Education Parliamentary Monitor: Wales/Cymru.

Navigation: Main page

Author: Unknown

Covering education, children's services and training issues

Monday 22 May, 2006         No. 266        ISSN 1748-7625

This issue of EPM Wales/Cymru reports on education, children's services and training debates in the Welsh Assembly, the House of Commons and the House of Lords from 15 to 19 May 2006.

The full text of each debate is available electronically. To order a debate, send an email to epm@educationpublishing.com quoting the reference code given at the end of each report.

Activity

Welsh Assembly  Oral Questions: Welsh Lessons; Adult Learners
Welsh Assembly  Delegated Legislation: the Curriculum; GTC Wales
Welsh Assembly  Oral Questions, Health: Bilingual Teaching for Nurses
Welsh Assembly  Oral Questions, Sport: Dragon Sport Initiative
Welsh Assembly  Debate, Safeguarding Children
Welsh Assembly  Debate, HM Chief Inspector's Annual Report on Estyn

Welsh Assembly

Welsh Lessons, Adult Learners

Welsh Assembly o Oral Questions, First Minister o 16 May 2006

Alun Ffred Jones (PC, Caernarfon) requested the First Minister report "on any progress in the provision of Welsh lessons for adult learners," in answer to which the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan (Lab, Cardiff West) detailed six Welsh educational institutions that were becoming "dedicated language centres".

In response to Mr Jones' request that the Nant Gwrtheyrn centre in Llithfaen be "given an appropriate and prominent place in the new arrangements," the First Minister noted Nant Gwrtheyrn was sponsored by Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. He added "Bangor will have every right to work alongside Nant Gwrtheyrn" although "in future, the centre will work under the administrative lead of Bangor".

Denise Idris Jones (Lab, Conwy) emphasised the importance of making class work "easy to learn and full of fun," with which the Minister agreed, stating "it is vital that the course product of adult learning is as attractive as possible".

Surplus places

Peter Black (LDP, South Wales West) requested a statement on policy regarding surplus places in Welsh schools. The First Minister spoke of the worsening situation regarding gross surplus capacity which "ties up educational resources unproductively" and to avoid which school spaces had to be matched with numbers of pupils presently and in the future.

Mr Black suggested that by reducing class sizes, the gross surplus places problem "would not be such a grave one," given that local authorities could reorganise schools "in a more rational and considered manner". While agreeing that class size was a factor, the First Minister pointed out that consideration had also to be given to the condition of the school estate when local authorities made decisions concerning those schools on which money should be spent.

Primary education in Cardiff

Leanne Wood (PC, South Wales Central) requested a statement on primary education provision in Cardiff, to which the First Minister listed those schools in the area. In response to Ms Wood's request that the Minister consider changing the funding formula, he confirmed that Cardiff's problem with surplus school places "appears to be getting worse". Although aware of the campaign against school closures, he warned "the problem has not gone away" and the Council would undoubtedly submit alternative proposals as a result.

Jonathan Morgan (Con, South Wales Central) noted that the Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills had written to Cardiff County Council warning that they "be careful about how it used the formula to assess the exact position of surplus places in Cardiff". He questioned whether the Assembly Government was now "happy with the calculation". Although he confirmed Cardiff council had made "a major revision downwards" following Mrs Davidson's correspondence, the First Minister pointed out there was still a "substantial problem" particularly given that "the secondary school numbers in Cardiff are very high".

WA 2006/0199

Curriculum; GTC Wales

Welsh Assembly o Delegated Legislation o 16 May 2006

Jane Davidson (Lab, Pontypridd), the Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, proposed the approval of a number of statutory instruments. One was a commencement order under the Education Act 2005, which was agreed without debate. Another covered the disapplication of science at key stage 4 in the national curriculum, while a group of statutory instruments dealt with the functions of the General Teaching Council for Wales.

Science curriculum

The Minister proposed for approval the Education (National Curriculum for Wales) (Disapplication of Science at Key Stage 4) Regulations 2006. She noted that of the 30 responses received, support was unanimous for the proposals which gave schools flexibility to either teach the revised specifications for approved science qualifications or to continue with the existing national curriculum key stage 4 study programme. She added "the disapplication of the key stage 4 requirements for science will apply for a limited period of two years," during which proposals would be brought forward "for revisions to the national curriculum as a whole". Mrs Davidson explained ACCAC was conducting a review of the whole national curriculum using an holistic approach.

William Graham (Con, South Wales East) proposed an amendment to ensure that from September 2008, all school children in Wales would be able to study physics, chemistry and biology as separate subjects up to GCSE level. Whilst acknowledging the requirement for the regulations, he noted that the "revised specifications will not align with the requirements of the existing national curriculum programmes of study for science, leading to a mismatch".

