Welsh Conservatives will today call for new efforts to stamp out pupil disengagement and improve educational attainment across Wales.
The need for renewed focus on supporting and stretching pupils of all abilities will also form the focus of the opposition debate.
The government’s most recent figures, which show fixed term exclusions rose from 614 in year six to 1,906 in year seven in 2008/09, will be highlighted by the group as evidence that this transitional phase is an example of the detachment some pupils go through.
Welsh Conservatives have previously called for a ‘middle phase’ to integrate the school system and bridge the gap between eight and 13 year olds.
Assembly Members will also call on the Welsh Government to address the decline in the number of pupils achieving top grades and stress the importance of challenging able and talented pupils in particular.
Shadow Minister for Education, Angela Burns AM, said:
“One of the most important factors in raising educational attainment is challenging pupils and maintaining their engagement in school.
“It’s clear from the government’s own figures that there is problem with the transition between years six and seven for example. This is the kind of detachment that must be understood and addressed.
“We must support and encourage those who are under-achieving to raise their aspirations and we must stretch and inspire our most able and talented. Pupils that have the ability and potential to achieve well above the average must be given the appropriate support from the earliest possible opportunity.
“The numbers of pupils achieving level five at key stage two in English, maths and science are all lower than they were five years ago. The number of top grades is also falling and we are lagging behind neighbouring nations. In 2011, fewer pupils achieved A star and A grades at A-Level than a year earlier. The reasons for that must be assessed and acted upon.
“All pupils in Wales must be challenged and engaged by the educational system to ensure that they are determined to fulfil their potential.”
