School size and educational effectiveness - December 2013
This report is published in response to a request for advice from the Welsh Government in the annual remit letter to Estyn for 2012-2013 from the Minister for Education and Skills. Estyn has previously reported to the Welsh Government on small primary schools, in a report which was published in 2006. This report updates the findings in that report and has a broader scope.
The report looks at the educational effectiveness of small, medium-sized and large schools based on inspection findings from the current cycle of inspections (2010 2013) and on examination and assessment results. It looks at the outcomes, provision and leadership of schools of different sizes and focuses on the inspection quality indicators relating to standards, wellbeing, learning experiences, teaching, leadership and quality improvement.
There are several factors that can influence school performance in addition to school size. Deprivation is one important factor that can affect school performance and we consider its impact in this report.
The report is intended as a discussion paper for the Welsh Government, local authorities and headteachers and staff in schools.