Janet Ryder (PC, North Wales) voiced her support for the regulations "as a sensible way forward" but emphasised the shortage of young people wanting to study sciences at a higher level, and suggested the Minister put a more emphasis on recruiting teachers where there was a shortage.

Peter Black (LDP, South Wales West) called the regulations "sensible" given the need "to ensure that there is provision for flexibility in our application". While supporting the amendment "in principle" his main concern was "for the future for the sciences" given that courses were continuing to be lost, thereby leading to a science teacher shortage. He requested action be taken to secure the future of sciences.

Mrs Davidson gave her assurance that "science will remain core at key stage 4". She pointed out that "GCSE science has improved by 2.7 percentage points, and A-level by 5.5 percentage points, since 1999" while "the number of entries for science GCSEs has risen by 8 per cent". Mrs Davidson believed incentives in the form of additional funding would encourage people to become teachers of science, while the part of the Education Act 2005 provided schools with the opportunity to teach higher-education modules, thereby attracting young people into sciences.

The Conservative amendment was defeated by 20 votes to 29. The original motion was then carried by 48 votes to nil.

Commencement order

Jane Davidson then moved the approval of the Education Act 2005 (Commencement No.1) (Wales) Order 2006. This was carried unanimously, with 47 AMs voting in favour, without a debate.

GTC Wales

Mrs Davidson then proposed the approval of the General Teaching Council for Wales (Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, the General Teaching Council for Wales (Additional Functions) (Amendment) Order 2006 and the Education Act 2002 (Commencement No.10 and Transitional Provisions ) (Wales) Order 2006 under Standing Order No. 24.27 (iii) and (iv).

The Minister explained the three pieces of proposed legislation all "relate to giving GTCW the new powers to enable it to undertake suitability checks on teachers". The General Teaching Council for Wales (Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 amended the previous regulations of 2000; the General Teaching Council for Wales (Additional Functions) (Amendment) Order 2006 amended the General Teaching Council for Wales (Additional Functions) Order 2000; and the Education Act 2002 (Commencement No.10 and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Order 2006 commences the provisions of Schedule 12 to the Education Act 2002, itself amending the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998.

Mrs Davidson said that "the proposed legislation will provide an additional safeguard for children in Welsh schools", strengthening arrangements already in place and complementing the specific measures announced following the review of List 99. The legislation, to be in force by the end of May 2006, would mean "no teacher in Wales will be able to work in a Welsh school unless they have been deemed suitable by the General Teaching Council for Wales". Registration with GTCW would therefore be dependent on suitability rather than just on having qualified teacher status, while funding would be administered by the GTCW itself.

Janet Ryder (PC, North Wales) gave her full support and requested the information would be available to European Union member states. She questioned when the criteria would be drawn up by the teaching council, whether it matched the English criteria, whether it would be drawn up in conjunction with the unions and whether it would be made public. She asked whether every person holding a "recognised position at a school has undergone those checks and passed them".

David Davies (Con, Monmouth) expressed his concern over "what happens regarding teachers who are recruited from abroad" and asked whether it would be necessary to bring forward further legislation to ensure that all teachers, and not just British teachers, are subject to the same checks and balances.

Peter Black (LDP, South Wales West), while supporting the regulations, noted the recent Estyn report on the issue had uncovered "unsatisfactory" procedures in relation to teacher checks with the GTCW, inconsistent levels of awareness about procedures for making checks on teachers from overseas and "confusion among schools about who is responsible" for making said checks. He further voiced concern over the "confusion and lack of checks in relation to non-teaching staff" and called for "greater clarity and consistency in relation to vetting procedures for school governors, non-teaching staff, visitors to schools and other adults who may have access to children".

Mrs Davidson noted "the General Teaching Council for Scotland has been carrying out similar functions for some time" while "the General Teaching Council for England is likely to carry out such functions in the future". Given that it would run alongside the current checks, Mrs Davidson noted "the suitability check is an extra tool". With regard to teachers from overseas, she gave an assurance that "arrangements and guidance are already in place". In terms of the Estyn report, Mrs Davidson pointed out that she commissioned the research and now intended "to discuss this in the Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Committee" and commission a further report. All the motions were carried unanimously.

WA 2006/0200

Bilingual Teaching for Nurses

Welsh Assembly o Oral Questions, Health o 17 May 2006

During questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services, Alun Ffred Jones (PC, Caernarfon) requested a statement on financial assistance for bilingual teaching in the university college Bangor school of nursing. Brian Gibbons (Lab, Aberavon), the Minister for Health & Social Services, replied that "Welsh health programmes are negotiated with the five higher education providers following analysis of the workforce plans" and "budget allocation identifies the additional cost of bilingual provision".

