Post-16 Education

Reporting on the Informal Consultation held during Autumn 2020

The Cabinet in its meeting on 7 March 2023 permitted further work with stakeholders forming the Gwynedd and Anglesey post-16 Education Consortium to develop possible models for the post-16 education in Arfon. New factors need to be considered since the original discussions were held and so the intention is to proceed immediately with the work of looking at the current system and key considerations in order to strengthen the post-16 provision in Arfon. 

 

Post-16 Education in Arfon Engagement 

We are keen to hear your views on the post-16 education system in Arfon, to see how we can secure a future post-16 education system that offers fair equity and support to all young people to succeed and fulfill their potential. 

 

Background

The landscape for post-16 education in Wales is changing. Gwynedd Council is therefore keen to consider whether there is scope to improve provision in Arfon.

The aim of this work is to see how a future post-16 education system can be secured which will offer fairness and strong support to all young people to enable them to succeed and fulfil their potential.

Garem Jackson, Gwynedd Council's Head of Education, said:

“There has been no significant change in the pattern of post-16 education in the Arfon area for some time. With the landscape of post-16 education changing across Wales, it is therefore timely for us to take a step back to see if the current situation fully meets the needs of our young people.

“By conducting an open conversation we are keen to see what aspects of the current system are working well and what we can do better to achieve an innovative system that offers the best for all learners.

 “Above all, we want to find an answer to the question 'what needs to be done to ensure that this system in Gwynedd enables all our learners to fulfil their potential?'.”

Councillor Cemlyn Rees Williams, Gwynedd Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said:

“Our vision is to have a post-16 education system that truly meets the needs of all our learners.

“Of course, in normal times, face-to-face meetings would be held, but despite the current situation we are planning to hold virtual meetings so that we can come together on the web to discuss and brainstorm ideas for the benefit of our young people.

"We want to have an open conversation to see what the young people of the area have to say, and we also want to hear the views of parents, staff, governors and anyone with an interest in the sector.

"Our aim is to hold virtual sessions with learners, parents, staff and governors over the coming weeks to give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask any questions."

 

The informal engagement process

The purpose of this informal engagement is to give all stakeholders and the public the opportunity to submit comments and ideas about the post-16 education system in Arfon, within the context of the Council's vision and objectives (link).

In order to support the engagement, it is intended to hold virtual meetings with learners, parents, staff and governors during the period to give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask any questions about the field. More information about the virtual sessions will be available soon.

The deadline for submitting comments is Tuesday, 22 December 2020

 

How to take part?

If you would like to contribute to the engagement process, please download the response form, complete and return by Tuesday 22 December 2020 to:

  • E-mail: ol16@gwynedd.llyw.cymru 
  • Post:
    Modernising Education Office
    Gwynedd Council
    Shirehall Street
    Caernarfon
    Gwynedd
    LL55 1SH 

We also welcome general comments or ideas regarding the Post 16 Education system in Arfon. You can e-mail your comments to: ol16@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or by post to:

Modernising Education Office
Gwynedd Council
Shirehall Street
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL55 1SH

 

Background documents

Children and young adults' versions

With the Welsh Government's expectations changing for post-16 education, Gwynedd Council is eager to consider whether there is scope to improve the provision in the Arfon area of the county.

A report that will be considered by Gwynedd Council's Cabinet on 10 March asks for the right to begin local discussions in the summer term 2020. This would include a series of working groups with representation from Arfon's post-16 education stakeholders, including governors, headteachers, teachers and learners.

The aim of this work will be to see how a post-16 education system can be secured in the future which will offer fairness and strong support to every young person in the county to succeed and achieve their potential.

Garem Jackson, Gwynedd Council's Head of Education, said:

“There has been no significant change in the pattern of post-16 education in the Arfon area for 40 years. With the landscape of post-16 education changing across Wales, it is therefore timely for us to take a step back to see if the current situation fully meets the needs of our young people. 

“By conducting an open conversation, we want to see what aspects of the current system are working well and what we can do better to ensure an innovative system that offers the best for all learners.

"Above all, we want to find an answer to the question 'what needs to be done to ensure that the system in Gwynedd enables all our learners to fulfil their potential?’.”


More information: