Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: Estyn praise for Cardiff's Education Services; the construction of Fitzalan High School reaches new heights; and COVID-19 cases reported in Cardiff's schools in the last seven days. Plus, vaccination totals for Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan; and Cardiff's case and test numbers.

Estyn praise for Cardiff's Education Services

The quality of education children and young people receive in Cardiff's schools continues to improve year on year and is - in many instances - among the very best on offer in Wales, according to information published in the latest Estyn (Education Inspectorate for Wales) report.

The report, which was published by Estyn this week and is available here  , highlights the significant improvements noted by inspection teams, and praises Cardiff Council's work and its political leadership for driving change and dealing with the effects of the pandemic on the education system.

Estyn reported that:

• Senior leaders share a bold and ambitious vision for all learners, which they communicate clearly;
• Support for young people and their families is highly evident;
• The leader of the council, cabinet member and chief executive set out high expectations for officers, schools and other providers;
• Council support is well regarded by schools and setting leaders;
• Excellent judgements for standards in secondary schools are higher than those nationally;
• Outcomes for pupils that are eligible to free-school meals (efsm) have generally been above that of the same group nationally.
• The proportion of efsm pupils that achieve 5A/A* grades is notably higher than the national average;
• The Council has made good progress in ensuring that there are the right schools, of the right type and in the right places to meet the needs of their learners;
• Cardiff youth service provides high-quality provision in prioritised areas of the city; and
• Senior officers in education and health and safety aligned their work effectively throughout the pandemic.

Estyn has also asked the council to prepare three case studies:

• On the ground-breaking work it has carried out working with business to improve employment opportunities for young people (The Cardiff Commitment);
• On its support for children of asylum seekers; and,
• How it has set about transforming youth work.

The case studies will be used as examples of good practice on Estyn's website.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Education in Cardiff has come a long way over the past 10 years. When this administration took over in 2012 education services in the city were at a low ebb and in danger of going into special measures. We were determined to prioritise education and the future of our young people and it's fantastic to see that the hard work, determination and leadership to do better producing the results our children and young people deserve. Education in Cardiff has improved year after year under this administration. I am delighted that Estyn has recognised the tremendous efforts that have been put in across the board to ensure that progress and improvements have continued, especially over the past two years of the pandemic."

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/28469.html

The construction of Fitzalan High School reaches new heights

The brand-new home for Fitzalan High School has accomplished its topping out milestone, as construction reaches the highest point at the new school building in Leckwith.

Jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, the £64m scheme is the city's latest to be delivered under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

To mark the milestone, Cardiff Council's Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas and Cardiff's Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry were joined at the site of the new school by the Welsh Government's Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles MS.

Other guests included Fitzalan High School Chair of Governors Debbie Morgan, Fitzalan High School senior pupils Eshaan Rajesh & Maya Velani, New School Pupil Ambassadors Sasha McGonigle and Wasif Mahmood Jason Taylor Regional Director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, the contractor chosen to build the new school.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "Our £284m Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme is the greatest single investment in schools Cardiff has ever seenand in recent years three new, state of the art secondary schools have been delivered.

"Fitzalan High School looks set to follow in their success and I am pleased to see first-hand, the progress made on site despite the challenges of the last 18 months. 

"Our commitment to continue investing in schools and education across the city remains priority, providing young people with access to a good education,modern facilities and quality learning environmentsso that they can thrive andrealise their potential."

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/28479.html

COVID-19 Cases reported in Cardiff's schools in the last 7 days (28/01/22 to 03/02/22)

Total number reported = 517

• Pupils and students = 436
• Staff, including teaching staff = 81

Based on latest figures, there are just under 56,000 pupils and students enrolled at Cardiff's schools in total.

The total number of Cardiff schools staff, not including casual staff, is just over 7,300.

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Vaccination Status Update - 08 February

Data provided by CAVUHB

Based on the figures available at the time of publication.

Please note that there may be minor amendments to data as it is validated over time.

The total number of vaccination doses given by the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board so far, in both local authority areas:  1,074,604 (1^stDose: 401,066 2^ndDose: 374,908 3^rdDose: 8,036 Boosters: 290,483)

Cohort Data - Last updated: 07 February 2022

• 80 and over: 22,248 / 95% (1^stDose) 22,089 / 94.3% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 20,516 / 92.9% (Booster)
• 75-79: 16,782 / 96.5% (1^stDose) 16,669 / 95.9% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 15,456 / 92.7% (Booster)
• 70-74: 21,153 / 95.9% (1^stDose) 21,025 / 95.3% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 19,588 / 93.2% (Booster)
• 65-69: 22,740 / 94.2% (1^stDose) 22,498 / 93.2% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 20,741 / 92.2% (Booster)
• 60-64: 27,020 / 92.2% (1^stDose) 26,660 / 91% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 24,311 / 91.2% (Booster)
• 55-59: 29,697 / 90.2% (1^stDose) 29,235 / 88.8% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 26,357 / 90.2% (Booster)
• 50-54: 29,052 / 87.9% (1^stDose) 28,451 / 86.1% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 25,059 / 88.1% (Booster)
• 40-49: 56,558 / 81.9% (1^stDose) 54,801 / 79.3% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 45,490 / 83% (Booster)
• 30-39: 62,245 / 77.1% (1^stDose) 59,645 / 72.7% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 42,989 / 72.1% (Booster)
• 18-29: 82,296 / 79.2% (1^stDose) 75,136 / 71.4% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 46,235 / 61.5% (Booster)
• 16-17: 4,021 / 70.9% (1^stDose) 2,296 / 51.6% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 49 / 1.7% (Booster)
• 13-15: 13,758 / 56.5% (1^stDose) 7,954 / 32.7% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose)

• Severely Immuno-suppressed: 6,896 / 98% (1^stDose) 6,181 / 87.9% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 18 / 0.3% (Booster)
• Care home residents: 1,997 / 98.6% (1^stDose) 1,981 / 97.8% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 1,829 / 92.3% (Booster)
• Care Home Workers: 3,694 / 99% (1^stDose) 3,642 / 97.6% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 2,904 / 79.7% (Booster)
• Healthcare Workers: 27,163 / 98.2% (1^stDose) 26,901 / 97.2% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 24,180 / 89.9% (Booster)
• Social Care Workers**: 8,155 / 82.2% (Booster)
• Clinically extremely vulnerable: 10,787 / 94.7% (1^stDose) 10,626 / 93.3% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 6,120 / 57.6% (Booster)
• Underlying Health Conditions: 46,310 / 90.8% (1^stDose) 44,996 / 88.2% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 38,168 / 84.8% (Booster)
• Underlying Health Conditions (12-15): 649 / 62.5% (1^stDose) 464 / 44.7% (2^nd& 3^rd*Dose) 41 / 8.8% (Booster)
• Underlying Health Conditions (5-11): 445 / 32.3% (1^stDose)

*Those who have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses, with the exception of those who are severely immunosuppressed who are recommended three doses

**Data taken from an alternative source 

Cardiff Cases and Tests - 7 Days Data (31 January - 06 February 2022)

Based on latest figures from Public Health Wales

Data correct as of:

10 February 2022

Cases: 1,757

Cases per 100,000 population: 478.9 (Wales: 400.3 cases per 100,000 population)

Testing episodes: 4,888

Testing per 100,000 population: 1,332.2

Positive proportion: 35.9% (Wales: 31.2% positive proportion)