ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group2020/01/27 · ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group Date 27 January 2020 Time...

ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group Date 27 January 2020

Time 10.30 am – 2.00 pm Venue: Powys County Hall, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. LD1 5LG

Agenda

Time Item

10.30am 1 Arrival and welcome to Powys Welcome to Powys and introduction to meeting

2 Apologies for Absence

3 Declarations of Interest

4 Letters, notes and other issues arising from the ERW Councillor Group a) Response Letter from ERW Joint Committee Chair 23 Sep b) ERW Councillor Group letter to the ERW Joint Committee 23 Sep c) Notes from the meeting on 23 Sep

10.40am 5

a) Chair of the ERW Joint Committee Invited to discuss progress with the ERW Reform Programme and ERW moving forward

b) ERW Managing Director Update Report

New Curriculum (standing item) including progress with training for Teachers and Governors

Costed Business Plan

11.45am 6 ERW Lead for Secondary Curriculum and Examinations

12.30pm Lunch and networking

1.00pm 7 ERW Lead for Research and HEI Partnerships

1.45pm 8 a) Common Agreement/protocol b) Discuss points for the letter to Chair of ERW Joint Committee

arising from this meeting and agree items for next ERW Councillor Group meeting (see work programme)

2.00pm Close

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Ein Rhanbarth ar Waith Education through Reg1onal Work.ir wwwerwcymru www erw wales

ERW, Y Llwyfan,

College Road, Carmarthen, SA31 3EQ.

8 January, 2020

Councillor Dr.Endaf Edwards, Chair ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group via email: [email protected] &

[email protected]. uk

Dear Councillor Dr.Endaf Edwards,

Happy New Year and thank you for your letter dated 22nd of October, 2019. My apologies for the delay with a response. Unfortunately, our ERW Joint-Committee meeting was postponed to the 9th of December, 2019 where we had the opportunity to present and discuss your letter.

The Joint-Committee very much welcomes the Group's comments and support with regard to the improvements we have made across a range of key areas of activity. As you are aware, our staffing structure has been enhanced and we continue to develop this model to ensure compliance with our projected funding model for 2020-21. This work includes extending some specific seconded posts whilst others have been drawn to a close in line with their agreed and original timescales of 3P1 of December, 2019. I am aware that the Interim Managing Director will be providing a more detailed overview of staffing within his 'Update Report' during the meeting on the 27th of January, 2020.

The Autumn Term, 2019 witnessed much activity and engagement with schools and school leaders. This undoubtedly supported greater levels of communication and understanding with regard to ERW's role and contributions to school improvement in general. I'm aware that the decision to provide schools with specific funding to support attendance at the Curriculum Engagement Events worked very well. The fourteen sessions undertaken across the region attracted over six hundred school leaders and practitioners. They provided the opportunity for much open discussion, an enhanced understanding of approaches in support of implementing the revised curriculum and reassurance that schools do not need to rush this crucial process. Our Curriculum Team is now working further on additional support events which will be undertaken throughout the Spring Term, 2020 to provide further guidance and support. The Interim MD and Assistant MD also undertook a series of 'Roadshows' within each local authority. These provided each local authority with the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the revised ERW Team structure and its work. In addition and thanks to Sally Llewellyn, our Lead for Research and HEi Partnerships, the sessions also emphasised the model of schools working as 'Learning Organisations.' I'm very pleased to say that each of the seven Roadshows included

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Agenda Item 4

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a local Head teacher presentation as part of this work, further underpinning the effective and productive collaboration between ERW, local authorities and school leaders. I'm aware that Sally will be presenting to the Councillor Scrutiny Group during the forthcoming meeting and am certain that this will be a valuable and encouraging discussion for us all.

I'm aware that there is a clear intention and commitment to continue with this style of integrated working and will ensure invitations remain in place for the attendance of school governors within these presentations.

The revised ERW Governance Structure is currently deferred. However, we welcome further consideration of a scheme of delegation in support of its content and the inclusion of business community expertise within our future arrangements. I will continue to update you on these aspects as matters evolve. I am very pleased to share news that the implementation of our ERW Strategy Groups (3:2:1 Groups) has worked very well. Albeit early days, the inaugural sessions held in November witnessed excellent attendance and support from school leaders, local authorities and the ERW Central Team. This work will continue to contribute very well to our future Business Planning and effective use of funding and resources in a collegiate and agreed manner. Your reference to supporting the school workforce with regard to the necessary skills, infrastructure and connectivity for digital learning falls firmly within this remit. I am therefore confident that the ERW Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Learning Strategy Group will continue to take these key elements forward as shared with you during Greg Morgan's (ERW Lead for Digital Learning and Systems) presentation when you met on the 23rd September, 2019.

Thank you again for your letter and I look forward to meeting with you and all Group members on the 27th January, 2020 in Llandrindod Wells.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn Chair of ERW Joint Committee

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To: Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn Chair of the ERW Joint Committee

Please ask for:

Scrutiny

Scrutiny Office Line:

01792 637256

e-mail

[email protected]

Date

22 October 2019

Dear Councillor ap Gwynn ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group – 23 September 2019 The Scrutiny Councillor Group would like to thank Kate Evan-Hughes, Andi Morgan, Yan James, Cressy Morgan and Greg Morgan for attending the meeting, for presenting the information we requested and answering our questions. I am writing to you to reflect the views from that meeting. We were pleased to hear that ERW have been successful in recruiting into a range of key posts and that they are confident that all these appointments have met expectations. We were told that communication links have improved and there is now a clear flow of information out to schools. We were also pleased to hear that all six Local Authorities are now working together to drive improvement. We were informed that the Governance Structure is currently out for agreement with local authorities across the region and will be submitted to the next ERW Joint Committee. Also that the scheme of delegation is evolving. We would like to see these once they are available. We heard that the governance arrangements will include aspects like monthly managers meetings, Strategic 3-2-1 groups, Headteacher’s group/s, Scrutiny and the Advisory Board. The issue was raised of how ERW might include representatives from the local business community in these arrangements. We were keen that this be considered because we must ensure that the skills we are equipping our pupils with should make the best of the employment opportunities that are evident across the region. For example, the opportunities that will arise from the City Deal and Growth Deal. We understand that experts can be appointed to the Advisory Board by the ERW Joint Committee and we would be keen to see this considered. We were pleased to hear that the new model will afford a much higher degree of transparency in the processes of ERW as well as transparency of financial matters.

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We looked at progress with the New Curriculum for Wales, hearing that six development sessions had taken place in conjunction with Welsh Government, but these did not have the turnout that was hoped. As a result ERW plan to do more sessions based across the different local authority areas and to link them much more closely with schools, to encourage and improve attendance. We were encouraged to hear that some monies have been made available for schools to help them to release staff to be able to attend the sessions. We were also keen for Governors to be able to access these and were pleased to hear that they are able to attend any if the session being arranged. We felt that Governors may need to be made aware of this. We were pleased to hear about the progress made across the region with the New Curriculum but did feel that we must move quickly on this. We felt it is vital to ensure all schools are prepared and ready with a culture of learning developed. We received an informative presentation on Digital Learning and Systems by the ERW Lead. We were interested to hear about this very current issue and welcomed the good work that is happening in this area. We do have some concerns and feel that these must be addressed for this aspect of the New Curriculum to be successful. These concerns include:

1. Ensuring we have a workforce that can meet these requirements and that adequate training and development is available for those staff to meet and understand the needs of this strand of the new curriculum.

2. Ensuring that we have the right infrastructure which is reliable and that we have the appropriate ICT support to maintain these systems. This also included the issue of lack of broadband connectivity in parts of the region.

We also had a useful session with the ERW Lead for Health and Wellbeing. She outlined the national context including how it fits with, for example, the Well-being and Future Generations Act, the National Mission and the Curriculum for Wales. Hearing that it will be one of the key strands of the New Curriculum and will run through all the other strands, which we welcomed. We also welcomed the work taking place to build relationships with a wide variety of organisations across Wales that will help to deliver this aspect of the curriculum. We understand work is taking place with Teacher Training colleagues to help to incorporate this aspect of the new curriculum more fully within initial teacher training courses. We recognise that it is a significant shift for them but agreed with the ERW Lead that it is about winning hearts and minds and teacher training will be key to this. We welcome your thoughts on any of the issues raised in our letter but would ask for a written response to the following points:

1. We recommend that you investigate the possibility of including an expert from the business community on the ERW Advisory Board.

2. We would recommend that a scheme of delegation is written that supports the new governance structure.

3. We recommend that ERW ensure Governors are made aware that they are able to attend the planned sessions on the Curriculum for Wales.

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ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group Scrutiny Support provided by Swansea Council Contact: Scrutiny Team, Gloucester Room, Guildhall, Swansea SA1 4PE 01792 637256 [email protected]

4. ERW must work with local authorities to ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills, infrastructure, connectivity and support to enable digital learning across the region.

Yours sincerely, Cllr Endaf Edwards Chair ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group [email protected]

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ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group Notes – 23 September 2019

In attendance: Cllr Endaf Edwards, Ceredigion (Chair) Cllr Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cllr John Davies, Pembrokeshire Cllr Paul Rapi, Pembrokeshire Cllr Lyndon Jones, Swansea Cllr Rhidian Mizen, Neath Port Talbot Cllr Edward Thomas, Carmarthenshire Angela Davies, Powys Cllr Sandra Davies, Powys Lynne Richards (Scrutiny Officer, Pembrokeshire) Elizabeth Patterson (Scrutiny Officer, Powys) Charlotte Davies (Scrutiny Officer, Neath Port Talbot) Michelle Roberts (Scrutiny Officer, Swansea) Lisa Evans (Scrutiny Officer, Ceredigion) Llinos Jenkins (Scrutiny Officer, Carmarthenshire) Invited to attend: Kate Evan-Hughes, Director Pembrokeshire Council Andi Morgan, Interim Managing Director ERW Yani James, ERW Assistant Director Osian Evans, Executive Officer ERW Cressy Morgan, ERW Lead for Health and Wellbeing Greg Morgan, ERW Lead for Digital Learning and Systems Apologies: Cllr Cyril Anderson (Swansea) and Cllr Sonia Reynolds (Neath Port Talbot) and Cllr Darren Price, Carmarthenshire

Item

1. Declarations of Interest None

2. Notes of, Letter to and response from the Chair of the ERW Joint Committee arising from the ERW Councillor Group on 3 June 2019. Letters and notes accepted. Two questions arose from the letters. (1) Where are we with the appointment of the range of staff required? (2) Progress with the curriculum reform and roll out of training? The response and discussion arising has been included in section 3.

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3. Updates/progress The Scrutiny Councillor Group thanked Kate Evan-Hughes and Andi Morgan for attending the meeting answering questions. They outlined the progress and position in relation to the following issues: Progress with the ERW reform programme

ERW have been successful in recruiting into a range of posts and the Managing Director is confident that all the appointments have met expectations. The appointment of three officers to work in the Finance Team is currently being progressed.

The Cllr Group welcome the reassurances around progress with the reform programme but asked whether ERW is now of one voice, with all six Councils making a commitment to its future. They heard that all Councillors are attending meetings and participating fully but that the Neath Port Talbot letter is still on the table.

The Cllr Group heard that good consistent communication links are vital with a clear flow out to schools. Schools had said they better understand ERW and feel better about ERW and its role in improving schools.

Emerging Governance Structure and scheme of delegation

Changes to the previous arrangements are currently out for agreement with all six local authorities and this will be shared once agreement has been reached.

The Cllr Group heard that key to Governance structure and that are in place are:

o Managers meeting monthly o Strategic Groups (New) also known as 3-2-1 groups in place o ERW Senior Leadership Team draft strategy o Operations Group in place o Scrutiny by the Councillor Group o Advisory Board that includes the Higher Education Institutions o Headteacher groups meet regularly

The issue of including representative/s from the business community was raised. The Cllr Group were informed that experts can be appointed by the ERW Joint Committee to the Advisory Board to give advice and challenge to ERW, so they could be included under that aspect. The Cllr Group would like to see this considered and will include in their letter to the Chair of the ERW Joint Committee.

There will be delegated of funds to 3.2.1 Groups to give a degree of freedom for those groups to spend most appropriately.

There will be a higher degree of transparency under the new model.

The beginnings of the scheme of delegation has developed and this will now develop.

New Curriculum for Wales

During the summer term six development sessions were held on the new curriculum, in conjunction with Wales Government. Some sessions were quieter than they would have liked and would have liked a better response. Therefore, ERW plan to do more sessions but within each local authority area and make them more closely linked to local schools. The Group heard that more information about the success of these additional sessions will be brought to the Councillor Group meeting in January.

The Cllr Group said there is a need to move quickly with this. Vital to

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ensure all schools are prepared and are ready with a culture of learning.

The Managing Director agreed and said that monies are available to assist with this to fund the release of staff to attend development sessions.

The Cllr Group asked about development options for Governors and were informed that all the sessions are also open to Governors.

The Cabinet Minister has asked the Regional Consortia to provide information on how prepared schools are for the new curriculum. ERW is providing the development sessions but then targeting support to those schools that require it. Some schools are much further along than others. Will be important to use those good schools to drive and assist the improvement of others. Cllrs heard that ERW is in the right place currently and that other regions are at a similar point.

A new curriculum team is in place, a toolkit and resource support available and will form part of the development sessions. This will also be available on the website.

Cllr Group asked if there any areas of weakness to introducing the new curriculum like having enough teachers. They heard that there is concern nationally about having enough senior leaders for the welsh sector. ERW is working through those concerns in this region.

There is the aim for more school-to-school support and more work with the higher education sector to help to ensure suitable practitioners are available across the ERW region.

The Councillor Group were also informed the next three scheduled ERW Joint Committee meeting dates are: 18 October 2019, 14 February 2020 and 5 June 2020.

3. Costed Business Plan The Councillor Group thanked Osian Evans for his presentation of the costed business plan but requested that in future such complex documents be provided to in advance of the meeting by being circulated with the Agenda papers. The Cllr Group were assured that that will be the case for future meetings. Osian explained that the Business Plan has two levels and the first level has not changed from the Cllr Groups last meeting. It is the higher level plan. The Level 2 plan is a reflection of Level 1 but details how actions will be achieved. One grant is received from Welsh Government but this has a number of parts, so it is important to ensure they all line up in the costed business plan. The Councillor Group will look at this in more detail at their next meeting. It was also explained that an Action Plan has been produced that is kept on the ERW Intranet that is ‘live’ so can be kept constantly up to date and reviewed by Directors and the ERW Joint Committee.

