The inspectorate for education and training in Wales said that many schools were aware of the need to address inequalities and improve the well-being of disadvantaged pupils, but such work was not a sufficiently high priority for schools. The report highlighted areas of good practice, such as a dedicated member of staff to co-ordinate the work of multiple agencies, and the use of a family nurture room within school. Recommendations for schools, local authorities and consortia included: that schools work to develop a common approach; and for schools to work with other agencies to involve families in school life.
Source: Working Together to Tackle the Impact of Poverty on Educational Achievement, Estyn
Links: Report | Estyn press release
Date: 2013-Dec
The Welsh Government began consultation on proposals to revise the curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. The consultation focussed on literacy, numeracy and wider skills and would close on 17 January 2014.
Source: Curriculum for Wales: Consultation on proposals for revised curriculum and assessment arrangements for Wales – Phase 1: Literacy, numeracy and wider skills, Welsh Government
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2013-Oct
An article examined variations in educational policy and performance across the different countries of the United Kingdom. There was considerable variation in child development between countries, with no single story of 'success'. But literacy development among children in England (particularly London) was, on average, greater than for children elsewhere.
Source: Chris Taylor, Gareth Rees, and Rhys Davies, 'Devolution and geographies of education: the use of the Millennium Cohort Study for "home international" comparisons across the UK', Comparative Education, Volume 49 Issue 3
Links: Abstract | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2013-Sep
The Welsh Government published a 10-year plan designed to close the gap between the most and least disadvantaged children, focusing on children s and family services for children aged 0-7. It promised more support and encouragement for parents to be involved in their children s learning, and the development of a more consistent approach to tracking a child s development.
Source: Building a Brighter Future: Early years and childcare plan, Welsh Government
Links: Plan | Welsh Government press release | CLS press release
Date: 2013-Jul
The Welsh Government published the report of an independent review of the future structure of education services in Wales. The review recommended the development of regional consortia as a way to tackle issues relating to resources, capacity, and outcomes. Regional consortia could release resources through economies of scale, and help the provision of high-quality support services to schools. The Welsh Government began consultation on the recommendations.
Source: Robert Hill Consulting, The Future Delivery of Education Services in Wales, Welsh Government
Links: Review report | Welsh Government press release | Consultation document | ASCL press release | WLGA press release
Date: 2013-Jun
An article examined the education reforms of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, with particular focus on value for money. It examined how the countries compared in terms of educational attainment during compulsory schooling years; inequalities in educational attainment, such as by gender and socio-economic status; and the effectiveness and value for money of different education policies and programmes. Evidence was found that increasing school resources improved results, and also that more targeted spending benefited able pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although the value for money of certain policies – such as the literacy hour – could be reasonably well measured, for many other policies it was hard to do so accurately.
Source: Stephen Machin, Sandra McNally, and Gill Wyness, 'Educational attainment across the UK nations: performance, inequality and evidence', Educational Research, Volume 55 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jun
The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 was given Royal assent. The Act provided for a range of measures designed to strengthen school standards and reduce complexity and bureaucracy in the education system. There would be a clearer process for school intervention through the introduction of statutory guidance. The statutory process for school organization would be reformed so that decisions were taken locally wherever possible.
Source: School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, Welsh Government, TSO
Links: Act | Explanatory notes | Welsh Government press release
Date: 2013-Mar
A report said that Welsh education policy should emphasize parental involvement, extra-curricular activities, and mentoring in order to tackle educational inequalities.
Source: David Egan, Poverty and Low Educational Achievement in Wales: Student, family and community interventions, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report | Summary | Bevan Foundation blog post
Date: 2013-Feb
The Welsh Government announced that it 'broadly accepted' all the recommendations made in an independent review of secondary school qualifications. GCSEs and A-levels would be retained in Wales, alongside a revised, and more rigorous, Welsh baccalaureate.
Source: Press release 29 January 2013, Welsh Government
Links: Welsh Government press release | NASUWT press release | Voice blog post | BBC report | Guardian report
Notes: GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education; A = Advanced.
See also: Review report (November 2012)
Date: 2013-Jan
