The Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee of Carmarthenshire Council met on Tuesday 14 October 2025 to discuss a range of important educational matters. Key decisions included recommending the initiation of consultations to change the age ranges of four primary schools to include 3-year-olds and to reconfigure nursery provision in Ammanford. The committee also reviewed updates on the Modernising Education Programme, the Welsh for Adults service, and the council's annual report.

Modernising Education Programme

The committee considered proposals to amend 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. This change is a consequence of the council's decision to remove the Rising 4s Policy, which means children will now start full-time education the term after their fourth birthday. The report indicated that this would increase demand for early education for three-year-olds. A gap analysis had identified these four schools as having insufficient provision within a reasonable distance for this age group, with cognisance also taken of areas of deprivation.

The committee unanimously resolved to recommend that the Cabinet approves the initiation of consultation on these proposals.

In a related item, the committee also considered proposals to reconfigure nursery provision in Ammanford from September 2026. This involves discontinuing Ammanford Nursery School, which is the only maintained nursery school in the county providing full-time education for 3-5 year olds, and extending the age range at Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman from 4-11 to 3-11. This reconfiguration aims to provide a minimum of 10 hours of non-statutory Early Years education entitlement and promote greater equity of provision across Carmarthenshire. Concerns were raised about the potential for an unavoidable bottleneck for nurseries in the short term due to capacity constraints, but officers assured the committee that they were working closely with headteachers and private providers to ensure adequate space and address potential issues through a comprehensive consultation process. The committee also noted concerns regarding the future demand for the Welsh stream within Ysgol Bro Banw and was informed that the authority would be monitoring this to support its vision of increasing Welsh-medium education.

The committee unanimously resolved to recommend that the Cabinet approves the initiation of consultation on these proposals.

Welsh for Adults Update

An update was provided on the current position of the Welsh for Adults provision in Carmarthenshire. Since September 2024, Learn Welsh Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Powys, under Aberystwyth University, has been responsible for all Learn Welsh provision in the county. The committee was pleased to note a 23% increase in learners since 2023-24, indicating a successful transition. However, members requested further information on promotional methods, course locations, enrolment figures, learner progress, exam success rates, mentoring initiatives, and provision for businesses.

The committee resolved to receive the report and requested an update report incorporating the requested information.

Council's Annual Report 2024/25

The committee reviewed the Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee Annual Report for the previous municipal year. The report detailed the committee's work programme and key issues addressed. The committee endorsed the report and requested further information from the Marketing and Media division regarding initiatives to promote public engagement within the scrutiny process.

Forward Work Plan 2025/26

The draft Forward Work Plan for 2025/26 was reviewed. A request was made for an informal development session to explore issues faced by schools and Education Welfare Officers regarding absenteeism. The committee also suggested reviewing key risks and opportunities relevant to its remit when considering service delivery plans, alongside performance and financial monitoring targets.

The committee unanimously approved the Forward Work Plan for 2025/26, subject to the inclusion of these suggestions and a previously requested update report on Welsh for Adults provision.

Explanation for Non-Submission of Scrutiny Report

An explanation was provided for the non-submission of a scrutiny report on the position of school budgets in primary, secondary, and special schools. The committee noted the explanation and requested an interim report on school budgets, including a summary of reasons for any school deficits where possible.

Forthcoming Items

The committee noted a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting on 14 October 2025.