4. ERW Lead for Digital Learning and Systems The Cllr Group thanked Greg Morgan for providing a presentation and answering their questions (also see Slides for fuller details). The following was discussed:

Definition of digital learning as “Digital competence is achieved through digital learning. Digital learning is any type of learning that is facilitated by technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of technology”.

That the cross-curricular responsibilities of literacy, numeracy and digital

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competence support almost all learning and are essential for learners to be able to participate successfully and confidently in the modern world. They need to be considered as part of school-level curriculum design across all areas of learning and experience

The Digital Framework is designed to help teachers incorporate skills into the curriculum that will help all our learners thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The Digital Framework has four strands: citizenship, Interacting and collaborating, producing, data and computational thinking.

There are some milestones that have been identified in developing the Digital Framework moving forward, namely

o September 2020 – Digital expectations should now be embedded in the new curriculum

o September 2022 – Settings and schools are delivering digital competence on a cross-curricular basis

The digital systems used by ERW were also highlighted and include: ERW HWB, ERW Intranet, Rhwyd, Support Log, Dolan and the ERW public Website.

The Councillor Group said it was interesting and very current but worried about capability of individuals in schools to provide this. Teachers need to have the capability and the access to the necessary resources. Is the infrastructure in place? Is the support sufficient to do this? Is the professional learning there because a lot of expertise is required? Do we have a workforce that can meet these requirements? Examination boards have the ability to support our teachers.

5. ERW Lead for Health and Wellbeing The Councillor Group thanked Cressy Morgan the ERW Lead for Health and Wellbeing (also see Slides for fuller detail).

She outlined the national context including how it fits with, for example, the Well-being and Future Generations Act, the National Mission and the Curriculum for Wales.

That definition of Wellbeing is less clear than with the other lead today and that there are many perceptions of what wellbeing means.

The Group heard that it will be one of the key strands of the New Curriculum but will also run through all the other strands, which the Councillor Group welcomed.

We also welcomed the work taking place to build relationships with a wide variety of organisations across Wales that will help to deliver this aspect of the curriculum.

The Councillor Group said they understand work is taking place with Teacher Training colleagues to help to build in this aspect of the new curriculum more fully within initial teacher training courses. The Group recognise that it is a massive shift, but agreed with the ERW Lead when she said that it is about winning hearts and minds and teacher. The Group felt that teacher training will be key.

5. Next Steps/Actions a) A letter will be written to the Chair of the ERW Joint Committee outlining

the Scrutiny Councillor Group’s views and recommendations from the meeting.

b) Work programme amended and relevant people invited to the next meeting based on the discussion had at the meeting.

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I. Chair of the ERW Joint Committee invited - to discuss progress with the ERW Reform programme and ERW moving forward (Annual)

II. Progress with:

New Curriculum reform (standing item) including progress with training for Teachers and Governors

Updated Costed Business Plan (hard copy to be circulated with agenda)

III. ERW Lead for (1) Secondary Curriculum and Examinations IV. ERW Lead for (2) Research and HEI Partnerships

c) Further information to be circulated to Scrutiny Councillor Group over coming weeks as requested at meeting on 23 Sep:

Governance structure and scheme of delegation

Current costed business plan

Timetable of session/events for New Curriculum development d) An Email link to the ERW Joint Committee Agenda be circulated prior to

each Joint Committee meeting. e) Arrangements made for the next meeting on the 27 January 2020

6. Next meeting The next meeting of the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group will take place on the 23 September 2019 (10.30am to 2.00pm) and will be hosted by Ceredigion Council.

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Item no. 5a EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ERW SCRUTINY COUNCILLOR GROUP DATE: 27 January 2020

TITLE OF REPORT

Annual meeting with the Chair of the ERW Joint

Committee

BRIEF SUMMARY OF REPORT

Questions and Answer session with the Chair of the ERW Joint Committee and the

Lead Chief Executive.

The Councillor Group have asked the Chair of the Joint Committee to cover the following issues:

What are the Joint Committees key priorities over the coming year?

What are the key decisions that will be made by the Joint Committee over the coming year?

Can you provide an update on progress with the Reform Programme and new governance structure?

Outline progress with promoting the new curriculum and with reducing teacher workload.

Attending to present this item will be:

Cllr Ellen Ap Gwynn, Chair of the ERW Joint Committee

Phil Roberts, ERW Lead Chief Executive

Report attached: No

Presentation at meeting: No – Q&A

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Agenda Item 5

1

ERW – Curriculum

Review and Reform Update

27.1.20

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2

Contents:

- Purpose of the report

- Section 1: ERW Team Structure

- Section 2: ERW Team Support Activities and Events

- Section 3: ERW Business Plan and future priorities

- Section 4: Appendices

Purpose of the Report:

To provide ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group members with an overview of ERW and

Curriculum review and reform progress to date.

Section 1: ERW Team Structure:

Our central ERW Team structure has been revised to ensure alignment with our budget

allocation. The small number of revisions implemented adhere in the main to the agreed and

original part-time secondment terms for the posts involved (Head of Professional Learning,

Head of Primary Sector and one part-time Head of Curriculum and Innovation). One

additional part-time post (Lead for Secondary School Support), will be subsumed into the

Head of Secondary Sector post as of 31.3.20. With constructive realignment of some

specific duties across the team, we will ensure an ongoing and effective service to our

schools into the future.

Since we met in September 2019, we have finalised all aspects of appointments to the

Finance Team and Business Support Team (please see Appendix 1 for full details).

We have continued to develop our ERW organisation with a strong emphasis on working as

‘One Team.’ This was celebrated with an end of term update and professional learning event

held on 18.12.19. The day witnessed extensive sharing of the work and experiences of all

teams. This has greatly enhanced our whole team awareness and appreciation of the

evolving nature of the curriculum, pedagogy and other key areas of our work within our

school communities.

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Section 2: ERW Team Support Activities and Events:

2.1 ERW Curriculum Engagement Events (Autumn Term, 2019):

Our initial series of ‘Curriculum Engagement Events’ were rolled out across the region during

the Autumn Term. Led by Anna Bolt, our Head of Curriculum Reform and Innovation, we

undertook fourteen individual sessions with the Team’s final presentation held in Llanelwedd

on 12.11.19. We took advantage of locations within each local authority to ensure a wide

and encompassing geographical spread in support of our schools and practitioners

(Narberth, Carmarthen, Swansea x2, Aberteifi, Dolfor and Llanelwedd). As a result, we

succeeded in achieving the attendance and contributions of over 600 practitioners.

Feedback was very positive with Head teachers, Challenge Advisers and LA officers

welcoming the opportunity to share information and views during the sessions (summary

below). We are now building further on this work with a follow-up programme planned for the

Spring Term (see Appendix 2 for full details). The Central ERW Team would like to note its

warmest thanks for all the support provided locally and in particular, the attendance and

contributions of LA officers.

Feedback overview (seven questions):

1. The event met its stated aims & objectives – 96% positive

2. Presentations were clear, and effective – 96% positive

3. Content was well-organised and easy to follow – 98% positive

4. Length and pace was suitable – 93% positive

5. Participation and interaction were encouraged – 98% positive

6. Materials and resources shared were helpful – 90. % positive

7. Material available bilingually – 93% positive

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2.2 ERW Roadshows (Autumn Term, 2019):

The Autumn Term, 2019 witnessed a series of ERW Roadshows undertaken across the six

local authorities. The content was wholly designed to provide our schools with an update and

overview of the recent ERW reform work. This included confirmation of the revised team’s

composition and its role within school improvement (as outlined in our 2019-20 Business

Plan). The series also provided a detailed overview of ‘Schools as Learning Organisations’

emphasising its value and relevance to current reform. Led by Sally Llewellyn, our Lead for

Research and HEI Partnerships, this key element served to reinforce and celebrate work

already implemented successfully by schools across our region. Each session benefited

greatly from a school led ‘cameo’ of the activities they have undertaken. We extend our very

warm thanks to the Head teachers of the following schools for their valuable input:

Wyn Evans, Head teacher, Ysgol Maesygwendraeth, Carmarthenshire

Mair Hughes, Head teacher, Ysgol Penglais, Ceredigion

Sue Hanley, Head teacher, Ysgol Dŵr Y Felin, Neath Port Talbot

David Haynes, Head teacher, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Pembrokeshire

Daniel Owen, Head teacher, Newtown High School, Powys

We are certain that this approach highlights the effective collaboration in place between

ERW, local authority officers and schools in support of our children and young people. We

will continue to engage with schools and senior leaders in this manner as curriculum reform

and practice and moves forward.

2.3 WG – Regional Head teacher Conferences (Autumn Term, 2019):

We worked in close partnership with WG to provide two Head teacher Conferences for our

region during the Autumn Term, 2019 (Cefn Lea, Dolfor on 14.11.19 and Liberty Stadium,

Swansea on 21.11.19). We are grateful to Welsh Government for supporting two events

which, due to our geography, assisted our Head teachers greatly. The programme* focused

on the national reform programme with a clear emphasis on developing ‘evaluation and

improvement’ arrangements. We are delighted to share that once again, our workshop

presentations were supported by high quality inputs from schools and Head teachers from

across the region. We look forward to collaborating further with WG on the forthcoming

series to be held towards the end of the Spring Term, 2020. *please see Appendix 2 for full

programme details

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2.4 Estyn Link Visit:

We warmly welcomed Mark Campion, HMI and Karen Newby Jones, HMI to Y Llwyfan on

11.11.19. We provided a broad range of discussion groups to assist Mark and Karen in

gaining a comprehensive view of how the revised team has settled in, progressed and

engaged with schools to date. We shared details of our revised team structure and content

of the current Business Plan. We also gained the opportunity to discuss and share some of

our key systems which provide information, evidence and resources e.g. the ERW Support

Log, revised plans for the ERW website etc.

2.5 Secondary Support Group (SSG):

Our ERW Secondary Support Group continues to provide bespoke support for identified

schools across the region. The Group’s activity is brokered in a detailed manner via

discussions between the school, ERW officers, senior LA officers, Senior Challenge Adviser

and any additional, appropriate officers. The focus of need and specific nature of support

provision is always tailored to the individual school context to ensure effective impact and

progress. We are currently working with some fifteen schools across the region through

supporting the key themes of:

- building leadership capacity

- teaching and learning

- schools as learning organisations

2.6 Key Stage 4 Subject Specialists:

Our team of Key Stage 4 Subject Specialists continues to support a wide range of varying

needs within some twenty-nine schools across our region. Their work provides a valuable

input of specialist expertise to support and progress individual elements of provision swiftly.

In addition, their integral involvement in our Secondary Subject Networks across the region

provides effective guidance and reinforcement of some key priorities for all our schools,

namely:

i) high expectations for all learners

ii) whole school responsibility and accountability for individual learner progress

and raised standards

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2.7 Communication and Engagement:

We have undertaken a range of communication and engagement activities with numerous

partners, including:

Meetings with Primary and Secondary HT associations

Officer attendance across a wide range of national networks to ensure the ERW

voice is heard and contributes to future provision and strategic planning for school

improvement, including

- WG groups: Coherence, Evaluation & Improvement, ‘Our National Mission’ Change

Board, Professional Learning, Organisation Development Board, Digital Learning and

Strategic Education Board

- Cross-regional Groups: We support ten additional sub-groups focussing on

effective cross-regional working

Attendance at a range of local authority and regional scrutiny meetings

WG Evaluation and Improvement Session with the Minister and Director of

Education, Welsh Government (21.11.19)

Ongoing support and collaboration with KS4 Subject Networks

Collaboration with WG and Consortia on the development of a ‘National Evaluation

and Improvement Resource.’ This pilot work focuses on aspects of Schools Causing

Concern and effective Self-evaluation.

Section 3: ERW Business Plan and future priorities:

A key area of discussion and action throughout the Autumn Term was implementation of

content of the current ERW Business Plan in an effective and beneficial manner for schools.

Throughout the term, we focused on delivery and ongoing monitoring of our progress. Team

members were responsible for ‘chunking out’ relevant tasks for delivery in a practical and

achievable manner. This work was designed to provide us with a termly overview of our

progress and facilitate a ‘Forward Work Programme in support of the agreed priorities. We

have commenced initial revision of the present plan in readiness for the 2020-21 financial

with a clear emphasis on planning for the longer term.

We would emphasise the partnership roles with our Senior Challenge Adviser Network and

ERW Strategy Groups within this process. The Spring Term, 2020 will witness sessions to

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pursue the evaluation and review of Business Plan outcomes. This activity will both identify

and inform our future priorities along with the collaborative planning process of a revised

ERW Business Plan for 2020 onwards.

The implementation of our ‘ERW Strategy Groups’ is supporting all elements of Business

Plan delivery, monitoring, review and evaluation. We have six groups undertaking a central

role in implementing our strategic direction. Delegated spending powers exist for each group

in line with our regional finance arrangements. Strategy Groups have been established for

the following key areas:

• Welsh

• Professional Learning and Research

• Leadership

• Curriculum

• Health and Wellbeing

• Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Learning

To facilitate and ensure cross-region participation, engagement and our ability to benefit

broader skills and expertise, all Strategy Groups include a representative from each Local

Authority.

