Agenda item

To consider a confidential joint report by Education Service and GwE officers (copy enclosed) detailing the progress made to date in delivering the school post inspection action plan and the joint school support plan.

10.10am – 11am

The Lead Member for Education, Children and Families introduced the report (previously circulated) to the Committee and advised that Christ the Word Catholic school opened in September 2019.  Following an Estyn Inspection, in May 2022 the school was placed under special measures  Since then a considerable amount of work had been undertaken by all stakeholders with a view to addressing the 5 recommendations from Estyn and to achieve sustained improvements at the school. The Head of Education Service outlined the improvements and progress made to date as referenced in the report, emphasising the significant amount of support which continued to be provided to the school on various fronts.  The main focus of the work that had been undertaken included consolidating the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring stability in leadership that would support the development of robust improvement plans that would secure sustained advancement going forward.

In response to members’ questions, the Lead Member, Council, GwE and school officials:

·         advised that the recruitment of staff was a problem across both primary and secondary education nationally, Christ the Word being a ‘through school’ did not contribute to this problem. Assurances were provided  that officers had expertise in the relevant educational sectors. As Christ the Word was a ‘through school’ the qualities for a Head did require knowledge and experience of dealing with children from ages 3-16, leadership skills were essential, these types of skills were transferable between both sectors. As Christ the Word was a Catholic school it was a requirement for its Headteacher to be a practicing Catholic. Consequently, this resulted in those eligible to apply for the role being fewer in number.  This was not unique to faith schools,  similar challenges were encountered when recruiting to a Welsh-medium schools.

·         provided reassurances to Members that the amount of support provided to Christ the Word was not having a direct or indirect negative impact on other schools such as Prestatyn High School whilst staff were seconded to support the work at Christ the Word.  The situation was being closely monitored.  Prestatyn High School had an exceptional Estyn profile and other staff at the school had stepped up to a leadership role at that school and were gaining valuable experience.

·         gave assurances that the fact that GwE as an organisation would shortly be coming to an end would not be to the detriment of the support provided for the school, as the provision of school support services was a statutory requirement, therefore the service would continue to be delivered albeit under a different delivery model.  A Transition Board had been established made up of Heads of Education and HR to support the delivery of the new model.

·         emphasised that in order to help with recruitment, it was essential to make teaching posts in all sectors desirable and attractive and work had been done to fulfil this.

·         confirmed that the relationship with other local schools had been examined in detail.  In addition, open evenings were being held in order to boost pupil recruitment. Other work was being conducted to help with recruitment in pupil numbers, this included improving the public perception and image of the school through various marketing tools, increasing social media presence, working with Prestatyn High School to organise joint school trips etc. (as this would make them more affordable for families), publication of a regular newsletter, as well as promoting initiatives such as pupil of the day/week/month in order to try and create positivity in the school.

The Chair thanked all in attendance for providing comprehensive answers to members’ questions.  At the conclusion of an in-depth discussion, it was:

Resolved:  subject to the above and having regard to the observations made by Estyn following its November 2024 visit to the school, to –

(i)           acknowledge the progress achieved to date in delivering the Post inspection Action Plan (PIAP) and the joint local authority & GwE School Support Plan following the 2022 Estyn Inspection;

(ii)          request that a further progress report be presented to the Committee in early 2026; and

(iii)        request that in the interim a progress report be circulated to Committee members for information towards the end of the Summer Term 2025  

AT THIS JUNCTURE (11.30 A.M.) THERE WAS A 10 MINUTE BREAK

THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 11.40 A.M.

PART I