Chief Inspector calls on schools to take a fresh look at teaching and learning
The report highlights a number of excellent schools, but there are others that are not keeping up with increasing expectations.
Chief Inspector Meilyr Rowlands says,
"There is a big difference between the best schools and those that are struggling. To close the gap with the best, schools need to continue to focus on the basics and also take a fresh look at teaching and learning experiences – what is taught, and how it is taught and assessed. Teachers and leaders need to be imaginative in the classroom and embrace the challenge to share and learn from the best. Many of the best schools are in relatively poor areas, so economic deprivation is not a reason for lower standards.
“All leaders and teachers should ask themselves whether their school has sound foundations in place and whether they are fully prepared for future changes and challenges in Welsh education. In my Annual Report, they will find twelve questions to consider on teaching and learning focusing on areas ranging from the development needs of staff to the assessment of pupils.”
The Annual Report highlights schools which are leading the way, especially those which are successfully preparing for changes that the new curriculum will bring. Bishop Gore School’s 11-14 year-olds have flourished thanks to their innovative redesign of the curriculum model which encourages skills from specific subjects to be applied to projects across various themes.
Another school which has seen the benefits of taking a bold approach to teaching and learning is St Gwladys Bargoed Primary School which has used drama to engage pupils emotionally and intellectually in the classroom. Combined with the use of digital tablets to record drama activities, this approach has improved attainment, especially that of boys.
Meilyr Rowlands continues,
“Delivering teaching and learning experiences that will ensure pupils are fully engaged in learning and prepared to lead fulfilling lives should be at the heart of every school.”
The Chief Inspector’s Annual Report also includes an overview of all inspections of education and training providers from the academic year 2014-15. Accompanying the report on the Estyn website, is a new data website for those working in education which can filter and export all inspection findings published since 2010-11.
Notes to Editors
The report will be published at: https://www.estyn.gov.wales/annual-report
The data website is at: http://data.estyn.gov.wales
Best practice case studies:
Anglesey
Ysgol Y Graig
Caerphilly
St Gwladys Bargoed School
Cardiff
Rhiwbeina Primary
Howell’s School
Carmarthenshire
Llanmiloe Primary
B-wbl
Ceredigion
Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi
Conwy
Ysgol Glan Gele
Denbighshire
Pengwern College
Powys
Gladestry C.I.W. School
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Ysgol Hen Felin
Swansea
Bishop Gore Comprehensive
Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr
Torfaen
Crownbridge Special School
Vale of Glamorgan
Romilly Community Primary School
Stanwell Comprehensive
Wrexham
Borras Park Infants School
South East Centre of Teacher Education and Training