ERW Strategy Group composition:

• 1 x ERW Lead Officer

• 1 x Local Authority Director

• 2 x Local Authority Officers

• 3 x Head teacher / Outstanding Practitioner

ERW Business Plan future priorities:

- Implement the revised ‘ERW Governance Structure’

- Collaborate further with Estyn on the region’s reform programme

- Further support schools with curriculum reform and revised ‘evaluation and

improvement’ ‘ arrangements as part of embedding ‘Our National Mission’

- Revise content of the ERW Business Plan for the 2020-21 financial year and longer

term

- Continue to develop communication systems further

- Further strengthen support for schools through Cluster models

Page 18

8

Section 4: Appendices:

Appendix 1: ERW Central Team Structure and staff list

Page 19

9

ERW staff list:

Swydd / Post Enw / Name

Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Dros Dro / Interim

Managing Director

Andi Morgan [email protected]

Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr Cynorthwyol / Assistant

Managing Director

Yan James [email protected]

Pennaeth y Sector Uwchradd / Head of

Secondary Sector

Tracy Senchal [email protected]

Pennaeth Diwygio’r Cwricwlwm ac Arloesedd /

Head of Curriculum Reform & Innovation

Anna Bolt

[email protected]

Pennaeth Ysgolion Arbennig ac Addysg mewn

Lleoliadau Amgen / Head of Special Schools

and Education in Alternative Settings

Sue Painter [email protected]

Arweinydd Arweinyddiaeth / Lead for

Leadership

Tom Fanning [email protected]

Arweinydd Cymorth Uwchradd / Lead for

Secondary Support

Ian Thompson [email protected]

Arweinydd Dysgu Digidol a Systemau / Lead

for Digital Learning and Systems

Greg Morgan [email protected]

Arweinydd Iechyd a Llesiant / Lead for Health

and Wellbeing

Cressy Morgan [email protected]

Arweinydd y Cwricwlwm Uwchradd ac

Arholiadau / Lead for Secondary Curriculum

and Examinations

Ian Altman [email protected]

Arweinydd y Gymraeg mewn Addysg / Lead

for Welsh in Education

Gwennan Schiavone*

*Gwennan Hughes (secondment)

*Catrin Phillips (secondment)

Arbenigwr Pwnc Uwchradd / Secondary

Subject Specialist

Ian Altman

[email protected]

Barbara George / David Bradley – Science

Julie Hart / Helen Davies – Maths

Emma Wright / Jane Shilling / Anthony Jones

– English

Tina Thomas / Lowri Davies – Welsh

Julian Nicholls – Humanities

Diane Evans – Post 16 & Welsh Bacc (11)

Page 20












10

Arweinydd Datblygu MDPh / AoLE

Development Lead

Anna Bolt

[email protected]

Adrian Smith, Mari Bowen, Anna Vivian-

Jones, Rob Walters, Debbie Moon, Sophie

Flood, Huw Griffiths, Stephen Williams,

Jenna Gravelle, Stuart Jacob, Katherine

Andrews, Tom Basher (12)

Cydlynydd y Cymraeg Rhanbarthol / Regional

Coordinator for Welsh

Rhodri Sion [email protected]

Cydlynydd Dysgu Proffesiynol Rhanbarthol /

Regional Coordinator for Professional

Learning

Sarah Perdue [email protected]

Cydlynydd Dysgu Proffesiynol CA / TA

Professional Learning Coordinator

Heulwen Lloyd [email protected]

Cydlynydd Dysgu Digidol a Systemau / Digital

Learning and Systems Coordinator

Alun Parry [email protected]

Cydlynydd GDD Rhanbarthol / Regional

Coordinator for PDG

Dylan Williams [email protected]

Rheolwr AD / HR Manager Helen Lewis [email protected]

Rheolwr Cymorth Busnes / Business Support

Manager

Ruth Lee [email protected]

Swyddog Cymorth Busnes / Business Support

Officer

Hazel Faulkner [email protected]


Officer

Meinir Davies [email protected]


Officer

Emily Partridge [email protected]


Officer

Rhian Lloyd [email protected]

Swyddog Polisi, Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu /

Policy, Information & Communications Officer

Osian Evans [email protected]

Prif Gyfrifydd / Principal Accountant Natalie Chambers

[email protected]

Prif Gyfrifydd / Senior Accountant Naomi Vaughan [email protected]

Technegydd Cyfrifeg / Accounting Technician Sian Morris [email protected]

Page 21

















11

Appendix 2: Curriculum Engagement Events (Spring Term, 2020)

Dyddiad / Date

Lleoliad / Venue

Bore / Morning

Prynhawn / Afternoon

Ionawr / January 28th

Caer Elen, Hwlffordd / Haverfordwest

10-12

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digwyddiad-diweddarur-cwricwlwmcurriculum-update-event-tickets-73262581353

1.30-3.30



Neuadd y Gwendraeth / Gwendraeth Hall, Drefach

10-12


1.30-3.30



Gwesty Village Hotel,

Abertawe / Swansea

10-12


1.30-3.30


Ionawr / January 31st

Gwesty Village Hotel, Abertawe / Swansea /

10-12


1.30-3.30


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12

Chwefror / February 11th

i’w cadarnhau / tbc, Ceredigion

10-12


1.30-3.30



Canolfan Cefn Lea Centre,

Drenewydd / Newtown

10-12


1.30-3.30



Hafod a Hendre, RWAS,

Llanelwedd / Builth Wells

10–12


1.30–3.30


Page 23



















13

Appendix 2: WG and Regional Head teacher Conference Programme

Page 24

1 ERW Business Plan 2019-20

1.

ERW Business Plan

2019-2020

Page 25


Business Plans

Improvement Priorities

ERW has five improvement priorities that match the enabling objectives of The National

Mission:

Developing and delivering a transformational curriculum

To develop a high-quality education profession

To develop inspirational leaders and to facilitate them working collaboratively to

raise standards.

To develop strong and inclusive schools that are committed to excellence and

wellbeing.

To develop robust assessment, evaluation and accountability processes that

support a self-improving system

“Our national mission is to raise standards, reduce the

attainment gap and deliver an education system that is a

source of national pride and confidence.”

Kirsty Williams, Cabinet Secretary for Education

The region’s Business Plan is effectively structured to deliver the priorities and to address

the challenges as set out in ‘Education in Wales: Our national mission’ 2017

The region is:

clear about key roles of leaders as effective planning and providers of intelligence

into the system to enable all our schools to play their part in improving learner

outcomes and well-being

knowledgeable about educational inequities within and between

partnerships/alliances and able to address them by moving knowledge and

expertise; the region is key to facilitating cross-sectoral and multi-agency

collaboration to support those in greatest need

working collaboratively to mobilise expertise and minimise duplication of effort and

cost. ERW will continue to operate at a regional scale to build capacity and enable

services to target resources and activity effectively towards schools working together

well led by education professionals who have the intellectual, practical and shared

understanding of education leadership within our system – leaders are driven by the

curriculum’s four purposes, provide good-quality vision and build strong evolving

partnerships

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Plan Priorities

1. Developing and delivering a curriculum for Wales The region will work with the education system to

support the development of the new curriculum and associated assessment arrangements that will

help raise standards for all pupils in the region. The region will ensure that high quality professional

learning will enable schools to plan for the new curriculum and all associated assessment

arrangements.

2. Developing a high quality education profession that has a positive impact on learners’ progress and

standards The region will support our teachers to be lifelong professional learners that reflect on and

enhance their own practice to motivate and inspire the children and young people in their care. The

region will support schools to develop pedagogy and practice in order to effectively prepare for ‘A

curriculum for Wales, a curriculum for life.’ The region will support, challenge & intervene in schools

by implementing a rigorous and consistent approach to ensure that all schools have a clear

understanding of what constitutes consistently high quality teaching and learning for all learners. The

region will ensure that assessment information is used diagnostically to influence teaching, learning

and learner progress and secure robust reliability procedures for end of key stage assessments

3. Ensure Inspirational leadership has a positive impact on provision and standards The region will

prioritise developing system leadership as a prime driver of education development across our

schools. Promoting and supporting effective, collaborative leadership will therefore be central to our

delivery. The region will develop effective school leadership and increase capacity across the region

by developing universal and targeted support, challenge and intervention for current and aspiring

school leaders at all levels. The region will develop and implement a comprehensive programme of

professional learning in order to promote high expectations and develop knowledge, skills, personal

qualities, values and professional characteristics that will enable leaders to offer consistently high

quality education in all schools

4. Develop strong and inclusive schools committed to excellence, equity and well-being All learners

must be supported to be emotionally and physically ready to learn in a safe and supportive

environment. Each learner must be respected and challenged to achieve the best that they are

capable of, including our most able learners, while being supported to overcome barriers that inhibit

their learning. The region is committed to delivering a fair and fully inclusive education system

ensuring where schools across the region are equipped to support all learners in a manner which

minimises obstacles and maximises the opportunities for reaching their full potential. The region will

continue to develop the workforce so that schools can receive the necessary levels of support and

challenge around inclusive practice.

5. Develop robust assessment, evaluation and accountability arrangements supporting a self-

improving system Through the use of evidence-based approaches and co-construction, we will

deliver a coherent assessment and evaluation framework that will ensure effective accountabilities so

that schools, LAs and the region play a full part in delivering the best for our learners and their

teachers. We will encourage and acknowledge schools that are collaborative and supportive of each

other and will ensure that smaller and rural schools are better supported to play their full part in a

collaborative self-improving school system.

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The tables on pages 17 – 33 outline responsibilities that have been agreed between the region and the constituent Local Authorities. These

delegated responsibilities are interdependent and are carefully aligned in order to reduce duplication of resource and provision.

1. A Curriculum for Wales

Statement of intent Regional Sub-region Hub, shared or individual Local Authority delivery

Schools

(a) All schools will be fully engaged in the

development of a Curriculum for Wales.

Work collaboratively with Welsh Government (WG) and the other regions to inform and monitor developments through programme board and regional monitoring group. Agree a regional timeline so that all schools can have milestones to work to, in order to ensure termly progress and seamless transition into 2022. Provide a ‘national’ curriculum preparedness tool. Establish regional AoLE collaborative groups to provide mutual support and identification of best practice. Regional groups for each AoLE will monitor support requirements for schools and ensure schools are

The local authority will provide the time and space through headteacher meetings to provide workshops related to the new curriculum. Also consideration to common / local curriculum content. The local authority will provide facilitation services so that schools are getting up to date information from AoLE Leads and will provide support to embed the learning into the curriculum. Local Authorities will collate the information for the readiness tool. AoLE leads will:

Provide direct interface with local authorities to support and develop local knowledge.

Support schools in understanding of

Schools will work collaboratively through their professional networks and families of schools to develop their understanding of all aspects of the new curriculum. (see last page) Schools will provide opportunities for all staff to engage in the development of key milestones for the new curriculum. Schools will share their learning with each other through local authority headteacher meetings. Schools will set and develop their own AO in line with their local curriculum and identified priorities. Schools and clusters need to consider content and commonality.

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moving towards preparedness for 2022 implementation. Regional AOLE Leads will ensure that links between Pioneer Schools and the wider education community are strong.

progression steps and achievement outcomes.

Support schools to develop their own AOs to support pupil progression

Challenge advisers will:

Map out support required by schools across the Local Authority in order to engage in the development of the new curriculum.

Provide support to schools to develop cluster plans that mirror the timelines from the “National Mission.”

Subject advisers will:

Engage with the regional AoLE specialists to secure consistency and accuracy of messages and support for new curriculum.

Provide subject specific support and guidance support working directly with schools.

Local Authority Networks/Groups will:

Meet to discuss and share practice related to the new curriculum

(b) Pioneer schools are effectively sharing their thinking and developments.

Ensure all pioneer schools engage effectively with their wider

Regional pioneer schools will work together to share their practice and

Page 29


networks to provide support and updates and share resources on curriculum development. Promote the exemplars completed by pioneer schools to ensure all schools engage with and learn from these. Utilise WG funding to secure the engagement of schools across the region.

work to date through full headteacher meetings and Family of Schools meetings. Other schools where effective practice is identified should also be sharing their current findings. Challenge Advisers will familiarise themselves with case studies in order to facilitate school engagement. Local Authorities will ensure pioneer schools across the region are known to all, and that evaluations of their work are available to all schools.

Engage with pioneer schools and their exemplars, to better understand curriculum reform and implementation

(c) All schools will be provided with up to

date development regarding curriculum

reform.

Provide AoLE Leads and Secondary

Curriculum Leads with regular up-

to-date information on curriculum

development, and monitor their

work to ensure effective delivery to

schools.

AoLE leads and pioneer schools will provide information through headteacher meetings. The local authority will facilitate the sharing of curriculum research developed by region and HEIs to improve practice and support curriculum innovation and reform. Challenge Advisers will evaluate schools’ engagement with research and the impact on provision and learning.

Clusters of schools work together to share information provided on curriculum development and to ensure that all staff are updated with the most recent developments. Schools will ensure their implementation is informed by curriculum research and impacts on positive classroom practice.

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(d) All schools and school improvement

staff will be familiar with regional and

national developments.

ERW will coordinate a comprehensive communication programme with Local Authority partners and school so that all stakeholders, including governors, are up to date with the development of Curriculum for Wales.

The local authority will contribute to, and share all information in a timely manner through its relevant communication networks. Local authorities, supported by the region, will provide comprehensive support for governors to understand curriculum reform and implementation.

Schools will engage with the sharing of local and regional developments / communication. Governing bodies will engage with all opportunities to improve their knowledge of curriculum reform and implementation.

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2. Developing a high quality education profession.


Schools

(a) Professional Standards

Ensure that all leaders, teachers and support

staff in the region are able to use the

professional standards to help improve

practice.

ERW will provide professional

learning (PL) and support all staff

and leaders to engage effectively

with the standards and use the

outcomes of this engagement to

inform effective PL.

Challenge Advisers will promote and monitor schools’ use of the PTS and the impact on developing a high quality profession.

Schools will use and share the PTS with all staff in order to improve practice. Schools will ensure that PTS are utilised effectively and that they impact on practice and pupils’ learning experiences. Schools will identify their PL requirements, including the provision of mentors for school based staff.

(b) Professional Learning

Coordinate a PL offer across the region,

which ensures that all professionals are able

to engage in order to enhance their skills,

improve their teaching, knowledge and

career progression.

Develop coherent and structured

PL offer aligned with the national

PL model to support the

implementation of A Curriculum

for Wales (as above)

The regional Lead will work with Local Authorities and other regions to ensure a consistent national high quality induction offer. Collaborate with HEI and ITE partnerships to ensure all staff

Local Authorities will collate PL requirements for all schools and share this knowledge regionally. Local Authorities will identify an Appropriate Body Officer (AB) to coordinate External Verifier (EV) and Internal Mentor training. AB will ensure that the appropriate standards have been met for the NQT to pass induction.

