Caerphilly Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert has backed local schools Bedwas High School, Heolddu Comprehensive School, St Cenydd School and St Martin’s School after it was announced that all four would be part of the Schools Challenge Cymru programme announced by the Welsh Government on Thursday.
Called Pathways to Success Schools, Education Minister Huw Lewis announced the local schools as one of forty secondary schools part of the Welsh Government’s multi-million pound improvement programme to increase performance in Welsh schools.
Schools have been chosen using a range of performance data and information that highlights the challenges they face in terms of their circumstances and stage of development. They have been also been chosen as it is believed they have the potential to deliver swift and positive improvements for learners.
Working with their own Schools Challenge Cymru advisor, each Pathways to Success School will be given the opportunity to access proven expertise, to deliver a package of support that is individually tailored to meet each school’s needs and the needs of their learners. The programme will be backed by around £20 million of Welsh Government funding.
The programme will also provide targeted support to participant schools’ cluster primaries in order to address challenges at the earliest opportunity and improve transition between these key stages of education.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said:
“I’m very supportive of all four schools as they begin their school improvement journey as part of the Schools Challenge Cymru programme.
“This is a big investment of time, expertise and resource in Bedwas, Heolddu, St Cenydd and St Martin’s, and I’m backing staff, pupils and governors as they begin this exciting journey.
“The Welsh Government is committed to raising standards across the board in our education system and this Schools Challenge Cymru programme will be a huge support for these four schools over the next few months.”
