Cyngor Gwynedd - Education Performance Report Fact Check...

Cyngor Gwynedd council held a Cabinet meeting on the 10th October, 2023. Once again, there are problems wth the translated feed and only the Welsh version is working - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/814616

One item of note was the Performance Report of the Cabinet Member for Education, presented by Beca Brown. It begins - The purpose of this report is to update you on what has been achieved in the field for which I, as Cabinet Member for Education, have responsibility. This includes addressing the summer results, the Estyn inspection of the Authority's Education services, as well as outlining the latest with the pledges made in the Council Plan; the Department's day-to-day work; as well as the latest in terms of savings and cuts schemes.

Mention is made of the recent Estyn report and the member states - The report is very positive and I am very proud of that, since it is testament to the hard work and contribution of everyone within the system. The Estyn report raises concerns with pupils in need of social, emotional and behavioural support - However, neither the status of, nor the steps for accessing the behaviour support hubs, are wholly clear. Senior leaders also do not have a strategic overview of the outcomes or nature and quality of this provision. https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files?file=2023-09/Inspection%20report%20Cyngor%20Gwynedd%202023_0.pdf

The high number of absences and exclusions from school are concerning. How many of these pupils have additional learning needs? The reality is that even after specialist intervention some schools in Gwynedd do not implememt the support recommended...

Then there is the sudden resignation of the Head of Education. The former Head was ultimately responsible for special needs provision - who has that responsibility now?

Estyn also mentions safeguarding - Safeguarding arrangements within the education service are generally sound. Officers understand their roles and responsibilities in this area and work effectively with children’s services officers. The recent arrest of a high paygrade employee shows the absurdity of this statement. Did this employee ever support Estyn in their inspections? Concerns of sexual harassment, bullying and drug taking have been raised for some time. What of the school governors? Also the children's services officers? How have they dealt with these concerns?

For what it's worth, the cabinet member's report can be found in the agnda pack here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/documents/g5055/Public%20reports%20pack%2010th-Oct-2023%2013.00%20The%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10

Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council...