Mr Jones noted Bangor did not receive additional funding to meet the costs of preparing Welsh-language materials and asked the Minister to "revisit this provision", to which Mr Gibbons responded "I will take that away".

Mark Isherwood (Con, North Wales) expressed the concerns of newly qualified bilingual nurses within North West Wales NHS Trust who "were informed that no jobs were available". Although agreeing the "main priority" of the health service "is to deliver health services to patients in the local area… in a way that is sensitive to cultural needs," Mr Gibbons pointed out that "each health service organisation must use its resources to deliver services to patients and to deliver financial balance".

WA 2006/0201

Dragon Sport Initiative

Welsh Assembly o Oral Questions, Sport o 17 May 2006

During questions to the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, John Griffiths (Lab, Newport East) requested an update on the Dragon Sport initiative. Alun Pugh (Lab, Clwyd West), the Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport, said that "96 per cent of our primary and junior schools and nearly 103,000 children" had taken part in Dragon Sport activities in the last year.

Glyn Davies (Con, Mid & West Wales) noted "an important aspect of the programme is the ability to play on playing fields and green spaces in schools" and asked the Minister to "improve the record keeping in terms of the way in which playing fields are being used". Mr Pugh, while noting the disposal of school playing fields "is not a systematic problem across Wales," confirmed that when there were occasional "problems with specific sites," advice was taken from the Sports Council for Wales.

WA 2006/0202

Safeguarding Children

Welsh Assembly o Debate o 17 May 2006

Jane Davidson (Lab, Pontypridd), the Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, proposed a lengthy motion that sought the National Assembly's agreement that the Welsh Assembly Government had satisfied the requirements of the Standing Order No. 31 proposal by Gwenda Thomas that was debated in Plenary on 23 November 2005. What the motion boiled down to was a confirmation of plans to bring forward secondary legislation to commence section 175 of the Education Act 2002, placing local education authorities, governing bodies and further education institutions under a statutory duty to safeguard children.

Mrs Davidson reported that in January, the Assembly agreed the Education Act 2002 (Commencement No. 8) (Wales) Order 2006, bringing section 175 into force from 1 September 2006. She further noted that guidance for schools, local authorities and further education institutions would shortly be issued for consultation and would reflect the terms of the motion regarding the nomination of a named governor responsible for child protection matters and the setting up of databases of nominated governors.

Gwenda Thomas (Lab, Neath) supported the motion, which she called "a further step forward in safeguarding and protecting our children".

Jocelyn Davies (PC, South Wales East) expressed concern that the Assembly had not had sight of the guidance, while the training and support "vital to the success of this measure" were not in place. Ms Davies asked which local authorities had implemented the proposal and requested timetable relating to the fulfilment of the Standing Order No. 31 proposal.

The Motion was carried by 42 votes to 11.

WA 2006/0203

Estyn Chief Inspector's Report

Welsh Assembly o Debate, Estyn Annual Report o 17 May 2006

Jane Davidson (Lab, Ponytpridd), the Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, began a debate on the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools and the work of Estyn. The Minister noted that "standards in schools are rising" and that "behaviour is assessed as good in almost all primary schools and 83 per cent of secondary schools" while "the quality of teaching continues to improve year on year".

Challenges including "improving the achievement of boys," which was an issue Mrs Davidson confirmed she had asked Estyn to review, together with on arrangements for child protection. On the issue of disadvantage, she mentioned the new Flying Start programme and reported that an agreement had been reached "on the new £16 million raising attainment and individual standards in education in Wales programme". Mrs Davidson expressed concern that "examination results at GCSE have improved only slightly since last year," representing a slowed down increase, but spoke of her confidence in the work on 14-19 learning pathways, revisions to the curriculum and the introduction of the Welsh baccalaureate.

Mrs Davidson admitted work was still required in the post-16 sector, although "colleges have now passed the national target for 18 per cent of work to be grade 1 by 2007" and "the proportion of teaching with outstanding features and no important shortcomings is above 80 per cent" with "standards achieved by adults in community-based learning" being "good or better in 84 per cent of classes". On work-based learning, she emphasised her commitment to continuing "to improve the quality of provision in this area", including "a £670,000 project… to support and train providers who deliver skills in a work-based context", increasing funding for delivering basic skills in work-based settings and the provision of "support for those providers who need help to improve". Ms Davidson concluded "there is still much to do", adding that the policy document "The Learning Country 2 is out to consultation at the moment and it considers these specific issues".

