Simon Thomas AM
The key to raising school standards is excellent teaching and leadership in schools across Wales, according to Mid and West AM Simon Thomas.
The Party of Wales Shadow Minister was speaking in the Senedd during a debate on education watchdog Estyn’s Annual Report.
Plaid Cymru Simon Thomas, Shadow Education and Skills Minister said: “The key to raising school standards is excellent teaching and leadership.
“Plaid Cymru advocates collaboration rather than competition with education authorities, schools and teachers learning from best practice rather than competing with each other. We only have to look over the border in England for the outcomes of a culture of competition.
“The Welsh Government should look carefully at the Silk Commission recommendation for us in Wales to have the powers over pay and conditions for teachers to address the professional needs of all teaching staff.”
“Estyn’s report shows that excellent teaching and leadership in schools make all the difference to school standards.
“A Party of Wales Welsh Government after the 2016 Welsh General Election would introduce a national tracking system for pupils to ensure that teachers can monitor which children are falling behind or require extra support and intervene when needed.
“Teachers should also be entitled to training and professional development to enable them to learn what strategies work to improve literacy, numeracy, attendance and behaviour and to apply those strategies.
“Teachers should be enabled to learn from each other through peer observation and mentoring.
“Head teachers also need training on using data on performance and targeting teachers who need support.”
Estyn’s annual report for 2012-2013 reflects on findings from the first half of the six-year inspection cycle.
Estyn found little change from last year in terms of standards in primary schools with seven in ten found to be good and one in four adequate. Around half the primary schools inspected will be monitored in follow-up visits.
Fewer than half of secondary schools were found to be good or better and the proportion found to be unsatisfactory has increased from one in seven to one in four. Over two thirds of secondary schools will be monitored in follow-up visits.
