The Scrutiny Performance Panel – Education met on Thursday 14 November 2024 to discuss several key issues affecting the council's education services. The panel reviewed the strategy for poverty-proofing the school day, progress on the Inclusion Strategy including an update on the behaviour strategy, and received briefings on the school admissions policy and careers advice in schools.

School Admissions Policy

The panel discussed the school admissions policy, focusing on the oversubscription criteria. Concerns were raised by parents regarding the policy's impact on siblings, particularly when families live within the school's catchment area. The current policy prioritises children in care, followed by those living within the catchment area, then siblings, and finally distance as a tie-breaker.

Parents argued that children living in catchment with a sibling already attending the school should be given higher priority than simply living within the catchment area or by distance. They highlighted the emotional distress and practical difficulties caused by siblings being separated into different schools.

However, the Admissions Forum and officers presented data indicating that instances of refusal for siblings within catchment are extremely low, with only three such cases over six years, and two of those children were subsequently offered places. They argued that amending the criteria to prioritise siblings within catchment would disadvantage other children, such as first-born or only children, or those with specific needs, potentially increasing their travel distances and impacting vulnerable communities like asylum seekers. The current policy was deemed fair and equitable, meeting parental preferences in over 97% of cases, and the availability of school places was identified as a more significant factor in refusals than the oversubscription criteria itself. The independent appeals process was also highlighted as a mechanism for considering individual family circumstances.

Strategy for Poverty Proofing the School Day

The panel received an update on the Education Directorate's strategy to mitigate the impact of poverty on children and young people. Key initiatives discussed included the Pupil Development Grant (PDG), which provides funding to schools for pupils eligible for free school meals, and the rollout of universal free school meals to all primary school pupils. The report detailed how PDG is used to support learning, health and wellbeing, and parental engagement, with interventions ranging from purchasing support packages to providing IT equipment.

The universal free school meal initiative, which aims to tackle child poverty and ensure no child goes hungry, has seen an increasing uptake, averaging 66%. Challenges remain in some schools regarding capital works to accommodate the increased numbers and encouraging higher uptake, with some children preferring packed lunches due to tradition or unfamiliarity with school meals. The report also addressed the cost of the school day, reminding schools to consider the financial burden on parents for trips, non-uniform days, and other activities. The school uniform grant, now known as the School Essentials Grant, was also discussed, providing financial support for eligible pupils.

Careers Advice in Schools

The panel received a briefing on the careers advice, information, and guidance provided in Swansea schools. The report highlighted the strong partnership between Swansea Council and Careers Wales, which delivers impartial guidance to young people. Every secondary school has a partnership agreement with Careers Wales, with access to careers advisers, business engagement advisers, and curriculum support for Careers and Work-Related Experiences (CWRE).

From September 2024, all pupils in years 10 and 11 are offered a guidance interview, with tailored support for vulnerable groups. The report detailed the significant number of one-to-one interactions and group sessions delivered, and noted that careers advisers are highly valued by young people for their guidance. The council is also working to upskill careers advisers on local economic developments, such as the City Deal. Business Engagement Advisers facilitate links between schools and employers, with 132 employer engagement activities taking place in the last academic year. The integration of CWRE into the Curriculum for Wales, from early years upwards, was also discussed, with Swansea's networking approach being recognised as good practice.

Progress with Inclusion Strategy

The panel received an update on the Vulnerable Learners Service Inclusion Strategy, which encompasses a range of services including Additional Learning Needs (ALN), pupil referral units, education welfare, and safeguarding. The strategy aims to promote attendance, inclusion, and embed a shared ethos of support. Attendance remains a challenge, but efforts are being made to improve it through the Education Welfare Service and family engagement.

The report detailed progress in promoting inclusion, aiming to reduce exclusions and the use of part-time timetables, acknowledging an increase in exclusions nationally and locally due to factors like the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and an increase in learners with ALN and neurodiverse learners. A revised behaviour strategy is being co-developed with schools and stakeholders. Significant progress has been made in providing specialist places for learners with ALN, with proposals to redesignate and expand Special Teaching Facilities. The strategy also focuses on embedding a shared inclusion ethos through an Accessibility Strategy and the use of ALN Capital Grant for building improvements and sensory equipment. The Emotional Health and Psychological Wellbeing priority is being addressed through training packages and a recommissioned school-based counselling service.

Workplan 2024/25

The panel noted the work programme for the upcoming year, which includes further discussions on the Curriculum for Wales, school visits, the strategy for poverty proofing the school day, the Inclusion Strategy, school admissions, careers advice, annual education performance, and the education budget.