Staff will identify their PL requirements and engage with PL to improve their knowledge/practice and preparedness for curriculum implementation. Schools will identify an Internal Mentor (IM) to support teachers entering the profession. Schools will provide high quality mentoring support through induction.

Page 32


enter the profession well prepared and supported. Work with other regions and WG to develop alternative routes into teaching and develop part-time ITE. Coordinate approaches to ensure that all schools can grow as Learning Organisations Coordinate PL and accreditation for Higher Level Teaching Assistants. Working with the Cross Regional TA Group provide an extensive portfolio of development opportunities for Teaching Assistants across the region. Covering all stages of the Teaching Assistant Learning Pathway. Develop and deliver toolkits for SLO self-evaluation and support key priorities through the PL offer.

Schools will collaborate within cluster through appointment of an External Verifier (EV) to verify induction profiles and provide training opportunities for teachers entering the profession. Schools will collate and map PL requirements for all staff to ensure that resources for PL are maximised and secure improvements. All school staff will the support the development of the SLO culture throughout their school.

(c) Cymraeg All schools are well equipped to deliver current and future curriculum to support improvement in the Welsh language.

Use data from regional audit to establish a baseline for the Welsh skills of the current teacher workforce. This data will be used to set targets for increase in the

Local Authorities to use the regional data and other data collated locally to set targets for increase in the number of staff able to teach through the medium of

Schools will identify the training needs of their staff, and identify key member of staff to participate in the Sabbatical Scheme and other programmes to develop the Welsh

Page 33


All schools prepare to become bilingual communities.

number of staff able to teach through the medium of Welsh, and also to identify training needs. Develop a PL programme to develop the Welsh language proficiency of staff at different levels across all sectors, in collaboration with Welsh Government and the other regional consortia. Programme to be delivered in collaboration with external partners and providers. Work with the Sabbatical Scheme providers in the region and collaborate on future provision, and develop a mentoring programme for those who have completed the Sabbatical Scheme. To facilitate the delivery of the Siarter Iaith across the region, and plan the strategic use of the Siarter Iaith grant in order to achieve Welsh Government’s aims and ensure all schools in region make continuous progress against the Siarter Iaith aims. Develop educational resources to support the teaching of Welsh as a

Welsh in line with their current and future WESPs Local Authorities to contribute to the work of developing a regional PL programme to ensure the programme addresses needs at a local level. Once developed, Local Authorities s to promote and facilitate the delivery of the programme at a local level, and contribute to the work of recruiting participants. Local Authorities s to work with schools within their authority to identify staff to participate in the Sabbatical Scheme and other future provision, and to collaborate with ERW in developing and delivering a mentoring programme for those who’ve previously completed the Sabbatical Scheme. Local Authorities to work regionally to identify Siarter Iaith priorities at a local level, and evaluate the delivery of the Siarter Iaith across the schools. Local Authority officers to support the work of creating school level plans for the Siarter Iaith, and to

language proficiency of staff and other members of staff in order to increase the level of teaching through the medium of Welsh, and increase the use of Welsh around the school both in formal and informal context. Schools to identify staff to participate in the PL programme, to provide feedback on training, and evaluate the impact of the training. Schools will identify staff to engage with the Sabbatical Scheme, and identify further ways for those staff to develop their Welsh once they have completed the Scheme. Schools to appoint a Welsh Co-ordinator, and create a development plan for the Siarter Iaith with an annual operational plan for the delivery of all aspects of the Siarter. Schools to attend and participate in local and regional training and events, and contribute to the evaluation of the Siarter i.e. by completing the Gwe Iaith annually,

Page 34


second language in response to needs identified by staff. Coordinate a regional offer to help improve the quality of pedagogy in Welsh language. To provide direct support to school in collaboration with LAs and to prove a regional training programme to address regional needs and / or update on national developments.

offer support to schools as needed to achieve their aims. Local Authority officers to identify needs and priorities in developing educational resources, and ensure the best use of the resources once developed. Challenge Advisers to identify areas of need, and discuss those needs with their local Welsh language advisory team, and with the ERW regional secondary support team in order to arrange suitable support for schools and departments as and when required. Local Authorities to support and facilitate a regional training programme.

and participate in further evaluation processes as required. School to collaborate to share good practice. Schools to identify and communicate their needs to Local Authorities and ERW officers. Schools to collaborate to create and trial new resources. Schools to participate in regional and local training programmes, and to facilitate targeted school to school work in order to share and develop good practice.

(d) Research and HEI partnership Ensure that all schools can make effective use of high quality research to inform practice and have opportunities to contribute to research where appropriate.

Co-ordinate opportunities to engage practitioners in the use of action-based research to improve provision and outcomes for learners. Ensure opportunities for university-school engagement to support an increased research engaged profession.

Challenge Advisers will encourage and evaluate schools’ engagement with research and the impact on provision and learning. Facilitate sharing of findings through local networks. Local authorities will facilitate school-to-school support at regional and sub-regional levels to use research findings to develop teaching practice.

Clusters of schools work together to share information provided on curriculum development. Schools will ensure their practice is well informed by research and research is aligned to their improvement priorities in the SDP.

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Ensure that regional PL is predicated on effective use of educational research

3. Inspirational leaders working collaboratively to raise standards.

Statement of Intent

Regional Sub-region Hub, shared or individual Local Authority delivery

Schools

(a) Professional Standards Ensure that leaders in the region are able to

use the professional standards to underpin

school improvement

The Region will provide PL and

support for all leaders to utilise the

Professional Standards in order to

develop and lead effective learning

organisations.

Challenge Advisers will monitor schools’ use of the PLS and how it has informed areas for development Local authorities will facilitate school-to-school support at regional and sub-regional to improve leadership capacity.

Schools will use and share the PLS with all staff in order to improve leadership capacity. Schools will ensure that PLS are utilised effectively and that they impact on practice and pupils’ learning experiences.

(b) Professional Learning To ensure a regional offer, in line with the

national pathway, to ensure effective

development for current and future leaders.

Collaborate effectively with all regions and the Leadership Academy (NAEL) to establish an accredited high quality PL offer for all leaders. Work with and across Local Authorities to identify and encourage the development of future leaders across the region. Provide an extensive portfolio of leadership development

Local Authorities will share the information provided through communication channels agreed with headteachers. Local authorities will identify suitable candidates to engage with leadership development at various stages of the leadership pathway. The Local Authorities lead for leadership will engage with the regional lead and cascade

In order to become better SLOs, Schools will identify and support leadership development for all staff. Schools will identify aspiring and potential leaders and provide effective opportunities for them to engage in regional PL.

Page 36


opportunities for the regional education community. To include: Middle Leader, Aspiring Senior Leader, Aspiring Headteacher, NPQH, New to Headship, Experienced Headteacher and Executive Headteacher. Provide school leaders with

opportunities to experience and

learn from a range of successful

settings across and beyond the

region.

Work with LAs to provide additional support for leaders and build capacity for schools in challenging circumstances. Work with Local Authorities to provide additional subject support for teachers and leaders.

information to schools and Local Authority officers.

(c) Curriculum for Wales Ensure that all leaders are planning effectively to prepare for the delivery of the new curriculum.

ERW will create opportunities for leaders to develop their understanding and implement the new curriculum in their schools.

Through effective monitoring, Challenge Advisers will ensure that school leaders are planning effectively for the new curriculum.

School leaders will plan effectively for the delivery of the new curriculum over a medium term period.

(d) Cymraeg

Ensure that all leaders are planning

ERW will ensure that all leadership development opportunities provide effective support for all leaders to

Local Authorities to facilitate and promote regional and local development opportunities, and

School development plans to include details of how they will deliver the aims of the Welsh in

Page 37


effectively to play their part in the delivery

of the Welsh in Education strategy and the

‘Cymraeg 2050: Welsh language strategy’.

develop and implement the new approaches to the teaching of Welsh and the Welsh dimension.

support schools to plan for, and deliver the aims of the Welsh in Education strategy and the ‘Cymraeg 2050: Welsh language strategy’.

education strategy and the ‘Cymraeg 2050: Welsh language strategy’.

(e) Research and HEI partnership Ensure that leaders make effective use of, and provide opportunity for high quality research to inform practice.

Increase opportunities for leaders to be included in university-school engagement to support an increased research engaged profession. Provide a regular bulletin that showcases current and relevant research.

The Local Authorities will ensure that research is shared effectively with schools and that the impact is monitored by Challenge Advisers. Local Authorities will ensure Challenge Advisers supporting school leadership are research and evidence informed, and will monitor the subsequent impact.

Leaders ensure that all staff have access to relevant research that is applicable to their contexts to improve their practice.

(f) ALN ALN transformation is understood by all school improvement staff

ERW will facilitate opportunities for Local Authority and regional staff to engage with PL around ALN reform Work collaboratively with Welsh Government (WG) and the other regions to inform and monitor developments through regional monitoring group. Implement the regional timeline, in order to ensure termly progress and seamless transition into 2020.

Local Authorities will ensure that

all staff engage with PL and are

well informed about ALN reform.

The local authority will provide the

time and space through

headteacher meetings to provide

workshops related to the new ALN

transformation.

The local authority will provide

facilitation services so that schools

are getting up to date information

from ALN Leads and will provide

support to embed Person centred

Schools engage with Local Authority offer to support ALN transformation. Schools will provide opportunities for all staff to engage in the development of key milestones for ALN transformation. Schools will share their learning with each other through local authority headteacher meetings. Governing bodies will engage with all opportunities to improve their

Page 38


Establish regional ALN collaborative groups to provide mutual support and identification of best practice. Regional groups for each ALN will monitor support requirements for schools and ensure schools are moving towards preparedness for 2020 implementation.

planning principles across the

curriculum.

Local Authorities will collate the

information for the ALN readiness

tool.

knowledge of ALN reform and implementation.

Page 39


4. Strong and inclusive schools that are committed to excellence, equity and well-being


Schools

(a) Professional Learning Ensure that all PL opportunities support the ambition for schools to be inclusive, equitable communities committed to improved wellbeing for all.

ERW will provide a range of PL opportunities which focus on developing a deeper understanding of the key elements which promote a sense of belonging and a positive state of well-being in school communities. This will help schools to develop and share a vision that is centred on the learning of all students.

Identify and disseminate good practice in relation to equity and well-being.

Schools will continue to develop inclusive strategies which support all learners to be emotionally and physically ready to learn in safe and supportive environments.

(b) Cymraeg

Ensure that every learner across ERW has

access to effective teaching to enable them

to become bilingual citizens.

ERW will, through the PL offer, ensure continuous improvement in the quality of teaching of Welsh and teaching through the medium of Welsh. ERW will ensure that it’s PL offer will be a bilingual one.

Local Authority officers will work with ERW to support schools to improve the quality of teaching of Welsh and teaching through the medium of Welsh.

Schools to identify areas for improvement and plan for future development accordingly. Schools to fully participate in regional and local training programmes. Schools will engage with their Local Authorities and the Region in order to understand their present and future responsibilities with regard to Welsh.

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(c) Supporting our most vulnerable leaners Maximise the impact of commissioned research of practice in relation to more vulnerable groups at school, Local Authority and regional level.

Support Local Authorities, schools and settings to use PDG effectively, consider barriers to learning and develop a more integrated approach and understanding of the impact of poverty and ACEs on attainment. Work with other Consortia and Welsh Government officers to gather and develop national good practice, guidance documents and opportunities for cross regional working. Utilise regional oversight and understanding to create opportunities for schools to learn from each other and see first-hand what works. Ensure that schools receive appropriate PL opportunities to fully engage with and enact the HWb AoLE

Ensure that each Local Authority has in place a lead, or leads, for vulnerable learners to enable close working with regional leads so that information and Local Authority specific understanding is developed, appreciated and strengthened. Identify and share information about schools that are progressing well on their improvement journey and those who require additional or further support. Support and enable opportunities to bring schools together to share effective practice, undertake training or work with each other on specific projects.

Engaged actively with others, work closely with regional and Local Authority leads to improve practice and consider best use available grants and funds. Welcome opportunities to continually review and improve, through school to school working, peer review and self-evaluation. Share effective practice, highlight what works well and provide support to those schools on the improvement journey. Develop the use of whole school approaches to wellbeing and opportunities to provide professional learning for the whole staff team.

(d) More able Learners All schools in ERW provide great teaching and excellent opportunities for all learners.

Develop a focus in all AoLE activity and secondary support around the needs of the more able. Engage with regional partners, schools, SEREN, WG and other stakeholders to develop strategy,

Local Authorities should engage with Seren and other networks. Challenge Advisers will support schools in ensuring that teaching meets the needs of all learners.

Schools will ensure teaching meets the needs of all learners.

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guidance and PL opportunities for teachers and support staff.

(e) ALN Support all schools to meet the needs of all pupils

Collaborate with regional lead for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) to implement, as appropriate, PL for school based practitioners Ensure that all PL opportunities will focus on the requirement to meet the needs of all learners, including the those with ALN in mainstream and special/alternative settings Develop a focus in all AoLE activity and secondary support around the needs of all pupils, with a clear focus on special/alternative settings.

Collaborate with regional lead for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) to implement, as appropriate, PL for school based practitioners Pending further discussion between Local Authority Directors.

Be ready and willing to learn from others, work closely with regional and Local Authority leads to improve practice and person centred practice. Secure opportunities to continually review and improve, through school to school working, peer review and self-evaluation. Share effective practice, highlight what works well and provide support to those schools on the improvement journey. Develop the use of whole school approaches to ALN and inclusion and opportunities to provide professional learning for the whole staff team.

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5. Robust assessment, evaluation and accountability arrangements supporting a self-improving system


Schools

(a) Assessment Ensure that all teachers use formative and summative assessment effectively to develop all their learners.

Ensure that PL equips all teachers

to use assessment to maximise the

learning of all pupils.

Ensure PL supports schools to

understand and pay due regard to

statutory guidance for assessment.

Challenge Advisers will pay due regard to statutory requirements and support schools in line with this guidance. Challenge Advisers will ensure schools engage with regional PL and monitor the impact of PL on improving assessment.

Schools will pay due regard to statutory guidance for assessment. Schools will maximise assessment opportunities to measure pupils’ progress and improve planning for learning.

