Overview and Scrutiny
Schools and Learning Committee
The role of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to review and scrutinise services delivered to improve outcomes for children, young people and adult learners and to support the raising of educational standards and outcomes.
The remit and scope of the Committee is as follows:
- Educational outcomes at all stages, particularly at Key Stage 4
- School performance, including support provided to schools
- School categorisation
- School support through regional working (i.e. ERW)
- Individual Schools (via a Schools Scrutiny Panel)
- Inclusion Services
- Youth Support and other community based services (including Adult Learning)
- Post-16 learning, skills and training
- Memorandum of Understanding with Pembrokeshire College
- Music Service
- Sports Development
- Children’s voice and participation
- Financial arrangements relation to schools and learning
- Safeguarding in Education
The Committee has 13 members and four statutory co-optees and will meet at least five times per year. Details of Committee members and future meetings, along with the Committee Work Programme can be found via the links below.
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee (opens new window)
Committee meeting dates:
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme: meeting June 2022
‘One-off’ Committee Items
Topic: Learning within the Outdoor Provision Audit
To receive an update following the audit of the current practice of Learning in the Outdoors for all statutory school age and Post-16 learners and for it to be linked in with the new curriculum.
Topic: Strategy For Pembrokeshire 2027 and Road Map for Improvement
To consider the Strategy For Pembrokeshire 2027 and the Roadmap with associated data.
Topic: Elective Home Education
To receive an update on the current position of Elective Home Education pupils (following on from the January 2021 Committee report)
Topic: Welsh in Education Strategic Plan
To consider and scrutinise the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan prior to Cabinet endorsement in July 2022
Standing Items / Recurring Items
Topic: Forward Work Programme
To agree the Committees Forward Work Programme for the ensuing meetings and to make any necessary amendments.
Topic: Directorate Plan Update
To monitor performance in the Inclusion, Performance and Community, Resources and Governance and School Improvement Services
Topic: Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of Post-16 Education in Pembrokeshire
To annually review the effectiveness of the MOU for delivery of Post-16 Education in Pembrokeshire prior to consideration by Council, as per decision in October 2018 and for the June 2022 update to include all-inclusive data relating to Post-16 education within the County.
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme: meeting 1st March 2022
‘One-off’ Committee Items
Topic: Performance Monitoring Report
To scrutinise the barriers to performance including staff absence data, staff retention figures and Autumn term outcomes.
Topic: Trauma Informed Schools
To scrutinise the effectiveness of the roll out of the Trauma Informed Schools Programme, in both Primary and Secondary schools.
Standing Items / Recurring Items
Topic: Forward Work Programme
To agree the Committees Forward Work Programme for the ensuing meetings and to make any necessary amendments.
Topic: Section 175 Safeguarding Audit
To consider the annual Safeguarding Audit
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme: meeting 22nd January 2022
‘One-off’ Committee Items
Topic: School Bursaries
To scrutinise the equality of access to bursaries within post 16 education settings.
Topic: School Performance Reporting
Standing Items / Recurring Items
Topic: Forward Work Programme
To agree the Committees Forward Work Programme for the ensuing meetings and to make any necessary amendments.
Topic: Directorate Plan Update
To monitor performance in the Inclusion, Performance and Community, Resources and Governance and School Improvement Services
Topic: Curriculum Update
To receive regular updates on preparations for the implementation of the new curriculum – 'Our National Mission – A Transformational Curriculum'
Topic: Outline Draft County Council Budget 2021-22 and Outline Draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2022-23 to 2025-26
To scrutinise proposals for the Council’s budget and Council Tax levels for 2021-22
Topic: Whistleblowing in Schools Annual Report
To receive an annual update on whistleblowing in schools
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme: meeting 25th November 2021
‘One-off’ Committee Items
Topic: School Improvement Presentation
To receive an update from the newly appointed Head of School Improvement and Commissioning.
Topic: Schools Formula Funding Review Update
For the Committee to be presented with a two part update to allow scrutiny and to ensure transparency;
- The draft details of the Formula Funding review
- The financial sustainability of 21st Century Schools
Topic: Safeguarding Section 175 School Safeguarding Audit Action Plan
To scrutinise the RAG rated Safeguarding Services Section 175 School Safeguarding Audit Action Plan
Standing Items / Recurring Items
Topic: Forward Work Programme
To agree the Committees Forward Work Programme for the ensuing meetings and to make any necessary amendments.
Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme: meeting 30th September 2021
‘One-off’ Committee Items
Topic: ERW Support to Pembrokeshire Schools
To scrutinise the work of ERW with the Managing Director in attendance, in relation to the support and challenge offered to Pembrokeshire’s schools.
Topic: Covid recovery for Education, Children, Young People & Schools
To apprise the Committee of work being undertaken within the Education Service Directorate to support the Covid-19 recovery process
Topic: Planning School Places
To receive a report outlining the strategy to assess the economic effect on planning school places in order for the Authority to construct an effective strategy for future covering;
- Economic Development
- Local Development Plan
- Management of School Assets
- Localised Figures (Pembrokeshire)
Standing Items / Recurring Items
Topic: Forward Work Programme
To agree the Committees Forward Work Programme for the ensuing meetings and to make any necessary amendments.
Topic: Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
To provide an integrated review of the main activity of the Committee over the past year, as well as looking forward to future challenges and areas for improvement
Topic: Directorate Plan Update
To monitor performance in the Inclusion, Performance and Community, Resources and Governance and School Improvement Services
Notices of Motion
As received. To respond to any Notices of Motion referred to the Committee
Task and Finish/Working groups
Estyn Action Plan Working Group
Scrutiny Panel Visits
To undertake a programme of visiting individual schools
Strategic Partnerships
- ERW
- Regional Learning and Skills Partnership
- Pembrokeshire College
Terms of reference
Purpose
The Schools & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee will review and scrutinise services delivered to improve outcomes for children, young people and adult learners.
Role and function
To support the raising of educational standards and outcomes for learners
Remit and scope
Educational outcomes at all stages, particularly at Key Stage 4
- School performance, including support provided to schools
- School categorisation
- School support through regional working (i.e. ERW)
- Individual schools (via a Schools Scrutiny Panel)
- Inclusion services
- Youth support and other community based services (including Adult Learning)
- Post-16 learning, skills and training
- MOU with Pembrokeshire College
- Music Service
- Sports Development
- Children’s voice and participation
- Financial arrangements relating to schools and learning
- Safeguarding in Education
Procedure
The Committee will conduct its proceedings in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in Section 7 of the Council’s Constitution.
Membership
There will be 13 Members on the Committee + 4 statutory co-optees
Frequency of meetings
The Schools & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet at least 5 times per municipal year.