The impact of changes to regulations on the cycle of inspections
Last year the Welsh Government and Estyn undertook a series of consultations during February and May on proposed changes to Estyn’s inspection cycles. Read more >
Access to coaching and careers advice benefits 14-16 year-olds
Pupils aged 14-16 have benefited from a wider choice of subjects and more learning support since the introduction of a learning pathways framework five years ago. Attendance, behaviour and performance have improved, especially for pupils who face the greatest barriers to learning, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with special educational needs. Read more >
Chief Inspector's Annual Report highlights challenges for education and training in Wales
Standards of education in Wales have not improved in the main, according to the Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training 2012-2013. However, some sectors such as special and independent schools are maintaining their high performance. Read more >
Estyn publishes secondary school improvement strategies
All schools in Wales have the potential to improve the education they offer, but different schools may need different strategies, according to Estyn, depending on their stage of development. Read more >
Tackling poverty is still not a high enough priority for schools
Although many schools are aware of the importance of improving the standards and wellbeing of disadvantaged pupils, addressing poverty is still not a high enough priority for schools across Wales. Read more >
Children in the Foundation Phase make good progress with learning Welsh in Welsh-medium schools and settings
More than four fifths of children aged 3 to 7 years old are making good progress in learning Welsh as a first language in Welsh-medium schools and non-maintained settings, according to a report published today by Estyn. Read more >
Secondary schools need to raise standards in mathematics
Mathematics is the lowest performing core subject at key stage 4 in Wales and is proportionately the lowest when compared with the rest of the UK, according to an Estyn report published today. Read more >
Construction industry training should focus more on labour market needs
Training courses in construction, planning and the built environment need to get better at meeting the demands of today’s Welsh economy in order to benefit learners and local employers. Read more >
Pupil progress in Wales hampered by teacher absence
Reports issued by Wales Audit Office and Estyn highlight increasing reliance on support and cover staff in the classroom. Read more >
Standards in pupils' ICT skills good or better in half of primary schools
Today, Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, publishes ’The impact of ICT on pupils' learning in primary schools’, the first of two reports on surveys of standards in ICT in primary and secondary schools in Wales examines the impact of ICT on pupils’ learning across the primary school curriculum. Read more >