WIREDGOV

“Today’s results are disappointing and show we’ve still got a way to go before we close the gap with the OECD’s best performing countries. There are signs of some progress in reading, but significant improvement was never likely at this stage.

“Everybody working in and around the Welsh Education sector needs to take a long hard look in the mirror this week.  The PISA results are stark and the message is very clear, we must improve educational attainment and standards right across the board.

“I am confident that the measures we’ve put in place since the last set of PISA results are the right way forward for Wales and we won’t be distracted from delivering them. Today’s news simply reinforces our case for the ambitious reforms we have already developed and everyone across the education sector in Wales now needs to play their part.

“Through the new reading and numeracy tests, secondary school banding, extra funding for new schools and more rigorous qualifications system we are changing the way education is done in Wales, but it will take time to have a significant impact. There are no quick fixes. I expect to see the impact of our reforms reflected in the next set of results. They’re ambitious and I believe they will have a lasting, sustainable and positive effect on education in Wales.

“I hope this set of results strengthens the education sector in Wales’ resolve to improve our PISA performance in 2015. We owe young people in Wales nothing less than the best.”