Agenda item

Invitees:

-          Ed Pryce - Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy

-          Marc Belli – Education Achievement Service (EAS) Principal School Improvement Partner

-          Sarah Morgan – Chief Education Officer – Newport City Council

-          Sarah Davies – Deputy Chief Education Officer – Newport City Council

The Education Achievement Service Assistant Director and Chief Education Officer gave a brief overview of the report.

Members asked the following:

·         The Committee asked if the budget is analysed every year.

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy explained that the budget is based on a model from 2012, with the size of the school being the biggest determinant of the budget, and other socio-economic factors also playing a role. The Chief Education Officer mentioned that the budget is determined through the SLA (Service Level Agreement), and a charge is given, which NCC has to accept or decline based on its affordability.

The committee clarified that the services paid for are the ones they are provided

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy highlighted that over the last 10 years it has remained consistent with how much each local authority has agreed to pay. The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy further highlighted efficiency savings are offered up to the other Local authorities (LA), a 10% cut was proposed with 3 agreeing to this to this cut.

·         The committee asked about possible reports to review. The EAS Assistant Director noted that reports are shared with the local authority first but can be presented to the committee. The Chief Education Officer highlighted monthly meetings to ensure quality support for schools. EAS has shifted focus to longitudinal studies on impact, evaluating school quality instead of just attainment. The Committee supported the school-centered approach and Welsh Government's efforts to monitor child progress.

·         The Committee requested information on pupil attainment to meet EAS Value for Money criteria.

The EAS Assistant Director explained that assessments were devolved into clusters of schools and areas, with EAS having a role in their development. The Principal School Improvement Partner emphasized the importance of each setting having a curriculum and assessments tailored to individual learners. The Cap 9 score is returning to help understand school performance. Center-determined or predicted grades were used due to Covid-19. The Chief Education Officer noted that governing bodies have access to data and are responsible for holding schools accountable. It was reinforced that the data may be used by schools to compare privately but not as a method of comparison publicly.

·         The Committee enquired about EAS's self-evaluation process.

The Chief Education Officer explained that the value for money aspect was evaluated in the business plan. The EAS Assistant Director noted the use of a QR code feedback system for teacher training evaluations, with roughly 6,000 evaluations generated. Teachers are contacted 6 months later for feedback on their improvement, with a 30% response rate. The Committee thanked EAS for their support to schools.

·         The Committee noted the increased accountability of school governors and asked about training.

The EAS Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy explained that virtual training has been provided over the last 18 months, but the challenge is getting governors to attend as only two sessions are mandatory. More virtual and face-to-face sessions will be arranged in the future. The Head of Education detailed school development planning sessions with the chair of governors and a reported self-evaluation system for quality assurance, which helps schools evaluate and maintain reports without increasing the level of bureaucracy.

·         Members asked whether there were plans to develop other curriculums for Gwent schools.

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy Curriculum responded that they don't have a full picture at the moment but their curriculum team is always looking for resources. The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy also highlighted that their curriculum resources are located on their curriculum website and that they had just completed an audit of the resources available online. They further informed the committee that their team can produce a summary report for the committee. The Committee would like the Gwent archives to be looked at in terms of a resource for schools as well as transport from schools to Gwent archives.

·         The Committee asked how school’s equality policies deal with attainment across different backgrounds.

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director noted that their small team helps local authorities with equality policies, and that EAS looks at correct teaching methods and practices. The Deputy Chief Education Officer said that EAS provides professional learning and resources for schools, while the Head of Education highlighted that the local authority has a variety of wellbeing programs such as those to combat bullying. There is also a South East Wales meeting that involves the inclusion leads from each local authority as well as EAS. The Head of Education also highlighted that they cover this topic during their monthly partnership meeting and noting best value for money comes when efforts aren’t duplicated.

·         The Committee asked if there was statistics on equality performance.

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy stated there is in school but are not required. The Head of Education expects every school to evaluate disadvantaged groups on how well they are doing. The Deputy Chief Education Officer noted a focus should be on closing the gaps in attainment and level within the varies groups within schools. The Head of Education also highlighted that school development plans should reflect this in the monitoring evaluation activity.

·         The Committee asked whether EAS get positive feedback from headteachers.

The Education Achievement Service (EAS) Assistant Director: Policy and Strategy highlighted that  EAS receives 95% positive feedback from school staff and conducted a headteacher survey 18 months ago with positive feedback, and another survey is due soon. EAS also has a Headteacher Strategy Group that meets half-termly.

·         Do Headteachers report back to Newport directly?

The Deputy Chief Education Officer noted that the Education team meet with school headteachers outside of other organisations led meetings, as well as being invited to the majority of events run by the schools.

·         The Committee requested an audit with the headteachers to be brought to scrutiny. The Principal School Improvement Partner (EAS) acknowledged the request and informed the committee that school headteachers are very forthcoming when raising their views or concerns. The Principal School Improvement Partner (EAS) appreciated the need for an audit and scrutiny, but reaffirmed school staff are willing to communicate their views. The Committee agreed that school staff are very proactive.

The Committee thanked the officers for attending.

Conclusions

·       The Committee wished to thank the EAS and officers for their very positive actions in supporting schools which is widely evidenced in school governors’ meetings as well as in the EAS report itself. Members praised the new style of the report, and were pleased with the data within. Members felt reassured by the partnership’s answers, as well as the depth of the processes described. Query was raised about the steps EAS is taking to help develop materials to be used in the new curriculum and Members request to have further information on this.

·       The Committee also made comment about the QR code which was given by the EAS Manager, and felt that this was an innovative way to gather feedback from Members, Teachers and other service users regarding the Business Plan.

·         The Committee requested if the ‘Stats and stories’ reports be circulated to committee members.

·         A Committee Member would like to have an independent audit against EAS conducted which would give Head Teachers the opportunity to give Newport City Council direct feedback. This could be Sent to Head Teachers directly by NCC and could be returned without the Head Teacher having to publish their name and school to help the Committee receive a true picture of the service level that EAS provide.