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Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales 2011- 2012

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Strong leadership at all levels is key to improving standards of education and training in Wales, according to Ann Keane, Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.

In the Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training 2011-2012 published today, Ann Keane reports that, in the schools inspected this year, the proportion awarded good or excellent judgements is a little lower than it was last year. In secondary schools, there are more schools at the extremes of excellent or unsatisfactory performance. Primary and special schools do better than secondary schools. And, in other sectors, standards remain variable.

There are strengths in many aspects of provision – in the Foundation Phase and the Welsh Baccalaureate – and in many individual schools and providers. Wellbeing is a strength across sectors although attendance rates are the weakest aspect of wellbeing.

Ann Keane said,

“Changes to our inspection framework, in particular the introduction of follow-up inspections, have succeeded in helping to improve the quality of provision.

“Last year, we identified that nearly half of the schools and providers we inspected required a return visit to check on progress. This year, when we followed up, we found that most of the schools had acted on our recommendations and made enough progress not to require another visit. In returning to post-16 providers, we also saw improvements in adult community learning and Welsh for adults.

“Around half of the schools we inspected this year require a follow-up visit next year as will five out of the eight local authorities inspected.”

The report highlights that standards of writing remain a concern across all sectors and children are making too many errors in spelling, punctuation and letter formation.

Ms Keane continues:

“A number of aspects continue to cause concern, including standards in reading, writing and numeracy. Schools need to get better at planning ways for pupils to improve their skills in literacy and numeracy across all areas of learning.”

The quality of leadership is variable across all sectors. While the report celebrates the good practice that exists, Ann Keane notes that there is still much to be done to improve education and training in Wales.

Ms Keane continues:

“While a majority of teachers and schools have high expectations, in a minority of primary schools and over half of secondary schools, some teachers’ expectations are too low.

“It is in the capacity and quality of leadership that the remedy lies. By this I mean the leadership offered not only by headteachers, principals and local authority chief education officers, but also by teachers, learning support assistants, learning coaches and everyone involved in delivering education and training in Wales.

“Over the next twelve months, I would encourage all leaders, including teachers and other practitioners, to read my Annual Report and use the findings and examples of best practice to think about how they can address challenges and make further improvements.

“This year, we have also produced PowerPoint packages which are available on the Estyn website and can be used by schools and providers to stimulate discussion about some of the issues I have raised in my Annual Report.”

 

Notes to Editors:

A full copy of the Annual Report 2011-2012 and a webcast from Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is published on the Estyn website.

Estyn is the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales. Our aim is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales. We do this by providing an independent, high-quality inspection and advice service.

Our vision is to be recognised through the expertise of our staff as an authoritative voice on learning in Wales.

We are independent from, but funded by the Welsh Government (under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998).

 

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