(b) Whole school accountability system Whole school assessment is carried out to improve the quality of learning and promote effective accountability.

The region will work with WG to

develop effective whole school

accountability and ensure that the

Local Authority is well informed of

progress.

Local Authorities will ensure that all information regarding whole school accountability is shared with all staff and schools. Challenge Advisers will support schools to understand the necessary changes and implement them in accordance with the national mission.

Schools will implement changes to accountability in line with the national mission.

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(c) Self-evaluation and peer engagement Self-evaluation processes are honest, transparent and robust to help inform effective school improvement. All partners in the system become open to supporting others and receiving support from others

Support Local Authorities and schools to ensure that self-evaluation is aligned to school improvement and aimed at realising the four purposes. Create and promote a model of peer engagement and support to secure school improvement.

Communicate effectively with schools and provide consistent messages in relation to the national ‘Self-evaluation for school improvement model.’ Maximise opportunities for school to school engagement and support.

Refine self-evaluation activities so they are reflective, open and honest, whilst ensure that self-evaluation is aligned to school improvement. Develop a learning culture that promotes continuous improvement aimed at realising the four purposes and one that is aligned with the national ‘self-evaluation for school improvement model.’

(d) Effective use of school intelligence All intelligence is used for the benefit of learners and secure effective progress over time.

Use intelligence of school performance to ensure that evaluation leads to improved regional school improvement activity

Local Authorities will provide and make use of timely data and intelligence to inform local and regional school improvement activity Local Authorities will engage with the Regional Body, sharing local intelligence so that the Region may effectively meet the Local Authority’s needs.

Schools will effectively and openly triangulate all intelligence to identify and prioritise areas for improvement.

(e) Securing regional evaluation and improvement. All parts of the system become open to peer support , challenge and accountability as required.

Design and deliver regional evaluation and improvement models that will be reflective, open and honest and lead to improved accountability.

Local Authorities will engage in annual peer reviews, promoting honest and transparent self-evaluations.

Schools will develop peer review approaches in line with a regional approach to strengthen their school improvement.

Page 44


Providing a place for all parts of the system to contribute.

Local Authorities will collaborate effectively within a peer support system to drive improvement.

(f) Categorisation The quality assurance of school categorisation and support secures consistent and excellent provision across the region

Continue to contribute to the national design and delivery of the national school categorisation model. Provide effective PL for all schools based on national development.

Local Authorities will provide open, honest and timely information and evaluation to ensure categorisation is accurate and leads to effective school improvement.

Schools evaluate themselves effectively so that areas of strength and development are clearly understood by all staff.

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How will we deliver our Priorities on a regional level?

The following tables outline how priorities will be delivered at a regional level. This will ensure clarity and will provide a basis for rigorous

accountability and quality assurance.

Cynllunio Darpariaeth – Delivery Planning

A Curriculum for Wales Perchennog Plan Owner

Aelodau’r Tim: Team Members:

Cynllun Gweithredu 2019-20 Operational Plan 2019-20

Bwriad Intent

1. All schools will be fully engaged in the development of a Curriculum for Wales. 2. All pioneer schools are effectively sharing their thinking and developments. 3. All schools will be provided with up to date development regarding curriculum reform. 4. All schools and school improvement staff will be familiar with regional and national developments.

Gweithredu Action

Sut fyddwn ni’n cyflawni hyn? How will we achieve this?

Swyddog Cyfrifol

Responsible Officer

Cyfnod Timescale

Cyllid Budget

1.

Work collaboratively with Welsh Government (WG) and the other regions to inform and monitor developments through programme board and regional monitoring group.

The regional lead will collaborate with the other regions and WG to ensure risks to programme delivery are mitigated and curriculum roll out is in line with the National Mission and agreed milestones

The regional lead will feedback key information from ODB to all key staff in the region and LAs

Curriculum and Innovation Lead

April 2019 – April 2020 £105.583

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The regional lead will monitor and evaluate regional delivery to ensure this supports the National Mission and national milestones

2.

Agree a regional timeline so that all schools can have milestones to work to, in order to ensure termly progress and seamless transition into 2022

Creation of a dynamic regional timeline on the ERW website. This resource will mirror the national rollout program and timeline for the delivery and implementation of the new curriculum

The timeline will include recommended milestones for schools and links to resources that are being developed in a number of projects within ERW and cross regionally

ERW will support the rollout of the new national curriculum through communications and events across the region throughout the timeline

Curriculum and Innovation Lead Curriculum Strategy Group

Sept 2019 and ongoing as an updatable dynamic resource

£407,455

3. Provide a ‘national’ curriculum preparedness tool.

Creation of an electronic new national curriculum preparedness tool as a framework divided into termly sections to assist schools

The termly sections contain advice and links to resources and when combined provide a possible implementation plan for the new curriculum

The plan is used to create the structure for the delivery of the new curriculum consequently it can be applied in part or whole across any phase school

Resources to support this plan will be on a Hwb playlist enabling practitioners to download them in addition to being able to update and add to the resources as required


Pilot tool available April 2019 with final version available to all schools Sept 2019 The tool is a dynamic resource and is expected to have planned updates as required

£105,583

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4.

Establish regional AoLE collaborative groups to provide mutual support and identification of best practice.

The regional lead will establish working groups in collaboration with LA and regional staff to ensure all school are consistently supported towards curriculum reform

The regional lead will agree terms of conditions with LA staff and ensure the group support curriculum reform and sharing of important developments / information

Curriculum and Innovation Lead Curriculum Strategy Group Digital Strategy Group Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group

April 2019 – April 2020 £431,205

5.

Regional groups for each AoLE will monitor support requirements for schools and ensure schools are moving towards preparedness for 2022 implementation.

The regional lead will ensure that all group members identify support requirements for their schools and broker effective support preparedness

Pioneer schools will be used to provide support to targeted schools to support curriculum reform

Pioneer schools will provide PL opportunities for all schools to support preparedness for curriculum reform


April 2019 – April 2020 £468,601

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Developing a high quality education profession. Perchennog Plan Owner



Bwriad Intent

1. Professional Standards - Ensure that all leaders, teachers and support staff in the region are able to use the professional standards to help improve practice.

2. Professional Learning - Coordinate a PL offer across the region, that ensures that all professionals are able to engage in order to enhance their skills, improve their teaching, knowledge and career progression.

3. Cymraeg - All schools are well equipped to deliver current and future curriculum to support improvement in the Welsh language. All schools prepare to become bilingual communities.

4. Research and HEI partnership - Ensure that all schools can make effective use of high quality research to inform practice and have opportunities to contribute to research where appropriate.

Gweithredu Action


Swyddog Cyfrifol

Responsible Officer

Cyfnod Timescale

Cyllid Budget

1.

ERW will provide professional learning (PL) and support all staff and leaders to engage effectively with the standards and use the outcomes of this engagement to inform effective PL.

The regional lead will ensure support packages for engagement with standards are developed and shared with LAs and schools

The regional lead will broker support for engaging with the standards to targeted schools identified by CAs

The working groups will support the development of PL to engage with standards and will ensure subject specific support is aligned

PL and Leadership Lead PL and Research Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £337,134

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2.

Develop coherent and structured PL offer aligned with the national PL model to support the implementation of A Curriculum for Wales (as above)

The regional lead will work with the other regions and WG to develop a national offer for PL

The regional lead will collaborate with LA and regional staff to ensure regional delivery of the national PL programme is fit for purpose and effective

The regional lead will ensure the working groups develop strong PL programmes and that schools have good access to these

Curriculum and Innovation Lead PL and Research Strategy Group Digital Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £988,603

3.

Collaborate with HEI and ITE partnerships to ensure all teachers enter the profession well prepared and supported

Regional lead to attend strategic planning meetings in teaching accredited HE institutions

Regional lead to liaise with HEIs to bridge the transition from QTS to induction. Co- construction to ensure seamless progression between QTS and induction

Lead for Research and HEI Partnerships PL and Research Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £92,511

4.

Work with other regions and WG to develop alternative routes into teaching and develop part-time ITE.

Regional lead to coordinate 2019 Graduate Teacher Programme route

Regional lead to co-construct, monitor and evaluate the new alternative routes into teaching

Regional lead to support identification of schools to assist as core and partnership schools

Regional lead to identify, select and appoint high quality practice tutors from core Partner schools


Science from Feb 2020 Other subjects from October 2020

£77,794

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Regional lead to identify teacher shortages in the region

Regional lead to sit on the alternative routes partnership committee strategic board

5.

The regional Lead will work with LAs and other regions to ensure a consistent national high quality induction offer.

Regional lead to ensure consistency across the six Local Authorities in the approach to induction

Regional Lead to attend joint-consortia and WG meetings to establish a Wales wide national offer for induction training and mentoring

Regional lead to complete standardisation and national moderation of induction profiles

Regional lead to support in school mentoring and External verification of induction profiles

Regional lead to establish regional induction panel to support local authority Abs


April 2019- March 2020 £612,338

6. Coordinate approaches to ensure that all schools can grow as Learning Organisations

Creation of a dynamic updatable regional SLO timeline on the ERW website.

The ERW SLO timeline to achieve this will mirror the national approach from Welsh Government

The timeline will need to be dynamic to enable updating to reflect any nuances from the National rollout.

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead PL and Research Strategy Group ERW SLT

April 2019 and ongoing as an updatable dynamic resource

£398,159

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The timeline will include recommended milestones for schools.

The timeline will include links to resources that are being developed in projects within ERW and cross regionally.

ERW will develop joint cross regional Raising Awareness and Developing Understanding electronic tools

Resources to support these tools will be on a Hwb playlist enabling practitioners to download them in addition to being able to update and add to the resources as required.

ERW will support the rollout of the national SLO survey tool through communications and events across the region throughout the timeline

7. Coordinate PL and accreditation for Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

With other consortia Deliver two rounds of HLTA Assessment.

Working with Cross Regional TA Group and WG, develop new HLTA Assessment model to reflect new standards

Develop and train new team of HLTA Assessors from across the region.

Leadership Lead Leadership Strategy Group

Round 17 May 2019; Round 18 December 2019.

Development Spring/Summer 2019.

Assessment against model May 2020.

January 2020

£157,668

8.

Working with the Cross Regional TA Group, provide an extensive portfolio of development opportunities for Teaching Assistants across the region.

Identify and train a team of providers (HLTA and Middle Leaders) in each LA to work with Regional TA Group in delivery of National TALP Programmes.

Leadership Lead Leadership

Train the Trainer April 2019.

£137,668

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Covering all stages of the Teaching Assistant Learning Pathway.

Deliver accredited National TALP programmes.

TA Induction Programme. (2 day)

Practicing TA Programme. (2 day)

Aspiring HLTA Programme. (1 day)

With National TA Group develop a new Aspiring HLTA Programme (3 day)

Strategy Group

Aspiring HLTA Programme. (Current) Summer 2019.

TA Induction, September 2019

Practicing TA Programme. September 2019

Aspiring HLTA Programme. (New) Summer 2019.

9. Develop and deliver toolkits for SLO self-evaluation and support key priorities through the PL offer

Joint creation of cross regional raising awareness and developing understanding resources with supporting HWB playlists

Creation of an ERW SLO self-evaluation tool based upon the PTS self-evaluation tool

Creation of PL resources which exemplify the practical application of SLO at every level of the school

ERW will support the rollout of these resources through communications and events across the region in accordance with the SLO timeline

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead Leadership Strategy Group

April 2019 and ongoing £90,711

10.

Use data from regional audit to establish a baseline for the Welsh skills of the current teacher workforce. This data will be used to set targets for increase in the number of teachers and TAs able to teach through the medium of

Regional Lead for Welsh, in collaboration with Welsh Government and LA officers to use the most recent baseline data to set targets for increasing the number of teachers and TAs able to teach through the medium of Welsh

Welsh in Education Lead Welsh Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £71,761

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Welsh, and also to identify training needs.

Regional Lead for Welsh to use baseline data to identify training needs and discuss priorities for future training with LA representatives on regional committees

Regional Lead for Welsh to attend national meetings to ensure that regional needs and views are expressed and addressed in discussions regarding future provision / training programmes

Regional Lead for Welsh to be involved in national / regional discussions regarding ITE and NQT training programmes to ensure future provision addresses regional and national targets to increase the number of teachers able to teach through the medium of Welsh

11.

Develop a PL programme to develop the Welsh language proficiency of teachers and TAs at different levels across all sectors, in collaboration with Welsh Government and the other regional consortia. Programme to be delivered in collaboration with external partners and providers.

Regional Lead for Welsh, in collaboration with Welsh Government officers, the other regional consortia, and the universities to develop a national language competence framework specifically for the education workforce to ensure all teachers / TAs can be placed on a general language continuum as a baseline for their professional development

Regional Lead for Welsh, in collaboration with Welsh Government officers, the other


April 2019-March 2020 £116,011

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consortia and LA representatives to develop a PL programme to address the training needs of teachers / TAs within the region

Regional Lead for Welsh ensures effective delivery of the regional PL programme which will be delivered, in the main by external partners and providers

12.

Work with the Sabbatical Scheme providers in the region and collaborate on future provision, and develop a mentoring programme for those who have completed the Sabbatical Scheme.

Regional Lead for Welsh to discuss local training needs with LA representatives on regional committees and ensure those needs are addressed by the Sabbatical Scheme providers and any other Welsh language training providers in the future

Regional Lead for Welsh, to consider and discuss with Welsh Government, the other regional consortia, LA representatives and Sabbatical Scheme providers how best to deliver a mentoring programme for those who have completed the Sabbatical Scheme


April 2019-March 2020 £98,761

13.

To facilitate the delivery of the Siarter Iaith across the region, and plan the strategic use of the Siarter Iaith grant in order to achieve Welsh Government’s aims and ensure all schools in region make continuous progress against the Siarter Iaith aims.

Regional Lead for Welsh to plan the strategic use of the Siarter Iaith grant in order to achieve Welsh Government’s aims and ensure all schools in the region make continuous progress against the Siarter Iaith aims


April 2019-March 2020 £278,994

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Regional Lead for Welsh to discuss and agree on Siarter Iaith priorities for each LA, in discussion with LA officers

Regional Lead for Welsh to monitor and evaluate the use of the grants provided to each LA to deliver Siarter Iaith priorities and agree on annual targets.

