EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2018

The monthly meeting of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday, 19 September 2018.

The Committee were introduced to the new Math Advisory Teachers, Mr Charles Derick Bower and Mr Rex Andrew Pondsford. Both teachers shared their extensive experiences gained across many countries including Malaysia, Canada, Dominica, Nigeria, Botswana, China and the UK.

Dr Julia Cave Smith was also introduced having taken up a local post as an English teacher. She shared her work experiences across many continents, which involved teaching, teacher training, consulting for the British Council, and various charity work.

Likely demands for scholarship funding in 2019-2022 was presented and it was requested to consider future funding requirements for overseas scholarships. It was noted that the establishment of the Scholarship Trust would impact greatly on the planning of future funding requirements and it was agreed that the matter would be revisited during the budgeting process.

Members were presented and requested to consider the proposed guidance for funding degree level and PGCE study by prospective or serving teachers. The Committee noted some amendments to the document and requested further work in considering an appeals process for this purpose.

The Director presented the Committee with the Primary School Assessment Results for the School Year 2017/18.

The performance and progress achieved by the students in Key Stage 2 (Year 6) over the 2017/18 school year is reflected using the metric of ‘Age Related Expectations’ in line with the English National Curriculum which was introduced in St Helena Schools in 2016. For the first time this year all end-of-year testing was conducted in each of the primary schools and all tests were administered by the Assistant Director of Schools. The report highlighted rising scores in English and Mathematics across the primary sector. The Open Report reflecting the detailed results has been made available on the SHG website via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/education-committee/.

The Head Teacher of Prince Andrew School presented the Secondary Results for the School Year 2017/18.

Among this year’s achievements was the first group of students being examined in the WJEC Level1/2 Award in Hospitality and Catering. The report also noted a dramatic improvement in Science results.

The report reflecting details of secondary attainment (GCSE) as well as A Level Results is also available on the SHG website via the aforementioned link.

Finally, the Committee was provided with an update on the apprenticeship budget and were pleased that applications had been received with interest in training across various sectors including Hospitality, Health, IT and Finance.

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SHG
3 October 2018

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