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Estyn: Welsh pupils behind rest of UK in English lessons Estyn: Welsh pupils behind rest of UK in English lessons
(about 2 hours later)
Pupils in Wales continue to lag behind the rest of the UK in English lessons despite improvements, say inspectors. Pupils in Wales are being taught how to write stories but not how to fill out application forms, inspectors found.
More teaching of practical writing skills is needed, says a report by Estyn, which found a significant minority of schools have pupils who do not read or write well enough. A report by Estyn found pupils continue to lag behind the rest of the UK in English lessons despite improvements.
There are concerns about the standards of spelling, grammar and punctuation in English classes. There were concerns about the standards of spelling, grammar and punctuation in English classes and it was found that some schools had pupils who could not read or write well enough.
But the majority achieved good standards in spoken English. More practical writing skills lessons is needed say inspectors.
Pupils aged seven to 14 are also still struggling to play catch-up with their peers in other parts of the UK, the education inspection body says. However they also said the majority of pupils achieved good standards in spoken English.
Children can write stories in class but are struggling to fill in job applications. The education inspection body carried out inspections in a sample of 20 primary and secondary schools.
It found that pupils aged seven to 14 were also struggling to keep up with their peers in other parts of the UK.
The report, which makes 11 recommendations for improvement, also found:The report, which makes 11 recommendations for improvement, also found:
The inspections took place in a sample of 20 primary and secondary schools.
"Their written work is often short, featuring a narrow range of styles and purposes, and has too many punctuation and spelling errors," said the report."Their written work is often short, featuring a narrow range of styles and purposes, and has too many punctuation and spelling errors," said the report.
Wendy Young, report author, said it chimed with what employers had been saying about some pupils not being equipped with basic reading and writing skills.Wendy Young, report author, said it chimed with what employers had been saying about some pupils not being equipped with basic reading and writing skills.
"We found teachers are focusing too much on story-writing, on fiction, when it's important to make sure pupils have skills in writing which will equip them for not only college but work and everyday life," she told BBC Wales."We found teachers are focusing too much on story-writing, on fiction, when it's important to make sure pupils have skills in writing which will equip them for not only college but work and everyday life," she told BBC Wales.
"They need to have those practical writing skills so they can fill in a job application or mortgage application.""They need to have those practical writing skills so they can fill in a job application or mortgage application."
There have long been concerns at pupils' performance falling behind the rest of the UK in the international Pisa tests when Wales ranked 41 in reading out of 68 countries.There have long been concerns at pupils' performance falling behind the rest of the UK in the international Pisa tests when Wales ranked 41 in reading out of 68 countries.
Ministers introduced what they called "clear, consistent and rigorous" new tests last year to try to drive up standards.Ministers introduced what they called "clear, consistent and rigorous" new tests last year to try to drive up standards.
"Inaccuracies in spelling, punctuation and grammar reduce the quality of writing and affect standards," said Estyn's chief inspector Ann Keane."Inaccuracies in spelling, punctuation and grammar reduce the quality of writing and affect standards," said Estyn's chief inspector Ann Keane.
Education Minister Huw Lewis said the challenge was now to raise standards across the board.Education Minister Huw Lewis said the challenge was now to raise standards across the board.
He added: "We recognise however that improvements need to be made, particularly in relation to standards of writing and the performance of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.He added: "We recognise however that improvements need to be made, particularly in relation to standards of writing and the performance of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"Estyn's comments about poor quality marking and feedback also need to be addressed. This is not good enough and has to change.""Estyn's comments about poor quality marking and feedback also need to be addressed. This is not good enough and has to change."
Shadow Conservative education minister Angela Burns said: "Clear inequalities remain rife - and the gap with other parts of the UK is nothing short of a tragedy.Shadow Conservative education minister Angela Burns said: "Clear inequalities remain rife - and the gap with other parts of the UK is nothing short of a tragedy.
"While any improvement must be praised, this report highlights yet more concerns for our children and we expect Labour ministers to act on it.""While any improvement must be praised, this report highlights yet more concerns for our children and we expect Labour ministers to act on it."