William Graham (Con, South Wales East) proposed a number of amendments. He wanted funding to be directed towards reducing the number of children not in education, training or employment. He was concerned over "the lack of effective strategies to help learners keep up their attendance" and over "the failure to address education issues relating to the youth justice system". He wanted the "0 per cent growth in real terms in further education spending" be addressed; and the Government meet its set examination targets in secondary schools and colleges. He also wanted a performance comparison of Welsh schools and English schools in deprived areas. Mr Graham acknowledged the report as being "thorough and comprehensive" but expressed his concern that "the chief inspector's report clearly indicates that this agenda is not working properly". He called for all-party support to resolve child protection issues such as training and procedures, a reduction in the number of children leaving school with inadequate skills and improving the condition of the school estate.

Poor school buildings

Peter Black (LDP, South Wales West) proposed a number of amendments on behalf of his party. He attacked the unacceptable condition of some school buildings. He wanted more resources and powers for community consortia for education and training and 14-19 networks and an improvement in provision for learning for young people with mental health problems. He also recognised the need for LEAs to address the lack of provision of full-time education for excluded pupils.

Janet Ryder (PC, North Wales) spoke of "areas of concern" highlighted by the report, not least of which was the evidence that students were failing to complete their courses and that support was required to encourage an increasing number of 14-year-olds into college. She, too, spoke of her concerns over work-based training and the need to address both this and the issues raised over shortcomings in school arrangements for child protection.

Jeff Cuthbert (Lab, Caerphilly) noted the "enormous advances have been made in terms of education and learning in Wales" shown by the report. His concerns related to "the need for more work in the FE and work-based learning sectors to increase standards and decrease the disparities in quality" and the need to align the education system "with the demands of the modern workforce". Mr Cuthbert stated "if we are to attract the higher-value-added jobs and raise the levels of basic skills in Wales, more FE colleges and work-based learning providers need to be empowered to offer high-quality work experience in partnership with community businesses". He concluded by echoing Mr Graham's comments on the youth justice system and the failure to improve these standards.

Mrs Davidson, concluding the debate, noted "there has been strong agreement … about the key areas in which we need to invest in order to improve the education system in Wales". She spoke of the RAISE grant, which "will target the largest cohorts of the most disadvantaged" and of "radical steps" being taken in terms of the youth justice system.

All the Conservative amendments were easily defeated. Two amendments in the name of Kirsty Williams (LDP, Brecon and Radnorshire) were carried unanimously, by 43 votes to nil. These called for an improvement in provision for learning for young people with mental health problems and recognition of the need for LEAs to address the lack of provision of full-time education for excluded pupils. The amended motion was carried unanimously.

WA 2006/0204

Committees

The Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Committee met on Thursday 18 May. Its agenda included scrutiny of the Assembly Learning Grant and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. It received a presentation on the youth service from the WAG. The Committee also considered its operational plan for 2006-07.

The Education Lifelong Learning and Skills Committee will meet on 7 June, 22 June, 5 July, 20 September, 5 October, 18 October, 9 November, 22 November and 7 December 2006.

The Committee on School Funding met in private on Wednesday 17 May.

The Committee on School Funding will next meet on 8 June.

Westminster

There were no debates on education, children's services or training in Wales in the House of Commons or the House of Lords last week. There were no early day motions tabled by Welsh MPs.

Delegated Legislation

The following statutory instruments on education, children's services and training in Wales, or England and Wales, were issued last week.

2006/870 (W.80) (C.20) Correction slip            Wales

The Children Act 2004 (Commencement No. 7) (Wales) Order 2006

Correction slip (to ISBN 0110913183) dated May 2006. Free. ISBN: 9999057519.

2006/873 (W.81) Correction slip                   Wales

The Staffing of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2006

Correction slip (to ISBN 011091306X) dated May 2006. Free.

2006/1274                                        England and Wales

The Education (School Teachers' Pay and Conditions) Order 2006

Enabling power: Education Act 2002, ss. 122 (1), 123, 124, 210 (7).

Issued: 16.05.2006. Made: 09.05.2006. Laid: 11.05.2006. Coming into force: 01.06.2006.

Effect: School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2005 (ISBN 0 112711804 which was given legal effect by (S.I. 2005/2212)) amended. Classification: general. £3.00. ISBN: 0110745604.

2006/1277 (W.122)                    Wales

The Education (Parenting Orders) (Wales) Regulations 2006

Enabling power: Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, ss. 20 (1), 21 (4), 94 (2).

Issued: 17.05.2006. Made: 10.05.2006. Laid: -. Coming into force: 11.05.2006.

Effect: None. Classification: general. £3.00. ISBN: 0110913361.

Future Activity

• 29 May to 4 June, half term recess.
• 17 July to 17 September, summer recess.