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Our support for Welsh education and training in the current climate
Advice and guidance for government
Our aim in Estyn is to support Welsh education and training as a whole – schools, non-maintained settings, teachers, senior leaders, learners, parents, post-16 providers and others – by providing the government with our independent and objective evidence and advice.
As you know, we suspended all core inspection and other visits as soon as we could. Currently, we’re keeping in touch with education and training providers through phone and video calls and will continue to do this for the time being. It’s been really helpful to hear from schools and others about how they are supporting the wellbeing of learners and staff and how they are dealing with the current challenges.
We’ve also redeployed staff to Welsh Government and have supported the government’s continuity of learning for children and young people project.
Learning from what works well
We will not inspect maintained schools next academic year (September 2020 – July 2021). Once schools have readjusted to the new situation, our inspectors will visit to listen to concerns and to identify what is working well.
The conversations we’re currently having with schools and our future engagement visits are to gain a national picture. It's not to judge the approaches of individual schools, but to gather intelligence on the education system as a whole, and to gauge the immediate and longer-term impact of the coronavirus crisis on learning and on the wellbeing of pupils and staff.
They’ll also be an opportunity to capture and share innovative and effective practice.
Follow-up activity
We will not be continuing with formal monitoring visits for schools and other providers in follow-up. Although a few would like us to do so, we do not think this is appropriate under the current circumstances.
We have already been in touch with providers currently identified as causing concern to explain what will happen next and to offer the support of an individual HMI.
Listening and adapting
These are uncertain times, and we’re committed to being supportive and flexible in how we carry out our role at the moment.
We will work with stakeholders from sectors other than maintained schools on how we will adapt our arrangements for them for the coming year.
We will adapt as the situation develops and keep you fully informed of our intentions.
Stay safe and stay learning.
Article comments
I am a Governor of a High School in Denbighshire. Could you tell me if there is any guidance that Estyn has given regarding Governor involvement during this period? Or examples of good practice? I believe that this is a time for governors to really step up to the mark, and to re-look at their roles. I believe that it is time to explore ways that they can support pupils now and in the longer term future. Things will be different and in many ways this offers wonderful opportunities. It could also help us to be more helpful to offer critical guidance to those managing change. Some governors like myself are shielding due to health reasons but still feel the responsibility for the happiness, well-being of pupils. I believe there is real urgency to prioritise ways of listenIng to each and every one of our pupils and learn from them how they best learn and thrive during this uncertain time. I believe that this investment will show us creative and truly child centred ways of learning. A wonderful resource on which to build. Finally my role is as a community Governor and if ever each child’s home environment, neighbourhood, lifestyle and friendships are important it is now. Apologies for the long essay but I would greatly appreciate an opportunity to discuss the above with you. Sincerely Laraine Bruce MBE
Hi Laraine, thanks for your comment. We’re glad we were able to call you to discuss. Anyone who’d like more information should read the specific advice for Governors on page eight of this document: "Advice for school and PRU leaders and governors on how to continue with school and PRU business during the COVID-19 pandemic" which can be downloaded here: https://www.estyn.gov.wales/document/advice-school-and-pru-leaders-and-governors-how-continue-school-and-pru-business
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