Questioning the Minister for Education in the Chamber, Assembly Member Mick Bates has highlighted the ‘Trisgol’ programme in Montgomeryshire as an exemplar of innovative working to provide post-16 provision.
Speaking after his question, Mr Bates said:
“In Powys we inevitably face continued challenges in delivering services across such a rural constituency, with a disperse population and poor infrastructure.
“This has been the case with post-16 education, where schools have had to combine the need to ensure continued high standards and meet changes in education and legislative requirements, against a backdrop of reducing resources. It is crucial that we maintain the high standards of our present structure of post-16 education in Montgomeryshire.
“The ‘Trisgol’ programme, which involves collaborative working between schools in Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Welshpool, has provided an innovative and value added solution. These schools are working together to provide over 30 subjects at post-16 and better provision for Welsh medium learners. It is a model that works well.
“I have urged the Minister for Education to support added value to education by collaboration, whilst maintaining the current structure in Montgomeryshire. I hope the Minister will support other schools in rural Wales who are keen to work together to explore this model of exemplar working, which could provide the answer for secondary school modernisation in many areas.”