Regional Lead for Welsh to ensure frequent regional discussions on the delivery of the Siarter Iaith, and to facilitate opportunities to share best practice

Regional Lead for Welsh to represent the region in national meetings with Welsh Government regarding the Siarter Iaith, and to report back to LA officers on any national developments e.g. the timescale for the roll out of the new Siarter Iaith framework

14.

Develop educational resources to support the teaching of Welsh as a second language in response to needs identified by teachers.

Regional Lead for Welsh, Regional Leaders of Learning for Welsh, and LA officers to discuss and agree on priorities regarding the development of new educational resources to support the teaching of Welsh, and the teaching of Welsh as a second language in particular

Educational resources to be developed and shared with schools across the region


April 2019-March 2020 £217,180

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15.

Coordinate a regional offer to help improve the quality of pedagogy in Welsh language. To provide direct support to school in collaboration with LAs and to prove a regional training programme to address regional needs and / or update on national developments.

Regional Lead for Welsh and Regional Leaders of Learning for Welsh to develop a regional offer to help improve the quality of pedagogy in Welsh language, by means of training programmes, workshops and sharing best practice

Regional Leaders of Learning for Welsh to provide direct support to schools in collaboration with LAs


April 2019-March 2020 £199,270

16.

Co-ordinate opportunities to engage practitioners in the use of action-based research to improve provision and outcomes for learners.

Regional lead to liaise with LAs and other regional consortia to identify priorities, develop research programmes (at school, LA and regional level) and share action research findings

Regional lead to co-ordinate the development of effective PL to support practitioners in the use of enquiry and research

Lead for Research and HEI Partnerships PL + Research Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £66,430

17.

Ensure opportunities for university-school engagement to support an increased research engaged profession.

Regional lead to develop HEI / School collaborative development of academic research projects to support school improvement in priority areas

Regional lead to support University led PL for school research leads/practitioners


April 2019-March 2020 £66,430

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18. Ensure that regional PL is predicated on effective use of educational research

Regional lead to work with WG, other consortia and HEI to co-ordinate the identification and sharing (in an appropriate format) of relevant educational research conducted nationally and internationally to support PL


April 2019-March 2020 £66,430

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Inspirational leaders working collaboratively to raise standards. Perchennog Plan Owner



Bwriad Intent

1. Professional Standards - Ensure that leaders in the region are able to use the professional standards to underpin school improvement 2. Professional Learning - To ensure a regional offer, in line with the national pathway, to ensure effective development for current and

future leaders. 3. Curriculum for Wales - Ensure that all leaders are planning effectively to prepare for the delivery of the new curriculum. 4. Cymraeg - Ensure that all leaders are planning effectively to play their part in the delivery of the Welsh in Education strategy and the

‘Cymraeg 2050: Welsh language strategy’. 5. Research and HEI partnership - Ensure that leaders make effective use of, and provide opportunity for high quality research to inform

practice. 6. ALN - ALN transformation is understood by all school improvement staff

Gweithredu Action


Swyddog Cyfrifol

Responsible Officer

Cyfnod Timescale

Cyllid Budget

1.

The Region will provide PL and support for all leaders to utilise the Professional Standards in order to develop and lead effective learning organisations.

Delivery of National Leadership Development Programmes for each stage of professional learning pathway. Each programme will reflect and develop National Mission, SLO and Professional Standards


Programme at each stage of Professional learning Pathway by summer 2020

£81,839

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appropriate to each stage of professional learning

2.

Collaborate effectively with all regions and the Leadership Academy (NAEL) to establish an accredited high quality PL offer for all leaders.

Work with Cross Regional Leadership Group to develop and deliver National Leadership programmes. National programmes will be accredited by NAEL prior to delivery across Wales


Programme at each stage of Professional learning Pathway by summer 2020

£40,392

3.

Work with and across LAs to identify and encourage the development of future leaders across the region.

Working with Regional Leadership Group, identify personnel to engage with programmes and system leadership opportunities for experienced staff


At each LA Leadership Group meeting. (half term)

£95,392

4.

Provide an extensive portfolio of leadership development opportunities for the regional education community. To include: Middle Leader, Aspiring Senior Leader, Aspiring Headteacher, NPQH, New to Headship, Experienced Headteacher and Executive Headteacher.

Deliver accredited National Leadership programmes

Middle Leader, New Programme to be developed by Cross Regional Group

New and Acting Headteacher Programme. Delivery in partnership with LA

Experienced Headteacher, National programme delivered in cross regional cohorts

Deliver Regional Leadership programmes until National programmes become available

Senior Leader, Secondment programme of Middle Leaders to SLT

Executive Headteacher. ERW programme for Headteachers of more than one school and schools of more than one site

Leadership Lead Leadership Strategy Group Health and Wellbeing Group

National Programme.

Middle Leader, September 2019

New and Acting Headteacher Programme. Round 1 running until Summer 2020; Round 2, Spring 2019 – Summer 2021.

Experienced Headteacher, from September 2019

Local Programmes.

Senior Leader, September 2019

Headteachers of more than one school and schools of more than

£404,265

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Aspiring Headteacher Programme. Secondary / Primary. Available on request from LA or Regional Leadership Group

one site. Spring 2019 – Summer 2019.

Aspiring Headteacher Programme, on request

5.

Provide school leaders with opportunities to experience and learn from a range of successful settings across and beyond the region.

Regional lead will liaise with LA leads and other regional consortia leads in the further development of school to school collaboration utilising the Lead School model and enhanced Regional Lead School Matrix

Regional Lead will support the further development of Dolen as a portal for learning across the region

Strategic Lead for Secondary Support to liaise with Regional Lead to ensure effective support at middle leadership level

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead Professional Learning and Rsearch Strategy Group

£187,857

6.

Work with LAs to provide additional support for secondary leaders and build capacity for schools in challenging circumstances.

Through the School Performance Team, early requirement of support will be identified and shared with the Secondary Support Team

Further develop the good working relationships with LAs and Senior Challenge Advisers to ensure that schools at risk and in need of leadership support are identified

Continue to build a strong team of staff who have the appropriate skills to support these schools

Deliver bespoke leadership support, coaching and mentoring to headteachers, senior and middle

Secondary Support Lead

April 2019 to April 2020: Levels of support will be determined by the context of each school and will continue until leaders are well placed to secure long term improvements in standards

£80,693

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leaders based on the context of each school

Continue to work in partnership with the school Challenge Adviser and regional staff to broker effective specialist support where needed

Provide clear evaluation of impact of the support and work carried out with schools

7. Work with LAs to provide additional subject support for teachers and leaders.

Strategic Lead for Secondary Support to liaise with LA Challenge Advisers to agree and ensure co-ordinated support is delivered in identified secondary schools in core and foundation subjects

Secondary Leaders of Learning to support identified departments through a range of bespoke strategies

Secondary Leaders of Learning to co-ordinate and deliver HoD meetings in core subjects across the region

Foundation subject Leader of Learning to co-ordinate HoD meetings through existing networks and Lead Practitioners

All identified departments to receive Statement of Intent outlining support which will be shared with Challenge Adviser

Secondary Curriculum and Examinations Lead Curriculum Strategy Group

April 2019 – March 2010 £442,813

8.

ERW will create opportunities for leaders to develop their understanding and implement the new curriculum in their schools.

The regional lead will work with the other regions and WG to develop a national offer for PL

Curriculum Reform and Innovation Lead

April 2019-March 2020 £91,538

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The regional lead will collaborate with LA and regional staff to ensure regional delivery of the national PL programme is fit for purpose and effective

The regional lead will ensure the working groups develop strong PL programmes and that schools have good access to these

The regional lead will work with the regional lead for leadership and national and regional leadership groups to ensure PL for curriculum reform is strong, effective and fit for purpose

Leadership Strategy Group

9.

ERW will ensure that all leadership development opportunities provide effective support for all leaders to develop and implement the new approaches to the teaching of Welsh and the Welsh dimension.

Regional Lead for Welsh to be involved in discussions regarding leadership development opportunities to ensure effective support for all leaders to develop and implement the new approaches to the teaching of Welsh and the Welsh dimension.

Regional Lead for Welsh in collaboration with LA regional representatives to develop and deliver opportunities for leaders to increase their understanding of the national and regional strategy for Welsh in education and address identified training needs at school / LA / regional level.


April 2019-March 2020 £71,761

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10.

Increase opportunities for leaders to be included in university-school engagement to support an increased research engaged profession.

Regional lead will co-ordinate and develop research and evaluation based collaborative programmes to engage school leaders in building leadership capacity across schools

Research lead will co-ordinate the delivery of PL opportunities for school leaders in the leadership of research engaged / evidence informed schools

Research and HEI Partnerships Lead Professional Learning and Research Strategy Group

April 2019-March 2020 £25,789

11. Provide a regular bulletin that showcases current and relevant research.

Research lead will co-ordinate the collation of relevant and appropriate research and transforming it into a format that is ‘user friendly’ for leaders

Research lead will utilise regional communication pathways (eg. MD communications / website / Dolen) in order to showcase and share research updates

Research and HEI Partnerships Lead Professional Learning and Research Strategy Group

£25,789

12.

ERW will facilitate opportunities for Local Authority and regional staff to engage with PL around ALN reform

Regional lead will work closely with ALN Transformation Lead to identify areas of PL required by individual LAs. Region will work effectively with LA leads to ensure that regional capacity is effectively used to support PL within LAs

Region will work closely with NAEL to deliver PL for leaders in the context of ALN.

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead Professional Learning and Research Strategy Group

April 2019-Match 2020 £17,416

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Strong and inclusive schools that are committed to excellence, equity and well-being Perchennog Plan Owner



Bwriad Intent

1. Professional Learning - Ensure that all PL opportunities support the ambition for schools to be inclusive, equitable communities committed to improved wellbeing for all.

2. Cymraeg - Ensure that every learner across ERW has access to effective teaching to enable them to become bilingual citizens. 3. Supporting our most vulnerable leaners - Maximise the impact of commissioned research of practice in relation to more vulnerable

groups at school, LA and regional level. 4. More able Learners - All school in ERW provide great teaching and excellent opportunities for all learners. 5. ALN - Support all schools to meet the needs of all pupils

Gweithredu Action


Swyddog Cyfrifol

Responsible Officer

Cyfnod Timescale

Cyllid Budget

1.

ERW will ensure that all PL opportunities are fully aligned with the requirement to meet the wellbeing needs of all pupils across the region.

Draft a regional ‘Equity and Well-being Strategy’ in collaboration with representatives from the LAs. (May-July 2019)

Health and Wellbeing Lead Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group

May 2019 – July 2019 £31,646

2. ERW will, through the PL offer, ensure continuous improvement in the quality of teaching of Welsh

Regional Lead for Welsh, in collaboration with the regional Leaders of Learning for Welsh to plan

Welsh in Education Lead

April 2019 – March 2019 £71,761

Page 65


and teaching through the medium of Welsh.

and deliver a PL offer that ensures continuous improvement in the quality of the teaching of Welsh as a subject and of teaching through the medium of Welsh.

Regional Lead for Welsh and regional Leaders of Learning for Welsh to evaluate the impact of the aspects of the PL offer relating to Welsh medium / Welsh subject to ensure that the programme addresses the region’s needs and leads to an improvement in the quality of the teaching of Welsh and teaching through the medium of Welsh.

Welsh Strategy Group

3. Support LAs, schools and settings to make effective use of the PDG and PDGLAC

Produce evidence based good practice (including guidance on barriers to learning) for schools and Challenge Advisers - to be co-constructed with nominated leads from the 6 LAs.

Develop and roll out further training and guidance for Challenge Advisers ((April 2019- March 2020)

DOLEN and HWB network to disseminate and share best practice (April 2019- March 2020)

Work with LA Leads to develop template documents, clear accountability

Establish a regional PDGLAC Steering Group to: agree on regional priorities

Health and Wellbeing Lead Strategic Adviser for PDG Health and Wellbeing Group

April 2019 – March 2020 £24,406,541

Page 66


and governance arrangements of the grant for 2019-20 (April – May 2019)

4.

Work with other Consortia and Welsh Government officers to gather and develop national good practice, guidance documents and opportunities for cross regional working.

Regional lead to attend and contribute to national meetings and the development of guidance materials

Regional lead to ensure key messages are shared with all schools.

Regional lead to contribute to Challenge Adviser training.

Health and Wellbeing Lead Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group Strategic Adviser for PDG

April 2019 – March 2020 £35,703

5.

Utilise regional oversight and understanding to create opportunities for schools to learn from each other and see first-hand what works.

Set up regular ‘PDG Good Practice ‘ events across each LA – working closely with LA leads to ensure that agreed areas for school development are considered (May 2019 – March 2020)

Further roll out of PDG Peer Review as part of regional peer review programme (May 2019 – March 2020)

Work closely with Challenge Advisers to identify those schools who require a more intensive level of support and facilitate cross regional school to school / TRIAD opportunities and support from external organisations

Organise a ‘Supporting Vulnerable Learners’ Conference to offer all schools the opportunity to hear from experts, share good practice and meet

Strategic Adviser for PDG Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group

April 2019 – March 2020 £70,554

Page 67


external support organisations (October 2019)

6.

Ensure that schools receive appropriate PL opportunities to fully engage with and enact the HWb AoLE

Complete a ‘well-being’ mapping exercise across the region to ensure that PL offers for HWb AoLE align with, and build upon existing good practice in LAs. (April – July 2019)

Work with key partners to align HWb AoLE with existing health promoting programmes: Healthy Schools Network: Sports Wales (April 2019 – Oct 2019)

Health and Wellbeing Lead Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group

April 2019 – Oct 2019 £33,037

7. Develop a focus in all AoLE activity and secondary support around the needs of the more able.

Regional lead will co-ordinate school engagement to develop and capture emerging effective practice with more able learners across the AoLEs

Regional lead will update all leaders on emerging practice and provide PL opportunities

Liaise with Strategic Lead for Secondary Support to ensure consistent message from Subject Specialist

Senior Leadership Team /Heads of Sector Curriculum Innovation Lead

£89,638

8.

