Thematic report |
The impact of advisory teachers on funded non-maintained settings - May 2015
This report is published in response to a request for advice from the Welsh Government in the Minister’s annual remit letter to Estyn for 2014-2015. The report examines the impact of advisory teachers on funded non-maintained settings. The report includes case studies of best practice illustrating the impact of advisory teachers. Three appendices cover a detailed evidence base for the report, current arrangements for supporting and challenging non-maintained settings and a checklist for advisory visits to settings.
Recommendations
Advisory teachers should:
- provide settings with a suitable level of challenge and ensure that visits and training are focused on improving children’s standards
- continue supporting leadership and management but do more to model effective practice in the classroom and share new ideas with practitoners
- keep up-to-date with changes in education that affect settings
Local authorities and regional consortia should:
- provide all settings with 10% of advisory teacher time and ensure that advisory teachers visit settings regularly
- make sure that both Welsh and English-medium settings receive support and training in the language in which they operate
- monitor the work of advisory teachers and ensure that their training needs are identified and met
- work together and with voluntary organisations to ensure that settings receive comprehensive, joined-up support, particularly in relation to additional learning needs and safeguarding
- hold funded voluntary organisations to account for the quality of their advice and guidance
- ensure that as many non-maintained practitioners as possible can attend training
- consider appointing advisory teachers for a fixed term to refresh the service they can offer
The Welsh Government should:
- consider ring-fencing funding to ensure that all settings receive 10% support from a qualified teacher and regular training in addition to this
- create a network for advisory teachers to share information and best practice