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School teaching standards 'need to rise', Estyn says School teaching standards 'need to rise', Estyn says
(about 1 hour later)
The quality of teaching in Wales needs to improve if overall standards in schools are to have any chance of increasing, inspectors have said.The quality of teaching in Wales needs to improve if overall standards in schools are to have any chance of increasing, inspectors have said.
Estyn's annual report raises concerns about the "variable" quality of teaching and standards generally, especially in secondary schools.Estyn's annual report raises concerns about the "variable" quality of teaching and standards generally, especially in secondary schools.
It said standards in primary schools were similar to last year.It said standards in primary schools were similar to last year.
The Welsh government said it was continuing to work on key areas such as teaching, literacy and numeracy.The Welsh government said it was continuing to work on key areas such as teaching, literacy and numeracy.
"Fewer than half of secondary schools are good or better [compared to the previous year] and the proportion that is unsatisfactory has increased from one in seven to one in four," the report said."Fewer than half of secondary schools are good or better [compared to the previous year] and the proportion that is unsatisfactory has increased from one in seven to one in four," the report said.
"One in seven is excellent. Over two-thirds of secondary schools will be monitored in 'follow-up' visits.""One in seven is excellent. Over two-thirds of secondary schools will be monitored in 'follow-up' visits."
Ann Keane, the chief inspector of schools, told BBC Wales that other countries were improving at a faster pace than Wales and standards here were not yet showing "an upward trend".Ann Keane, the chief inspector of schools, told BBC Wales that other countries were improving at a faster pace than Wales and standards here were not yet showing "an upward trend".
"There is a correlation between high standards and two factors; strong leadership and high standards in the core subject departments," she said."There is a correlation between high standards and two factors; strong leadership and high standards in the core subject departments," she said.
"We need to pay more attention on how to help teachers move forwards."We need to pay more attention on how to help teachers move forwards.
"There is a curriculum review going on now and we're going to have new GCSEs in numeracy and language."There is a curriculum review going on now and we're going to have new GCSEs in numeracy and language.
"Teachers need to be involved in preparation for these changes.""Teachers need to be involved in preparation for these changes."
The report said standards in primary schools were similar to last year.The report said standards in primary schools were similar to last year.
'Stagnating''Stagnating'
"Seven in 10 primary schools inspected in 2012-2013 are good and around one in four is adequate. Although only one is unsatisfactory, very few are excellent," it said."Seven in 10 primary schools inspected in 2012-2013 are good and around one in four is adequate. Although only one is unsatisfactory, very few are excellent," it said.
"Around a half of the primary schools inspected will be monitored in 'follow-up' visits.""Around a half of the primary schools inspected will be monitored in 'follow-up' visits."
Angela Burns AM, the Conservatives' shadow minister for education, said standards had been "stagnating" under 15 years of Labour being responsible for schools in Wales.Angela Burns AM, the Conservatives' shadow minister for education, said standards had been "stagnating" under 15 years of Labour being responsible for schools in Wales.
"This report is yet another damning indictment of Labour's mismanagement of the Welsh education system, where a quarter of secondary schools are unsatisfactory and two-thirds are in need of further inspections," she said."This report is yet another damning indictment of Labour's mismanagement of the Welsh education system, where a quarter of secondary schools are unsatisfactory and two-thirds are in need of further inspections," she said.
"The Welsh education system has been the subject of numerous scathing reports and two sets of disappointing PISA results showing Wales dropping down international league tables alongside countries which have recently experienced civil wars.""The Welsh education system has been the subject of numerous scathing reports and two sets of disappointing PISA results showing Wales dropping down international league tables alongside countries which have recently experienced civil wars."
Plaid Cymru education spokesman Simon Thomas said his party believed "the best way to raise the attainment of each child is through early intervention - teachers and support staff working with each child individually, monitoring their development and intervening when a child needs help".Plaid Cymru education spokesman Simon Thomas said his party believed "the best way to raise the attainment of each child is through early intervention - teachers and support staff working with each child individually, monitoring their development and intervening when a child needs help".
Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat education spokesman, called it "sombre reading".
"The report highlights what a difference good teachers and sound leadership can make to a school, but also points out that there are not enough opportunities for heads or senior leaders to receive the training they need to improve their leadership skills and this is something I will be taking up with the minister," he said.
The Welsh government said it was determined to "put the right policies and initiatives in place to create an education system that truly delivers for our young people".The Welsh government said it was determined to "put the right policies and initiatives in place to create an education system that truly delivers for our young people".
A spokesperson said: "We've been honest and up-front about the challenges facing our education system and it's clear from this report that we must continue to work together to improve key areas such as teaching, assessment and literacy and numeracy.A spokesperson said: "We've been honest and up-front about the challenges facing our education system and it's clear from this report that we must continue to work together to improve key areas such as teaching, assessment and literacy and numeracy.
"Building an excellent education system, which is the ambition of everyone in the sector, will take time but we are not complacent and we are making progress."Building an excellent education system, which is the ambition of everyone in the sector, will take time but we are not complacent and we are making progress.
"We know there is a lot of good practice across Wales and, as last year's GCSE results showed, we are closing the gap with England when it comes to performance.""We know there is a lot of good practice across Wales and, as last year's GCSE results showed, we are closing the gap with England when it comes to performance."
But Owen Hathway, Wales Policy Officer at NUT Cymru, said there were concerns that there was not time or resources for continued professional development.
"That obviously has a long-term impact on the ability of the profession to keep pace with the changes brought in by the Welsh government but also in developing their professional skills as an ongoing practice," he said.
"There isn't enough time allocated to allow teacher to go on courses to have training for policies and initiatives that are brought in to get to grips with those in addition to existing work loads.
"Of course we do know that peer to peer support within schools and across schools is one of the vital drivers in performance and unfortunately I think schools feel as if there's a sense of a DIY approach to training and unless they find the money and time themselves to do it, it doesn't get done."
But Helen Coulson, head teacher at Fairwater High school in Cwmbran, said: "I don't think it's teacher bashing at all.
"We go into the profession, we know what it entails and we're paid a reasonable salary for it. You don't have to stay in the profession if you don't want to.
"I think good teachers have the personal drive and ambition and want to do well for those pupils."