Welsh Government
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Plan sets course for education reform until 2015
In the Minister’s Teaching Makes a Difference speech in 2011, Leighton Andrews outlined a twenty point plan of actions to drive up standards and performance in education in Wales. Implementation of some of the reforms is well underway and already having an impact.
The actions set down in this new plan build on that speech and the School Effectiveness Framework and aim to improve levels of literacy, numeracy and reduce the impact of deprivation. It is targeted at leaders throughout the education system in Wales, from leaders in schools, those in local authorities and regional consortia through to government and outlines clearly what needs to be achieved at each layer of the education system to deliver improvements.
The plan has learning and teaching in schools at the heart of the proposed reforms. It addresses school leadership and its importance in setting high expectations for all learners with a focus on learning and teaching. It sets out how the system as a whole should support and challenge schools to improve through collective capacity building, and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of those within the education system.
Leighton Andrews said:
“A good education is critical to better life chances. Ensuring that all learners have the chance to reach their full potential has been an important part of the culture of modern Wales since devolution.
“We’ve made progress with improving examination results at GCSE and A level and fewer young people are leaving school without a qualification. But there is still more to do.
“This new implementation plan sets out our ambitious reform agenda. It builds on what we have achieved already and outlines what is required of everyone in our education system to drive improvement and raise standards in the future.
“If we all play our part, we can ensure that every learner gets the education they deserve, that all learners make the progress that they should and achieve their aspirations.”
The Minister announced the publication of the new plan at a Celebrating the Best in Schools reception which recognises excellent practice in Welsh schools. During the reception the Minister took the opportunity to congratulate the four Welsh teachers who have won a regional Teaching Award who will now go on to compete in the National Teaching Awards in London.
The four Welsh nominees competing in the National Teaching Awards in London are:
- Mrs Glenys Jones, Bishop Hedley RC High School, Merthyr Tydfil.
- Mrs Yasmin Gedney, Blaenavon Heritage Community School, Gwent
- Mr Sion Jones, Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon
- Cynffig Comprehensive School, Bridgend (The Award for Outstanding School Team of the Year).
