The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting focused on updates regarding school budgets, the annual education performance report, and investment in the education estate. Key decisions included agreeing to undertake an engagement exercise on the sustainable growth of Welsh-medium secondary education and to proceed with the federation of St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School with The Saints Federation.

School Budgets Update

The committee received an update on school budgets, noting that while the overall predicted cumulative deficit for schools by the end of March 2026 is £2.2 million, this represents a £6 million improvement on previous predictions. However, schools are still collectively spending £10 million over budget annually. Factors contributing to deficits include increasing complexity of additional learning needs (ALN), decreasing pupil numbers affecting funding, and higher teacher pay scales. Officers highlighted that the ALN inclusion strategy and the expansion of specialist ALN places are expected to alleviate some financial pressures on mainstream schools. The council is also reviewing the school funding formula for 2026-27 to better reflect changes in need and demand.

Annual Education Performance Report 2024-2025

The committee reviewed the annual education performance report, which indicated strong performance at Key Stage 3 and 4, with attendance rising and exclusions falling in secondary schools, though pressures are emerging in primary schools. Challenges include the persistent disadvantage gap and an unexpected decline in girls' Key Stage 4 attendance and performance. New school improvement arrangements are being implemented, with a focus on equity, excellence, and well-being. The report also highlighted an increase in the number of pupils being taught at home, a trend the council is working to reduce. Further briefings are planned on attendance strategies and the performance of children looked after.

Annual Investment in the Education Estate

An update was provided on the annual investment in the education estate, highlighting the completion of the first net-zero carbon school buildings at Fairwater Campus and progress on replacing schools with condition D ratings. Significant investment is continuing in existing school buildings, alongside plans for accelerated ALN expansion. The report acknowledged the complexities of declining birth rates impacting school place planning and the rising demand for specialist ALN provision. The council is managing a significant programme of delivery for the year ahead, balancing investment successes with ongoing challenges.

Engagement on Sustainable Growth of Welsh Medium Secondary Education

The committee discussed the need for engagement on the sustainable growth of Welsh-medium secondary education. There is a projected shortfall in Welsh-medium secondary school places for a couple of years, and a need to address the geographical distribution of existing schools, which are historically concentrated in the north and east of the city. The council plans to undertake an engagement exercise to explore options for both temporary measures to accommodate a bulge in intake in 2027/28 and long-term strategic changes to expand Welsh-medium provision. This engagement will canvas options such as expanding existing sites, relocating schools, establishing new schools, or introducing Welsh language provision within English-medium schools.

St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School to the Saints Federation (Consultation Output Report)

The committee received a briefing on the consultation process regarding the proposal to add St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School to The Saints Federation. The consultation received 49 responses, with 59.2% supportive of the proposal. Supporters cited benefits such as improved leadership, teaching and learning, school-to-school support, and curriculum enrichment. Concerns raised included the need for a full-time headteacher at St Mellons, potential communication issues, changes to school ethos, and the size of the federated organisation. The council noted that the federation model would not change the individual schools' ethos, budget, or admissions, and that a new, enlarged governing body would be established.

Way Forward

The committee discussed the Way Forward for future scrutiny, identifying several areas for further investigation. These included the cost of surplus school places, the sustainability of delegated school budgets, the impact of the inclusion strategy, the role of the virtual headteacher, the monitoring of electively home-educated children, and the geographical breakdown of attendance and exclusion data. The committee also requested further details on the cost of vocational versus academic study and the potential impact on school budgets. The council agreed to provide further reports and briefings on these topics.