Welsh Government
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Action plan to address attendance and behaviour launched
Called, Behaving and Attending, the plan is the response to the National Behaviour and Attendance Review (NBAR) which was published in May 2008 by Professor Ken Reid and his independent Review Group.
The Action Plan will shape the direction and pace of Assembly Government policy, impacting on the lives of children and young people by putting in place new approaches and processes promoting positive behaviour and attendance and developing a consistent approach across Wales.
Behaving and Attending recognises that there are a number of actions which need to be implemented to improve behaviour and attendance - from raising levels of literacy among young people, to better training for teaching professionals. The plan also emphasises the important role that parents have to play in working with schools, local authorities and the local communities to improving how young people behave in Wales.
Speaking at Fitzalan High School in Cardiff the Jane Hutt said:
We want to see all of our young people in Wales fully benefit from their education and reach their full potential.
By giving children the best possible start in life we can ensure they have successful futures. One of our key priorities is improving levels of literacy, as recommended by the independent review group, to ensure that every child can succeed. Educational achievement often leads to good employment opportunities in the future and also ensure that young people aren’t culturally and socially excluded.
The plan stresses the important role that schools and local authorities have in identifying behaviour and attendance issues. Early intervention is essential to make sure that quality support is available to avoid disengagement and loss of self esteem.
Parents also have an integral part to play in supporting and encouraging their children. As part of the action plan we want schools to continue to strengthen links with families to ensure that the necessary support is available should a child have behavioural or academic problems or difficulty in school with bullying for example.
We know that improving behaviour and attendance is not something which will happen overnight, but, the Action Plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions which aim to create a culture of early intervention, effective support and ways to embed and disseminate good practice to promote positive behaviour and attendance in schools across Wales.
I would like to thank Professor Ken Reid and the Steering Group for producing the NBAR Report which has helped to give us direction in how we take forward this vital element of our education policy in Wales.
Related Links
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/?lang=en
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