City and County of Cardiff Dinas a Sir Caerdydd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF DINAS A SIR CAERDYDD COUNCIL 25 SEPTEMBER 2003 CABINET PROPOSAL AGENDA ITEM: Supplementary Education Strategic Plan Reasons for the Report 1. The Welsh Assembly Government requires each Council to submit a Supplementary Education Strategic Plan (SUPESP) annually in the two years immediately following the approval of the three-year Education Strategic Plan (ESP). Background 2. The ESP for 2002-2005 was approved by the Council in April 2002 and received Welsh Assembly Government approval in September 2002. 3. The SUPESP provides a report and evaluation of progress with the objectives outlined in the main ESP. The SUPESP also outlines the key actions to be taken in 2003-2004. 4. A draft of the report and evaluation has been submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government, subject to local political approval. The Issues 5. In those objectives concerning Theme 1 of the ESP- Achievement and Inclusion - progress is recorded as follows: good progress in the standards achieved by pupils has been maintained at Key Stage1 (KS1) and KS2; there has also been improvement at KS3 but more slowly than KS1 and KS2; many indicators are in line with the Page 1 of 6 Wales average; standards in Welsh first language are consistently above the Wales average; achievement post 16 remains strong and there has been little progress in the standards recorded at KS4. Effective work has continued in Early Years in both the maintained and non-maintained sectors; inspection reports continue to record good standards in the Early Years; good progress is being made with plans to establish the first Integrated Centre and work has continued to enhance childcare provision. Inspection of the Cardiff Advisory Service has confirmed the good work taking place in literacy, numeracy, science and information and communications technology. There has been a strong response by secondary schools to the strategy designed to raise standards at KS3; work has continued to improve transition in curricular planning, progression and continuity between KS2/KS3 with all schools being involved in this work by September 2003. The first steps have been taken to develop a KS4 strategy: this has involved undertaking work to improve the achievement data available and to develop the curriculum through shared vocational provision to meet the needs of a wider range of learners at this key stage. In special educational needs, work has continued to implement the Pupil Support Service action plan. A training programme for schools concerning positive approaches to the management of behaviour has also begun. Improving attendance remains a priority through improving the provision of data, work with schools facing the greatest challenges and truancy sweeps. The post inspection action plan of the Ethnic Minority Achievement service has continued to be implemented. The pilot of the Pupil Level Annual School Census has been successfully completed and the transfer of data electronically between the Authority and schools has increased. 6. In those objectives concerning Theme 2 of the ESP- Building learning Communities - progress is recorded as follows: there has been continued development of out-of-school hours provision and learning centres; the first PE and sport curriculum development centre has been established in the Llanrumney High School cluster and plans to use NOF funding for improved facilities for school and community use are well developed. The Leisure and Lifelong Learning service has continued to implement actions Page 2 of 6 associated with the notion of Cardiff as a City of Learning; accessible learning centres in each locality are being progressed; the development of a wide range of partnerships has continued; the involvement of young people and adults from economically disadvantaged areas in learning remains a priority involving the development of essential skills programmes and youth mentoring. Good progress is being made in the number of schools establishing School Councils and in the number registering as Healthy Schools and Eco Schools. Projects to improve learning have been developed further encompassing opportunities for teachers to undertake classroom research, work with schools as learning organisations and a home-school learning project in conjunction with Higher Education. 7. In those objectives concerning Theme 3 of the ESP- Leadership, Efficiency and Accountability - progress is recorded as follows: support for teachers’ professional development has continued through a comprehensive and high quality Inset programme; support for NQTs; performance management in schools and the Authority. A review of schools’ and secondary departments’ self- evaluation and planning for improvement has been completed. More systematic procedures have been put in place to identify and support schools in difficulty; there has been good progress in several schools but also slow progress in some. The training programme for governing bodies has been maintained and there has been a reduction in governor vacancies. Reviews of the funding formula and of school balances have been carried out and training provided on aspects of financial management. Asset renewal and capital programmes have been delivered; a methodology for creating asset management plans has been prepared and surveys begun; most parents got their first choice of secondary school; Welsh medium places have been increased and the school organisation plan updated. 8. Key actions for the year ahead include: · carrying out work to extend Early Years entitlement for three year olds; · beginning preparation for the introduction of the Foundation Phase; Page 3 of 6 · developing the Integrated children’s centre; · maintaining and developing our school improvement strategies in literacy, early literacy intervention, numeracy, Welsh, science, ICT, KS3, KS4; · improving the analysis and use of data; · taking forward work on inclusion including revising the SEN strategy, implementing the behaviour support plan and attendance strategy; · developing further the 14-19 action plan; · developing community focused schools; · drawing together and further developing work on learning and teaching; · enhancing professional development for NQTs, school leaders, the Authority’s staff; · improving self-evaluation and forward planning, especially in secondary schools; · making best use of resources. Reasons for Recommendations 9. Implementation of the recommendations will enable the Council to comply with its statutory obligations. Page 4 of 6 ADVICE This report has been prepared in consultation with Corporate Managers and reflects their collective advice. It contains all the information necessary to allow Members to arrive at a reasonable view, taking into account the advice contained in this section. The Corporate Manager responsible for this report is Judith Smith. Legal Implications The approval of Education Strategic Plan is a shared function between the Executive and Council. There are no others except as outlined in the body of the report. All decisions taken by or on behalf of the Council must (a) be within the legal powers of the Council; (b) comply with any procedural requirement imposed by law; (c) be within the powers of the body or person exercising powers on behalf of the Council; (d) be undertaken in accordance with the procedural requirements imposed by the Council e.g. standing orders and financial regulations; (e) be fully and properly informed; (f) be properly motivated; (g) be taken having regard to the Council's fiduciary duty to its taxpayers; and (h) be reasonable and proper in all the circumstances. Financial Implications All of the planned developments and improvements to services identified in the Education Strategic Plan have to be funded from within the resources allocated to the Schools and Leisure and Lifelong Learning Services. The Supplementary Education Strategic Plan provides a report and evaluation of the progress made to date on meeting those objectives and this has been achieved within the constraints of the budget that is available. Human Resources Implications There are no immediate Human Resources implications arising from this report. Progress against key themes within the Education Strategic Plan and key actions for the year ahead are noted. Consequences Approval of the SUPESP will enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations. BYRON DAVIES Chief Executive 30 July 2003 Page 5 of 6 Background Papers: A copy of the full Supplementary Education Strategic Plan is available from the Chief Schools Officer. CABINET PROPOSAL Council is requested to note the summary of the Supplementary Education Strategic Plan and to give its approval to the Plan. The following Appendix is attached: Appendix 1 – Supplementary Education Strategic Plan Page 6 of 6 City and County of Cardiff Supplementary Education Strategic Plan 2002-2005 City and County of Cardiff Schools Service Supplementary Education Strategic Plan - April 2003 Contents Page No. Introduction 3 Supplementary Education Strategic Plan 2002-2003 4 Progress Report and Evaluation 4 Theme One : Achievement and Inclusion 4 Objective 1: Early Years education 4 Objective 2: Literacy 8 Objective 3: Welsh and Welsh second language 15 Objective 4: Numeracy 18 Objective 5: Science 20 Objective 6: IT and ICT 22 Objective 7: Improving progression from key stage 2 to key stage 3 and raise standards at key stage 3 25 Objective 8: Standards at key stage 4 29 Objective 9: Special educational needs; looked after children 33 Objective 10: Improving the attainment of