Engage with regional partners, schools, SEREN, WG and other stakeholders to develop strategy, guidance and PL opportunities for teachers and support staff.

Regional lead will collaborate with all stakeholders in the co-construction of the national strategic direction and guidance for the more able in line with the National Mission

Regional lead to update ERW and LA colleagues on the development of the more able and talented strategy related to pedagogy and assessment,

Senior Leadership Team

£89,638

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leadership, professional learning, roles and responsibilities and wellbeing

Regional lead to lead and co-ordinate ensure development and delivery of effective PL programmes for MAT leaders

9.

Collaborate with regional lead for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) to implement, as appropriate, PL for school based practitioners

Regional lead will work closely with ALN transformation lead to identify areas of PL required by individual LAs. Region will work effectively with LA leads to ensure that regional capacity is effectively used to support gaps in PL within LAs

Region will work closely with NAEL to deliver PL for leaders in the context of ALN.

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead Heads of Sector

April 2019-March 2020 £20,082

10.

Develop a focus in all AoLE activity and secondary support around the needs of all pupils, with a clear focus on special/alternative settings.

The regional lead and the strategic lead for secondary support will ensure all secondary support teams provide high quality and bespoke support which secures improved capacity for teaching, learning and leadership

The secondary support team will develop effective PL programmes which support teachers and leaders to prepare their curriculum for implementation in 2022

The strategic lead for secondary support will monitor the quality of support to schools and its impact on improving capacity for improvement

Curriculum Lead Special Schools and Alternative Settings Lead Heads of Sector

April 2019-March 2020 £17,416

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Robust assessment, evaluation and accountability arrangements supporting a self-improving system Perchennog Plan Owner



Bwriad Intent

1. Classroom Assessment - Ensure that all teachers use assessment effectively to develop all their learners. 2. Whole school accountability system - Whole school assessment is carried out to improve the quality of learning and promote

effective accountability. 3. Self-evaluation and peer engagement - Self-evaluation processes are honest, transparent and robust to help inform effective school

improvement. All partners in the system become open to supporting others and receiving support from others. 4. Effective use of school intelligence - All intelligence is used for the benefit of learners and secure effective progress over time. 5. Securing regional evaluation and improvement - All parts of the system become open to peer support, challenge and accountability

as required. 6. Categorisation - The quality assurance of school categorisation and support secures consistent and excellent provision across the

region

Gweithredu Action


Swyddog Cyfrifol

Responsible Officer(s)

Cyfnod Timescale

Cyllid Budget

1.

Ensure that PL equips all teachers to use assessment to maximise the learning of all pupils. Ensure PL supports schools to understand and pay due regard to statutory guidance for assessment.

Region Assessment Lead to attend national group to influence development

Regional Assessment Lead to meet with assessment group on termly basis. LA reps to agree and share all

Professional Learning and Leadership Lead Heads of Sector

April 2019 – March 2020

£137,628

Page 70


updates consistently with headteachers

Regional Lead to agree CA programme of work to include evaluating the impact of assessment and reported on regional systems

Professional Learning and Research Strategy Group

2.

The region will work with WG to develop effective whole school accountability and ensure that the Local Authority is well informed of progress.

Regional lead to attend all national accountability boards and to use regional mechanisms to communicate national development with regional leads, CAs and LAs on a regular basis

Regional lead to coordinate all milestones for new accountability model, ensuring that schools and LAs fully engage with new accountability measures and models

CA programme of work to include supporting effective whole school accountability; to be reported on Rhwyd.

Assistant MD Senior Leadership Team


£56,969

3.

Support LAs and schools to ensure that self-evaluation is aligned to school improvement and aimed at realising the four purposes. Create and promote a model of peer engagement and support to secure school improvement.

Regional Lead to attend all Estyn/OECD national toolkit meetings and use regional mechanisms to communicate updates with regional teams and LAs as appropriate.



£56, 969

Page 71


Communication to include PL for all CAs on effective self-evaluation and ensuring that schools are clearly aligning self-evaluation and school improvement

Regional Lead to coordinate piloting of new self-evaluation toolkit with schools, communicating effectively will LAs and schools

Working with a sample of practitioners, the regional Lead will develop and deliver a model for peer engagement across all schools. This model will be effectively shared in PL events with headteachers and CAs

4.

Use intelligence of school performance to ensure that evaluation leads to improved regional school improvement activity

The Regional Lead will coordinate all system development to collate and utilise all available intelligence on school performance to steer regional school improvement activity

Regional Lead to ensure all intelligence will be available to all regional leads and CAs and will be used effectively to drive change for improvement



£17,416

5. Design and deliver regional evaluation and improvement models that will be reflective, open

Regional Lead, working alongside LA Directors, will develop a transparent, honest and rigorous

Assistant MD


£56,969

Page 72


and honest and lead to improved accountability. Providing a place for all parts of the system to contribute.

programme of peer engagement to inform ongoing self-evaluation across the region

Regional Lead will coordinate a programme of peer engagement, utilising a range of stakeholders to openly evaluate the impact of school improvement delivery across the region

Regional Lead will coordinate the sharing of any key findings with all stakeholders so that robust action planning for improvement can be put in place and effectively monitored

Senior Leadership Team

6.

Continue to contribute to the national design and delivery of the National School Support and Accountability Model. Provide effective PL for all schools based on national development.

Regional Lead will attend all Standards Group meetings, and will contribute effectively to all national development of future accountability models

Regional Lead will deliver PL and guidance to all stakeholders around proposed National Support and Authentication Model 2019-2020

Regional Lead will coordinate all accountability procedures to ensure a consistent approach to authentication as part of the new National Support and Accountability Model

Assistant MD


£56,969

Page 73


Abbreviations

ACE Adverse childhood experiences

ALN Additional learning needs

AoLE Area of Learning Experience

CA Challenge adviser

LAC Looked After Children

CSI Core subject indicator

DCF Digital Competence Framework

EAL English as an additional language

eFSM Eligible for free school meals

HEI Higher education institutions

HLTA Higher level teaching assistant

ITE Initial teacher education

LA Local authority

MAT More able and talented

NAEL National Academy for Educational Leadership

NQT Newly qualified teacher

PDG Pupil development grant

PL Professional Learning

PRU Pupil referral unit

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SER Self-evaluation report

SLO Schools as learning organisations

SLT Senior leadership team

WG Welsh Government

WM Welsh medium

Note

When School activity is characterised through “networks/families/clusters”, ERW understands that the configuration of this collaborative

working between schools can be denoted according to local/school needs.

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Item no. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ERW SCRUTINY COUNCILLOR GROUP DATE: 27 January 2020

TITLE OF REPORT

Support for Secondary Schools: ERW Subject Specialists


Aims and objectives

Brokerage/Identification of schools

Interim Performance Measures

Identification of schools

Professional Learning

Impact and Evaluation

Next Steps


Ian Altman

Lead for Secondary Curriculum and Examinations

Report attached: Yes

Presentation at meeting: Yes

Page 76

Agenda Item 6

ERW Secondary Subject Specialists

ERW’s Secondary Subject Specialists provide valuable support for all secondary schools in the region in a

targeted and bespoke manner. The work has evolved from the support delivered by Leaders of Learning

who were originally seconded to support schools with delivery of new GCSE specifications. The team

targets support effectively and proportionately and ensures greater support is provided to departments

most in need.

All schools are provided with detailed and evaluative reports which provide clear recommendations for

improvement. A Support Form is then completed which outlines clearly the support that each school

can expect to receive. This ensures the lines of accountability and that recommendations are addressed

effectively. Quality assurance of reports is a strength and the beneficial feedback that Secondary

Subject Specialists have been provided with has improved the quality of documentation over time.

2019/20

All core department data analysed and bespoke and targeted support underway. Interim Performance

Measures used to identify departments – far less data available than in previous years.

Bespoke support ongoing with all schools with schools/departments causing concerns prioritised.

Secondary Subject Specialists deliver high quality, focused network meetings for core subject leaders

across the region as well as a range of INSET opportunities for specialist and non-specialist teachers.

Network Meetings also delivered by team members responsible for Humanities and post-16 provision.

Work of all lead practitioners and lead schools across non-core subjects monitored and evaluated and

resources shared via Hwb Networks. This is an effective way of delivering school to school support.

Support delivered for preparation of Maths/Num entry (where appropriate) as well as Non Examination

Assessment (NEA) in all subject areas.

Full review of item level data from summer 2019 examinations undertaken with identified departments

and specific examination skills developed with the team e.g. Synthesis reading in English Language.

Departmental to departmental work is brokered where appropriate and ERW team members monitor

the quality and impact of this work and ensure best practice is shared via appropriate platforms e.g. Hwb

Networks, Microsoft Teams.

Bespoke support will continue for all school as this had a very positive impact. Support Form document

in place for all priority departments with clear strategies for improvement and success criteria – this

includes support for middle leaders, lesson studies and specific focus on pedagogy.

Support Form regularly reviewed with the school to ensure that all elements are on track. Form includes

‘ERW will…’ and ‘The School will…’ section to ensure that capacity is developed and that Secondary

Subject Specialists are working with departments to ensure progress for learners.

Feedback from all departments and schools continues to be positive.

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ERW representatives attend all GCSE courses from WJEC to ensure consistent delivery of key messages.

Secondary Subject Specialists engage with WJEC officers to align messages to schools and develop

professional learning. ERW officers developing Welsh Literature and Psychology online CPD.

Representatives from ERW are members of the cross regional groups with a focus on More Able and

Talented learners, WJEC links and Post-16.

Support for Welsh Second Language has mirrored the support for Welsh first language (as in previous

years). Events have been held for all middle leaders to share developed schemes of work and focus on

pedagogical approaches and capacity building in Welsh departments across the region.

Secondary Subject Specialists meet half-termly to update key documents and discuss schools causing

concern. These meetings ensure that the work is evaluated and progress towards delivery of the Business

Plan is monitored.

Strong communication links between the Curriculum team has been developed and teams liaise to

develop core messages linked to New Curriculum Framework. This work will continue in 2020 and

secondary team will supplement expertise to unsure specialism is developed and supported

appropriately as we progress to September 2022.

Strong links have been developed with Qualifications Wales and ERW have planned meetings to discuss

findings of consultation on new qualifications. These qualifications will be delivered from September

2025.

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Item no. 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ERW SCRUTINY COUNCILLOR GROUP DATE: 27 January 2020

TITLE OF REPORT

ERW Leading Research and Higher Education Partnerships

by Sally Llewellyn


The report summarises the progress made to date in the following areas:

Cross Regional Professional Learning Offer

Schools as Learning Organisations

Classroom Based Research Enquiry

Research Enquiry Project Summaries

Initial Teacher Education Partnerships


Sally Llewellyn

Report attached: Yes

Presentation at meeting: Yes

Page 79

Agenda Item 7

Report for Scrutiny Committee

ERW Leading Research and Higher Education Partnerships by Sally Llewellyn

Cross Regional Professional Learning Offer

As ERW’s representative on the Cross Regional Professional Learning Partnership, I am jointly responsible for the

realisation of Curriculum for Wales. It is essential that connections are made across all aspects of the education

reform programme. This needs to include a consideration of the Schools as Learning Organisations approach, the

Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership and our collective commitment to the Excellence, Equity and

Wellbeing agenda.

Professional Learning is being organized nationally by leadership milestones, to ensure that content is nuanced

suitably to empower practitioners within specific roles. We are in the process of developing a common set of

professional learning materials developed nationally, through a process of co-construction between schools, regional

consortia and their link Higher Education Institutions.

Planning has commenced for this year’s cross regional professional learning offer delivered regionally for all

stakeholders. Resources and materials are in the process of being produced by the cross-regional professional

learning working party to ensure consistency of content with the flexibility to deliver the programmes in line with

regional structures and strengths:

Headteachers and senior leaders will receive support in the following topics:

Leading Change

Developing a Shared Vision for the New Curriculum

Planning for Curriculum Change

Creating Time and Space for Professional Learning

Collaborative Approaches to Curriculum Design

Leading Pedagogy

Middle Leaders and Teachers will also receive guidance on:

Curriculum for Wales 2022

Using the Planning Guidance Materials

Long and Medium Term Planning

Cross-Curricular Skills

Disciplinary / Interdisciplinary

Progression

Links within and across AoLEs

Pedagogic Content Knowledge

Assessment

Schools as Learning Organisations

Today’s schools must equip students with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in an uncertain,

constantly changing tomorrow. But many schools look much the same today as they did a generation ago, and too

many teachers are not developing the pedagogies and practices required to meet the diverse needs of 21st-century

learners. The work undertaken by the OECD in conjunction with Welsh Government teaches us that if schools are to

be ready to face the demands of the new curriculum they need to be able to Adapt to Change, Respond to Diverse

Needs, Embrace Innovation and Develop a Capacity for Learning

Since joining ERW, I have participated in over 20 Engagement Events and Roadshows across the region explaining

the significance and relevance of this model to headteachers, senior leaders and challenge advisers from all 6 Local

Authorities. As Lead for Research, dimension 4 of the SLO model is an integral part of helping to support schools to

Page 80

ready themselves for curriculum change and this is where a lot of my time and activity is spent in developing schools

as learning organisations with research informed, reflective practitioners in their classrooms.

The alignment between the 5 professional standards and the 32 descriptors that sit within these standards are

closely aligned with the SLO model. Headteachers are reassured when they can see that there is support to help

them join the dots to achieve their goals in a way that can be easily understood by the busy teachers who make up

their schools. As someone who has organised whole school professional learning opportunities and planned INSET

Days I know it is vital that key messages for staff have to be bitesize and manageable. At ERW we support school

leaders by making sense of the landscape of change and supporting them to share key messages with their staff.

The SLO survey went live in July 2019, when I started in post in September, very few schools had completed the

survey. The headteacher has to register the school using the DfE number and he/she completes the survey first this

will the generate a link that should be sent to the rest of the anonymous participants within the organisation. By

October 1st we were up to 20% of schools across the region completing the survey and thanks to the information we

have been able to share with headteachers at engagement events and roadshows our numbers are steadily

increasing at a rate of about 8% per month and in the latest update 37% of schools have engaged with this process in

order to help them understand the strengths and weaknesses of their organisation.

