Children and Young People Committee
CYP(4)-02-12
Paper 4
Implementation of the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009
Additional information from Governors Wales’ following oral evidence at the committee meeting on 7 December 2011
1.1 Thank you for the opportunity to meet with the Children and Young People Committee on 7th December 2011. In response to your request for supplementary information in relation to ‘how faith schools are meeting the requirements of collaboration and partnership working and on how many joint governing bodies have been established in Wales since the introduction of the measure’, Governors Wales offers the following comments:
1.2 Whilst collaboration and partnership working is encouraged, further additional information appears to be limited in relation to the requirements of collaboration and partnership working, with regards to the Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009, other than information documented in our earlier submission[1]. There appears however, to be informal arrangements in place within schools in general. This comment is primarily based on responses from Local Authority Governor Support Officers. We are aware however, that federations have been set up. From responses received there is evidence which indicates that some secondary schools and representatives of governing bodies work together in 14-19 federation, as well as evidence of cross border collaboration with faith schools.
1.3 There also appears to be very limited information on the number of joint governing bodies that have been established since the Measure was introduced. Anecdotal evidence appears to suggest that there are examples of informal arrangements in existence, as opposed to formalised arrangements. Possible lack of awareness of the two current sets of regulations on collaboration[2] that currently exist could be a considering factor. The committee will be aware of school governing body federations and the pilots that have been taking place across Wales. The Welsh Government will be issuing best practice guidance based on the experience of the schools in the pilots in due course. This will undoubtedly be of assistance.
1.4 Furthermore, The Education (Wales) Measure 2011 will enable powers and duties to ‘make collaboration commonplace in the education system’[3]as well as giving Local Authorities power to establish federation of schools.
We are aware that the Welsh Government will be making regulations to strengthen the current collaboration regulations.
We recognise the important role collaboration and partnership has in delivering education functions, but most crucially in raising overall standards, with the resulting provision offering the range and depth of curriculum choices essential for a fair and comprehensive education service in Wales.
We also note that guidance will be produced by the Welsh Government on collaboration in due course and that Governors Wales is also working on a Governor Guide on collaboration, due out this term. This will assist in promoting key collaboration/partnership opportunities.