Sixth form education in Arfon set for revamp
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Sixth form education in Arfon could be revamped as part of a major review into its future.
Gwynedd Council’s cabinet’s will be asked to launch a wholesale review of post-16 education and if alternatives to traditional school sixth forms should be implemented in the north of the county.
Other than Bala and wider Penllyn, Arfon is the only area within Gwynedd where post-16 education is provided at secondary schools, with 647 pupils across six schools..
For the past quarter of a century most schools in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd have not offered sixth form facilities, with pupils attending colleges such as Coleg Meirion Dwyfor’s campuses at Dolgellau and Pwllheli.
But while officers are adamant that no decisions have yet been made and are not financially driven, the review outlines challenges facing the current set-up in the more urbanised Arfon.
Among these is that only one of Arfon’s sixth forms meets the criteria that would deem it sustainable, with Bangor’s Ysgol Friars being the only one of six that has more than 150 pupils across years 12 and 13 (219).
Numbers at the remaining schools’ sixth forms varies from 118 at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, to just 56 and Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen and 79 at Ysgol Tryfan.
“Gwynedd is a rural county with a population demography who live in villages or small towns,” notes the post-16 education overview report.
“Ensuring a broad choice at individual schools, where learner numbers for some subjects are low, is an ongoing challenge.
“As all Arfon secondary schools are allowed to offer a minimum of six core A Level subjects, some subjects will be held with fewer than nine learners present.
“In 2017/18, 51% of core A Level subject classes in Arfon had fewer than nine learners. Within a year, the percentage of classes with nine or fewer learners has increased substantially.
“In 2018/19, 68% or all core courses have nine or fewer learners, this is an increase of 17% since 2017/18.”
But while Gwynedd Council has already submitted for up to £18m of Welsh Government 21st Century Schools funding towards revamping its sixth form offering – to ensure it does not miss out on the potential cash pot – the head of education was adamant they wanted to hold an “open conversation” on what would be the first look at the 40 year old system currently in place in Arfon.
“The report is making a case that there actually is a case for change,” said Garem Jackson, adding the need to ensure that the current provision was fit for purpose and equipping youngsters with the skills needed in the 21st century.
“It’s the cabinet’s job to decide if they agree, but the report doesn’t make any recommendations, only for us to engage stakeholders in that big and open conversation.
“There are many options possible and we have a good track record of working with schools to make our courses viable, so any changes will be made in full consultation with them, bearing in mind that the needs of learners are central to the whole process.”
Cllr Cemlyn Williams, the cabinet member for education, added: “We’re not talking about something that will happen overnight.
“The process of holding meetings will take place over 12 months, but who’s to say how long it will take?
“The important thing is that we reach the right decision and the provisions we’re able to offer our students will meet my ambition of every child in Gwynedd reaching their full potential.”
Gwynedd Council’s cabinet will discuss the report when it meets in Caernarfon next Tuesday, March 10.
By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter
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