The cross regional working party on SLOs has produced 2 playlists that capture all of the key information relevant to

SLO. The links to these playlists have been sent out in the ERW newsletter to headteachers and are also available

through our website. The first playlist provides background information to the model and the survey whereas the

second playlist focusses on each dimension in turn. It suggests tasks schools can undertake to strengthen each of the

7 dimensions in their schools, e.g. carrying out a learning walk to assess the level of shared vision, a staff audit to

explore professional learning opportunities, a network diagram to explore collaborative links, asking staff to define

their role within the organisation. The second playlist also provides case studies from pilot schools across Wales who

have been working towards embedding the seven dimensions of the SLO model.

Classroom Based Research Enquiry

At ERW, we believe Professional Enquiry in the Classroom is key to developing teachers within our learning

organisations. We see professional enquiry in the classroom as a ‘finding out’ or an investigation with a rationale and

approach that can be explained or defended. It is important that enquiry is seen as a process not as a series of

isolated projects. Teachers develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions and understanding required to become the

kind of professionals who are able to question, challenge, understand and know deeply about teaching and learning.

ERW is committed to an action enquiry approach, offering structured guidance to teachers wishing to carry out

classroom based research. I have developed a model that captures the 6 steps of classroom based professional

enquiry. Step 1 Ask Why? What problem have you identified that needs a solution, how does this problem link to

your school priorities that you have captured through self-evaluation? Step 2 Ask What? What is your specifically

focus within the larger problem. What precise research question are you hoping to answer (the narrower the focus

the better). Step 3 Ask How? What are the best research methods available to you to explore your question?

Analysis of quantitative data? Qualitative approaches such as surveys, interviews or focus groups? Will reviewing the

research literature available to you on this topic help? (The EBSCO Search Engine on the EWC site is a fantastic place

to start as it has a vast database of educational research free to access for all teachers) Step 4: Ask Who? Do I need

to take into account any ethical considerations in my use of data. Should I be informing parents if I am planning to

use data derived from pupils to carry out my research. Am I clear about asking for consent to use questionnaire

findings or discussions in focus groups with teaching staff? Step 5: Having carried out your research Ask What have I

learned? Did the qualitative/quantitative data support or refute my initial thinking? Was the literature I reviewed

conclusive? Were my experiments or interventions open to bias? Step 6: Ask What happens next? In the light of the

outcomes from my research how will this affect my practice in school and what impact will it have on the learners?

Self-Evaluation: Why?

Set a Research Question: What?

Research Methodology:

How?

Ethical Considerations:

Who?

Evaluate Evidence: What did you

learn?

Consider Outcomes: What are you going to

do next?

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In line with the National Professional Enquiry Project, I have developed a regional survey tool to capture the action

enquiry that is taking place in schools across the region on a diverse range of projects. The questions on the survey

follow the 6 steps of classroom based professional enquiry previously outlined. As a region, we can then share this

research with all schools through an interactive database on the ERW website. For schools to develop as learning

organisations, the learning system in which they sit can support collaboration and innovation by capturing and

sharing the results of enquiry to enable transfer of learning between organisations. The online Form uses the 6 steps

of enquiry model to capture the rationale, process and outcomes of professional enquiry and the results can be

easily shared across the system.

Research Enquiry Project Summaries

ERW has 20 Lead Enquiry Schools, 15 National Network Schools, 28 Quality Improvement Schools, 4 Innovation

Schools, 67 Lead Creative Schools, 10 Leading Collaborative Learning Schools, 7 More Able and Talented Lead

Schools, 45 Research Enquiry Schools, 13 Health and Well-Being Research Schools, 26 Initial Teacher Education Lead

Partnership Schools.

Lead Enquiry Schools are taking part in the National Professional Enquiry Project or NPEP for short. This project

involves partnership working with UWTSD, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Bangor University. Previously known

as Professional Learning Pioneers, Lead Enquiry Schools continue to work with Higher Education Institutions to

develop cycles of enquiry and develop key skills relating to research methods. ERW are working with UWTSD for the

2019-2020 academic year developing research enquiry questions on a range of topics ranging from pedagogy to

well-being. Lead Enquiry Schools are responsible for sharing their learning and expertise with schools in clusters

across the region.

In April 2019, individuals from curriculum pioneer schools were given the opportunity to apply to be part of the

Quality Improvement phase of Curriculum for Wales. Their main tasks in this autumn term have been to refine the

curriculum and cross-curricular skills in light of feedback from stakeholders and to develop the assessment

framework, as well as support the work of Qualifications Wales. National Networks are in the process of being

established for each of the Areas of Learning and Experience. These schools send representatives to National

Network meetings within each AoLE and work with Quality Improvement schools to ensure curriculum and

professional learning work together closely for the next phase of the work in developing a curriculum for Wales.

There are 16 Innovation Schools across Wales: 4 per consortia. They have two key tasks: 1. Provide direct feedback

to the quality improvement groups through school based planning of the draft curriculum 2. Identify mechanical,

logistical and structural models to enact the curriculum through school planning.

The Lead Creative Schools Scheme is one of the key building blocks of Creative Learning through the Arts - an action

plan for Wales, jointly funded by the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government. It is a major schools

improvement initiative.

Ten secondary schools across the region are involved with the Leading Collaborative Learning Project. The

fascinating research described in ‘Clarity: What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching and Leading’ by Canadian

educationalist Dr. Lyn Sharratt is a school improvement cross regional Project backed by Welsh Government with

Swansea University capturing the journey and evaluating the impact of the work. Lyn has an international portfolio

and is working closely with secondary schools in the region to share some of the lesson learned in Ontario that may

be translatable to our context in Wales.

More Able and Talented Lead Schools are collating best practice from their own organisations, as well as identifying

areas for MAT action enquiry with their own schools before sharing their findings with schools across ERW. MAT

Lead Schools will work closely with other identified schools in each Local Authority who will receive additional

funding and starter training with NACE (The National Association for Able Children in Education) and continue to

collaborate as MAT Schools Networks to raise the level of challenge in all of our schools.

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ERW in partnership with 3 Higher Education Institutions – Swansea, UWTSD and Aberystwyth will be funding 15

schools per university to engage with research enquiry. The focus of the work is Building Research Capacity across

our schools with 5 funded days of training with academics from Higher Education Institutions to develop the

confidence and dispositions to carry out research in their schools and share their learning within their clusters.

I have supported Cressy Morgan, Lead for Health and Well-Being at ERW is currently working with a number of

schools across 2 projects using an action enquiry approach to explore data generated by the Schools Health Research

Network Survey and with the Samaritans on reducing school exclusions. By adopting the 6 steps of classroom based

professional enquiry model and capturing the findings using our regional survey tool, these schools will be able to

evaluate the impact of their enquiry and share their findings with other schools.

Initial Teacher Education Partnerships

Part of my role is to work closely with Initial Teacher Education partnerships across the region with a wide range of

HEI provider and their partnership schools. I sit on the strategic boards of 4 Universities, collaborating with them on

the direction of ITE in Wales. Much work has also been carried out this term to support the Open University in its

accreditation of alternative pathways for the PGCE in Wales. I have been able to develop strong working

relationships with our HEI partners through these ITE partnerships as well as the other projects we currently have

running across the region and this collaboration, particularly in the area of classroom based research is a really

important aspect of my role and the work we are trying to do at ERW to support our schools to be ready to face the

challenges of Curriculum for Wales and to build capacity to make it the success we all so desperately want it to be.

Page 83

ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group and ERW

Common Agreement and Protocol discussion

Background Scrutiny Officers from across the region met with the Interim Managing Director and the Assistant Director of ERW on 4 November to discuss some practicalities around support for and workings of the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group to ensure effective support. They discussed the following issues with a view to putting together a common agreement and protocol.

Practicalities around meetings, information provided and publication of agendas

Letters from ERW Councillor Group and response from Chair of Joint Committee

Timescales for receipt of information, written reports and letters

Protocol for pre-decision scrutiny

Discussion had and Actions Agreed The discussion focussed around the following points and these actions were agreed:

Issue discussed Actions

1 The ERW Joint Committee Chair and the Lead Director attend the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group at least once a year.

Agreed

2 A written report is provided by ERW for all items on the agenda (using the template attached in Appendix A, this is similar to the one used for the ERW Joint Committee). These can be supplemented with a presentation at the meeting, as necessary. All reports provided in Welsh and English.

Agreed

3 The ERW Managing Director do a ‘current position overview’ at each ERW Councillor Group meeting, providing a supporting report. This should cover current pertinent issues for example currently: progress with reform programme and new curriculum for Wales. In addition, any issues the Managing Director thinks appropriate affecting ERW or information the Councillor Group has requested.

Agreed

4 ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group constructively scrutinise work and decisions of ERW and give their views and recommendations via a letter to the Chair of the ERW Joint Committee.

Continue as done currently

5 Reasonable timescales for two way dialogue between the Councillor Group and the Joint Committee. The Chair of the ERW Joint Committee respond to letters from the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group with 29 days of receipt.

Interim Managing Director to discuss with Chair of Joint Committee and inform

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Agenda Item 8

2

Councillor Group of the outcome

6 Agendas from the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group meetings be public unless clear reasons for a private session are made.

Agreed

7 ERW Councillor Group Agendas are published by ERW on their public website prior to the ERW Councillor Group meeting.

Agreed

8 A protocol for Pre-decision Scrutiny established (see draft attached in Appendix B), this would enable scrutiny councillors to better engage with the agendas of the Joint Committee

Managing Director to discuss with ERW legal and Joint Committee and inform Councillor Group of outcome

9 ERW Joint Committee Forward Work Plan is shared with the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group at each ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group meeting and/or the Managing Director inform the Councillor Group of up and coming ERW Joint Committee decisions to enable the councillor group to complete pre-decision scrutiny.

The Managing Director of ERW to consider development of ERW Joint Committee Forward Work Programme. In the meantime will inform the ERW Councillor Group of any key ERW decisions in advance.

10 Papers for ERW Joint Committee be sent to the ERW Scrutiny Councillor and support officers as part of the general circulation to the Joint Committee (for information)

Agreed

11 ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group will give suitable notice for requests for information (this will be done directly after previous meeting, where these items are agreed).

Agreed

12 Members of the Councillor Group share information from the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group meetings with their respective scrutiny committees.

As done currently.

13 ERW Councillor Group Members engage with Estyn and other bodies, as required.

As done currently.

Page 85

3

Item no. (add) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ERW SCRUTINY COUNCILLOR GROUP DATE (add)

TITLE OF REPORT (add)


This report contains information on… (add)


Name, title (add)

Report attached: Yes or No (delete as appropriate)

Presentation at meeting: Yes or No (delete as appropriate)

APPENDIX A

Page 86

4

DRAFT Pre-decision/consultation Scrutiny

ERW Joint Committee decisions 1. Pre-decision scrutiny provides the ERW Scrutiny Group the opportunity for

consultation with the Joint Committee on fully developed proposals where a clear recommendation exists before that decision is taken by the ERW Joint Committee.

2. The purpose is to enable the ERW Councillor Group to gain information and

develop an understanding of the matter, and, act as a ‘critical friend’ by asking questions and commenting on the proposals. This gives scrutiny a valuable opportunity to inform and influence decision-making through debate and challenge.

3. The ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group will identify items for pre-decision scrutiny

from the ERW Joint Committee Forward Work Plan or from information given by the ERW Managing Director or ERW Joint Committee on key up and coming decisions.

4. In terms of key questions, the ERW Councillor Group may consider:

• The rationale for the report/decision • Robustness of the proposed decision and process • Potential impact and implications (including policy/performance/budget

issues) and risks • How different options have been considered • The extent of consultation undertaken

5. The Councillor Group will share its views with the Joint Committee on the decision,

which may include giving support, providing other suggestions on the way forward, or flagging up any concerns.

6. The ERW Councillor Group (through the Chair) will present its views, conclusions

and recommendations about the report/decision to the Joint Committee by email to the Chair of the Joint Committee when time is limited (this will be followed up in a letter from the Chair of the ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group).

7. The views of the ERW Councillor Group is formally considered by the Joint

Committee before it makes the decision on the proposals. Feedback should be given to the ERW Councillor Group including explanation for any rejection of views expressed.

APPENDIX B

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ERW Scrutiny Councillor Group Scrutiny Work Programme 2019-2020

Date and venue Items Who invited

Meeting 1 3 June 2019 Pembrokeshire Hosting

1. Groups Updated Terms of Reference 2. Minutes of Joint Committees (Feb and April 2019) 3. ERW Joint Committee July - items 4. Update on ERW reform programme 5. Update on progress with the four enabling objectives 6. New ERW Business Plan 7. Education Improvement across the region: what is being done to ensure

consistency and standardised support for schools

ERW Managing Director

Meeting 2 23 September 2019 Ceredigion Hosting

1. Updated Terms of Reference 2. Lead Chief Executive invited to discuss progress with reform (also include:

emerging governance structure and scheme of delegation and progress with new curriculum role out and timetable)

3. Invite two ERW Leads to discuss their vision: (1) Digital Learning/Systems and (2) Health and Wellbeing

4. See the costed ERW Business Plan for 2019/20

Lead Chief Executive 2 ERW Leads ERW Executive Officer

Meeting 3 27 January 2020 Powys Hosting

1. Chair of the ERW Joint Committee invited to discuss progress with the ERW Reform programme and ERW moving forward (Annual)

2. Managing Directors Update report: (a) New Curriculum reform (standing item) including progress with training for Teachers and Governors (b) Costed Business Plan (to be circulated with agenda)

3. Invite 2 ERW Leads: (1) Secondary Curriculum and Examinations and (2) Research and HEI Partnerships

Chair of ERW Joint Committee ERW Managing Director ERW Managing Director 2 ERW Leads

Meeting 4 Carmarthenshire Hosting 4 May 2020

1. Session looking at areas of learning and experience 2. Managing Directors Update report including looking at progress made

against ERW Business Plan objectives. Also any updates on key documents i.e.: new legislation, useful reports, training and/or information required by Group

3. Sharing individual Councils practice in relation to Schools Scrutiny (Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire)

4. Sharing of Councils scrutiny work programmes

TBA

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