Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Consideration was given to the GCSE and A Level results 2024 (Provisional) It was reported that official data had recently been published by the Welsh Government as provided in the following tables. Final data would be available in December, so it was noted that this was provisional data. Currently the set of data published by the Welsh Government in terms of results had reduced considerably over the years, with points scores now being published. Below were the official WG provisional results – the final data would be published at the beginning of December, but usually there was little change. Ceredigion 2024 Position in Wales Wales 2024 Capped points score (Capped9) 364 3 351 Language / Literature points 41 1 39 Mathematics / Numeracy points 39 3 36 Science points 39 1 36 Challenge Certificato (BACC) points 39 2 32 Regarding the A Level data, see below, which shows the percentages of specific grades across all A Level subjects: Ceredigion 2024 Wales 2024 A* - A grades 31.1 30.1 A* - B grades 58.7 55.2 A* - C grades 80.8 78.0 A* - E grades 99.8 99.5 It was AGREED to note the report for information and to congratulate the pupils and teachers on their excellent results.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Wyn Thomas introduced the report and stated as it was agreed at a Cabinet meeting held on 11 January 2022 that it would be timely to carry out a review of the post-16 provision in Ceredigion. Ceredigion Council's Cabinet agreed on 7 November 2023 to carry out a Feasibility Study to give detailed consideration to Option 2 and Option 4 in the 'Review of Post-16 Provision in Ceredigion' and further consider the advantages and disadvantages of Option 2 and Option 4 in context to the six principles. Mr John Hayes (present at the meeting) was commissioned to investigate these two options and submit a report to Scrutiny in the Autumn term 2024. Mr Hayes provided Members with an overview of the Feasibility Study and his findings and detailed consideration to option 2 and 4 below. He stated that as Members were aware there were six schools within Ceredigion offering 6th form education: Aberteifi, Bro Teifi, Aberaeron, Bro Pedr, Penweddig and Penglais. The two options agreed to be investigated were: Option 2: Develop the Current Situation This option would build on the current situation in Ceredigion. In the first place, post-16 provision would continue on the 6 existing sites. The 6 current Governing Boards would continue with their current roles in terms of governance up to 16 but agree with the Local Authority to form a Strategic Board which would manage the Authority's post-16 budget, ensure suitable arrangements for joint planning the curriculum and then commissioning the provision from the schools, e-sgol and other partners. The Strategic Board would be supported by an Executive Board in order to implement the curricular proposals. The Strategic Board would be responsible for monitoring the quality of the provision and making recommendations to the Local Authority and the providers for improvement. Over time, these recommendations could include adjusting the number of sites and what is provided at each site. All providers would be represented on both boards, with representation from the Local Authority and an appropriate place for the voice of the learner and parents. Option 4: One Centre This option would offer a more far-reaching change. It would mean closing the current post-16 provision and establishing a Centre of Excellence, involving a range of partners, at one or more suitable geographical sites. A Governing Body that is independent of the schools would be responsible for the funding and the curriculum and would appoint a small number of core staff to steer and manage the work. When looking into both options it was very important to consider – • which option would ensure the best educational provision and experiences for Ceredigion learners; • which option would ensure that learners have a wide choice of suitable courses that would enable them to follow various learning paths and give them the opportunity to reach their potential and aspirations; • which option would meet the needs and complex context of the LA and best respond to the factors that underpin the principles originally agreed. Rurality and rural deprivation, the future of the Welsh language, environmental issues, costs and funding and the voice of stakeholders were all important key factors that should be considered in the context of option 2 and option 4. The decision about the way forward calls for an integrated response that would be based on strong partnerships, fairness and equal opportunity, it would prioritise the needs and well-being of Ceredigion learners and prepare them for the dynamic and changing economy of the future. Following question from the floor, it was AGREED to • Note the content of the Feasibility Report • Agree in principle to start the process of adopting Option 2 for September 2026, subject to: (i) to the committee being provided with a draft Terms of Reference for the Strategic Board and Executive Board; and (ii) to present the costings of proposal 2 to compare with the current post-16 provision costs within each of the six schools · Approve the proposal to carry out further investigation into Option 4, subject to officer capacity, in order to give more detailed consideration to establishing a Centre of Excellence (on one or more suitable sites)

It was agreed to note the current Forward Work Programme subject to: - (i)noting that a special meeting had been arranged in February to consider the Restructuring Schools – consultation responses, (ii) Oversight of in year financial matters (Qu 2) would be considered in the November meeting; and (iii) that advice would be sought from the Monitoring Officer if it was possible to visit the schools which were currently subject to the restructuring consultation; to view the concerns raised in the consultation reports on the condition of the school buildings etc.

It was AGREED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous meeting of the committee subject (i)to noting that Councillor Chris James was chairing the meeting and not Endaf Edwards, and (ii) that Councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans was also present at the meeting. Matters Arising None.