The Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 24 June 2025 to discuss proposals for modernising education within the county. Key decisions included recommending the initiation of consultation on changing the age range of four primary schools to include 3-year-olds and reconfiguring nursery provision in Ammanford by discontinuing Ammanford Nursery School and extending the age range of Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman. The committee also received updates on the Welsh for Adults provision, the annual report for 2024/25, and the forward work plan for 2025/26.

Modernising Education Programme: Changing School Age Ranges

The committee considered proposals to change the age range of four primary schools – Ysgol Cwrt Henri, Ysgol Llanybydder, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Tymbl, and Ysgol Y Ddwylan – from 4-11 to 3-11, effective from September 2026. These proposals stem from the County Council's decision to remove the Rising 4s Policy, which previously allowed children to start full-time education in the term they turned four. The new policy means children will start full-time school the term after their fourth birthday, creating a gap for three-year-olds.

The aim of extending the age range to 3-11 is to provide a minimum of 10 hours of non-statutory early years education for three-year-olds, ensuring greater equity of provision across Carmarthenshire. This change is expected to support early development, aid transition into primary school, and potentially increase pupil numbers, thereby enhancing school sustainability. The proposals have received positive feedback from headteachers, governing bodies, and local members during initial discussions. The committee unanimously resolved to recommend that the Cabinet approve the initiation of consultation on these proposals.

Modernising Education Programme: Reconfiguring Nursery Provision in Ammanford

The committee also discussed proposals to reconfigure nursery provision in Ammanford, also in response to the removal of the Rising 4s Policy. The key proposals are to discontinue Ammanford Nursery School and, concurrently, extend the age range of Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman from 4-11 to 3-11. This reconfiguration aims to provide equitable early years education provision across the county, aligning Ammanford with other 3-11 primary schools.

Ammanford Nursery is the county's only maintained nursery school and currently offers full-time provision for three-year-olds, which is inconsistent with other maintained schools offering part-time provision. The proposed changes would ensure that former Ammanford Nursery pupils would continue to receive education on a part-time basis under the governance of Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, or at an alternative school based on parental preference. The committee unanimously resolved to recommend that the Cabinet approve the initiation of consultation on these proposals.

Welsh for Adults Update

An update was provided on the transition of the Welsh for Adults provision. From 1 September 2024, Learn Welsh Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Powys, under Aberystwyth University, became responsible for all Learn Welsh provision in Carmarthenshire. Tutors and learners were transferred smoothly, and the number of learners has increased by 23% since the previous year, with 644 learners taking courses in Carmarthenshire in 2024-25. The National Centre for Learning Welsh has monitored the transfer and is satisfied with the delivery arrangements. Discussions are ongoing between the university and the County Council to explore further strategic provision.

Annual Report 2024/25 and Forward Work Plan 2025/26

The committee received and endorsed the Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for 2024/25. This report detailed the committee's activities, including performance monitoring, budget reviews, and scrutiny of various educational programmes and policies. The committee also reviewed and approved its draft Forward Work Plan for 2025/26, which will focus on areas such as the continued pressures on services, recovery in schools, the implementation of the Modernising Education Programme, and the impact of Additional Learning Needs reform.

Other Matters

The committee also noted an explanation for the non-submission of a scrutiny report regarding school budgets, with an interim report to be provided. Forthcoming items for the next meeting on 14 October 2025 were also noted, including the Council Annual Report, budget outturn positions, and updates on Estyn inspection recommendations. The committee also unanimously resolved to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 May 2025.