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Education

New school rating system

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A NEW grading system for education, recently introduced into Wales, has published its first results.

Education Minister: No hiding place for under performing schools.

Education Minister: No hiding place for under performing schools.

Under the new grading, schools are rated via a colour coding system. Green and yellow schools are seen as highly effective, whereas those coded red and amber are shown as schools in need of improvement, with red schools in need of greatest improvement. In Pembrokeshire, 7 schools are listed as green, but alarmingly, 4 are listed as red: Ysgol Gynradd Eglwyswrw, Haverfordwest CIW Voluntary Controlled School, Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Tasker Milward V.C. School.

The Welsh Government believe that the new system will help all schools to improve by judging them over a 3 year period rather than just one year. Spearheading the changes, Welsh Education Minister Huw Lewis, said: “Under this system, there is no hiding place for schools that don’t deliver for the most disadvantaged pupils. We have deliberately set a high bar – I make no apology for that. Under the new system you don’t get to call yourself a top performing school, unless the results of your poorest pupils reach a certain basic standard. If there are those who seriously want to argue with the basic fairness of that, then good luck to them.”

However, NAHT Cymru director Dr Chris Howard said: “The new school categorisation system will anger many schools in Wales at a time when the minister should be recognising the hard work that’s been done to raise standards. It will do nothing to encourage schools and teachers working with the most challenging communities. The categorisation system was supposed to show which schools needed most help. It will not be seen that way. It will stigmatise schools and the professionals in them.”

Plaid Cymru Shadow Education Minister, Simon Thomas, said: “This system is no longer a league table of schools but an attempt to recognise where failure lies. The Minister must now demonstrate he has chosen the correct criteria for categorisation and is delivering the right support to the right schools for improvement. The new school categorisation system is a step in the right direction in that, unlike banding a school can move up in the system without another school moving down.

“The system is also supposed to take into account the environment the school is working in and its capacity to self-improve. Plaid Cymru always warned that banding did not provide a whole view of a school’s performance. We believe that pitting schools against each other is destructive and should not happen. We have long called for support to be provided for under-performing schools throughout Wales.”

Shadow Education Minister, Angela Burns, stated: “Schools throughout Wales will be very relieved that the Welsh Labour Government have finally come to their senses and scrapped the deeply unpopular and divisive school banding system. The new School Categorisation system is a move in the right direction but is still throwing up extraordinary anomalies where schools with recent excellent Estyn inspection reports are in the Amber (in need of improvement) category.

“The good news is that schools will be judged over a three year period rather than just one and some form of outcome monitoring is to be welcome. However adding primary schools into the mix and altering the baseline measures for all schools will create more work for teachers to understand the new colour coded performance targets, create further anomalies and can demoralise well performing schools. It remains to be seen whether the Red, Amber, Yellow, Green traffic light system is coherent, accurate and meaningful or simply a colourful whitewash for Government failure.”

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Education

Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School

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PUPILS from Portfield School have had the exciting opportunity to leave their mark on history as work continues at pace at their fantastic new school.

The pupils attended an event to mark the reaching of the highest point of the new building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony. The event gave pupils a chance to sign one of the first steel beams, and leaving handprints on a wall, symbolising their role at the heart of the school community and the bright future ahead.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and was attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior Council officers and officers from the project team to celebrate the key milestone.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it’s wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations.”

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr. Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased at the progress being made.

“Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school.

“This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025.”

Following their visit, pupils made the following comments: “We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build it is extremely cool. Even though I am leaving this year my name will be there for ever.”

“Oh it was fun! I put my hand in paint and then put it on the wall.”

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.

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Education

Young pilgrims invited to walk in the footsteps of St David this summer

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Youth pilgrimage to blend fun, faith, and fellowship in scenic coastal retreat

YOUNG people from across west Wales are being invited to take part in the Annual St Davids’ Youth Pilgrimage this summer, as the Diocese of St Davids prepares for five days of faith-filled adventure along the ancient coastal paths once walked by Wales’ patron saint.

Taking place between August 4 and 8, the pilgrimage is open to all young people aged from rising 11 (Year 6) to 17, and promises a blend of walking, worship, games, storytelling and reflection. The group will be based at the St Davids Bunk Barns, just outside the city on the A487, with daily excursions to explore the landscape that inspired St David’s ministry.

Led by Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, the Diocese’s Children, Youth & Families Missioner, the week-long event is designed to offer a meaningful experience of Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.

“Each day will include walking parts of the coastal path, engaging activities to explore faith and time for reflection, fun and laughter,” said Reverend Whitmarsh. “We hope this will be a truly Holy Spirit-filled experience for our young people.”

The cost of the pilgrimage is £80 per child, covering food and accommodation for four nights. Thanks to support from the diocese and a new sponsorship scheme called Angels and Archangels, subsidies are available to ensure no child misses out due to financial hardship.

Booking packs include medical and permission forms, a kit list, and a participant contract to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved.

For more information call 07870 415378.

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Education

International exchange of training ideas between Wales and Catalonia

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THE ORGANISATION representing work-based learning providers across Wales has welcomed representatives from Catalonia to Cardiff to exchange international ideas on vocational training and youth employment.

Part of Taith, Wales’ international learning exchange programme, the visit was organised by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) and included an opportunity for the visitors – who work for the Catalan Government’s Education Department, with specialists in youth employment and international mobility – to view ACT’s apprenticeship and youth training programmes.

The NTFW, which represents the interests of training providers and learners across Wales, fosters strong partnerships with key stakeholders including the Welsh Government, Medr, Members of the Senedd, Qualifications Wales, Education Workforce Council and Estyn.

The Federation brings together four of Wales’ leading training providers – ACT, Itec Skills and Employment, Cambrian Training Company and Educ8 – all of whom were represented during the discussions.

The visit formed part of a wider European study tour for the Catalan representatives who have also visited Finland, France, Italy, Portugal and Mexico to explore how different nations deliver government-funded training programmes.

Despite differences in qualification frameworks and awarding bodies, both the Welsh and Catalan groups quickly identified shared challenges.

These included rising numbers of young people classified as NEET – not in education, employment or training – difficulties in re-engaging learners once they leave the system and the growing demand for improved mental health support in training environments.

NTFW members shared their experiences with the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme, which equips 16 to 19-year-olds with the skills, qualifications and work experience necessary to progress into employment or further training.

In turn, Maribel Rodriguez, international programmes specialist with the Catalan delegation, introduced the ALMA programme. Funded by the Spanish Social Security Fund, the programme focuses on providing training, career guidance and overseas internship opportunities for young people seeking work abroad.

Richard Spear, ACT’s managing director, said: “It was incredibly valuable to sit down with our visitors from Catalonia and learn about the innovative approaches they are taking to address challenges we also face here in Wales.”

Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, who chaired the meeting, added: “We were delighted to share how we are championing vocational training in Wales. It’s clear that while we face similar hurdles, we also share many strengths. Opportunities like this remind us of the power of collaboration and the importance of learning from each other.”

Picture caption:

Visitors from Catalonia with National Training Federation for Wales members during their visit to ACT in Cardiff.

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