Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths believes a Welsh Government announcement which will see Wrexham Schools receive an additional £30,000 Welsh Government ‘can make a real difference’. However Lesley also cautioned that the Council must up its game to improve standards on the back of the funding boost.
Welsh Labours Education Minister, Leighton Andrews this week announced that the Welsh Government will provide a £10,000 cash boost will go to every Band 4 and 5 secondary school in Wales.
This will mean three of Wrexham’s nine secondary schools and are thus in line to receive £10,000 pounds each after been allocated band five status in December. Rhosnesni High, Ysgol Bryn Alyn and Ysgol Clywedog, are all to benefit from the additional funding.
Operating alongside the Welsh Governments pupil deprivations grant, the funding will provide additional support to schools in more deprived areas. In return, schools and teachers are being expected to address underachievement and agree to share their best practice.
Commenting, Lesley Griffiths said:
“This funding will have a direct impact upon three schools in Wrexham, making a real difference to budgetary pressures and allowing teachers to concentrate on improving standards.
“This move targets additional resources to where they are needed most and along with the deprivation grant will ensure no pupil gets left behind by circumstance within the Welsh educational system.
“Over the bigger picture, it is for Local Authorities to ensure education plans are in place so that schools do not slip into lower bandings. I hope Wrexham Council Education department will put in place the changes needed to bring about improvements in these schools. This money can only help achieve that. “
The Minister also announced the creation of a new ‘Practitioners Panel’ to advise the Welsh Government on best practice, the exchange of ideas between teachers and head teachers, and the quality of materials and resources being introduced into the education system in Wales.
