which could be progressed through partnership working.  The Head of Education emphasised the importance of having a broad curriculum offer available for students.  Effective partnership working with the colleges and engagement with all stakeholders were integral to ensuring that Denbighshire students excelled in their chosen fields.

 

The Chair and Members of the Committee thanked the Principal Coleg Llandrillo and the Director Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl for their detailed and informative presentation.

 

RESOLVED – that the Committee receive the presentation and note its contents.