Education
CBI Chief calls for GCSEs to be scrapped
CBI HEAD, John Cridland, has called for controversial plans to scrap GCSEs in the next five years. He wants them replaced with an equal exam system for vocational subjects. He has accused the current system as ‘narrow’ and ‘out of date’. In a speech at the annual Festival of Education at Wellington college he said: “By the end of this parliament, I want to see the date for the last GCSEs circled in the secretary of state’s diary. We have to face the uncomfortable truth that – internationally – we’re the oddballs. GCSEs are past their sell-by date and should be retired.” He went on to say that the UK Government needs to review, in full, all 14-18 education by summer 2016. Also calling for a wider school system he went on to say: “Debates about schools structure and exam reform are sterile if they aren’t linked to outcomes for young people. And that is a missing link in our system.” He finished by stating that businesses should play a bigger part in establishing links between school and employment, saying: “Schools shouldn’t be places where businesspeople drop their kids at the beginning of the day like they drop off their dry-cleaning.” In response, Dr Philip Dixon, Director of ATL Cymru, said: “John Cridland is to be commended for bringing centre stage what a number of other organisations having been saying for some time. GCSEs belong to a world where the majority of youngsters left school at 16. As the vast majority now stay on in education or training these high stakes – and high cost – exams are no longer necessary. Other means can be found to ensure that youngsters chose the right next step for them. It is also good to see the CBI insisting that vocational qualifications should be as valued as academic ones though the change in mentality is fundamental. It will be interesting to see how the Welsh Government considers Cridland’s calls now that we no longer have to imitate what is done across the border.” Angela Burns, Shadow Welsh Assembly Education Secretary, stated: “Whilst I agree that we must have equal status for vocational subjects we also need to ensure that all our examinations, whether vocational or academic, are internationally recognised, robust and relevant. That would serve students, further and higher education and employers far better than an arbitrary deadline. We must ensure there is a clear and evidence based way forward that enhances the exam system and enables it to be developed to keep pace with the global economy.” Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Education Minister Mid and West AM Simon Thomas said: “The Party of Wales agrees with him about the importance of outcomes for pupils whatever education system they are in, the need to shift to valuing both academic and vocational routes of learning and a way of a boosting innovation by head teachers. The CBI chief is right that there is a need for curriculum reform in England not just exam reform. Unlike England we have seen a blueprint for curriculum reform in the Donaldson report. These CBI comments back Plaid Cymru’s position on the new Qualifications Wales Bill. The purpose of the Qualifications Wales Bill passed last week is to ensure confidence in the qualifications system, and this is something that the Party of Wales has worked to maintain throughout the development of the bill. We have worked to ensure that Wales’ new qualifications body will ensure that employers, the public and universities have confidence in the qualifications system, and to ensure that qualifications gained in Wales are internationally respected.”
Education
Planning for a greener future at Pembroke Dock Community School
LEARNERS at Pembroke Dock Community School are being inspired to think of a future in renewable energy as they found out more about how the energy sector is changing in Pembrokeshire.
The whole school focused on the topic and discovered more about wind turbines, energy testing areas, combating climate change, solar power, and more, in a number of engaging and practical workshops.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and the Darwin Centre brought the subject to life and learners enjoyed getting involved in researching and testing their work.
Some groups designed and built model floating platforms for offshore wind turbines as well as model turbines, children learnt all about how renewable energy is generated and used in modern life, as well as storage energy, while others went on a visit to Dragon LNG in Waterston to see a solar power farm.
Science, maths, problem solving and key thinking skills were all incorporated into the projects.
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher Michele Thomas said: “The work of the school this term has been inspired by the exciting opportunities in net-zero careers in Pembrokeshire, as Wales heads towards being net-zero by 2050.
“We want our learners to be knowledgeable about renewable energy across many levels, and to experience what it would be like to be a scientist or an engineer in the field. We have also strived to empower our learners to take social action on matters that are important to them and their lives, as well as on local decisions that impact on the global population.
“The staff have been hugely creative in their curriculum design, which has in turn engaged and inspired all of the learners right across all school.”
Education
Tenby school built just eight years ago could need new roof
A £75,000 feasibility budget to look at ways of tackling roof leaks at Tenby’s VC school, including a complete new roof for the school built just eight years ago, has been backed by senior councillors, with the potential of seeking redress from those who built it.
A report for Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet members at their November meeting, presented by Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Since being established in 2016, and having been built as part of the Band A tranche of the Council’s 21st Century Schools Programme, the Tenby VC School building has experienced water ingress in roof areas.
“A number of these have been repaired, but unfortunately a number of leaks have resulted in a weakening of the structure and components within the roof construction. In order to reduce the load on the roof, the PV/Solar array which was installed at the time of the school’s construction has been removed; furthermore, a number of ‘props’ remain in place internally in order to support vulnerable areas of the roof.
“Over the past months, a number of discussions have taken place between the council’s professional construction services team and an external structural engineer to determine some possible options going forward.
“Such options range from limited intervention with a reliance on ongoing repair and maintenance, to a replacement of the entire roof structure. Given that the preferred option could result in a funding requirement in excess of £300,000, the council’s Capital Strategy requires Cabinet to approve feasibility funds.
“A project board has been established to review progress until the agreed works have been completed, the membership of which includes the headteacher and chair of the governing body.”
The report added: “As an operational school, it is considered essential that the roof issues at Tenby VC School can be resolved at the earliest opportunity. A feasibility exercise is required to be undertaken, but due to the constraints imposed by the terms and conditions of the most recent Welsh Government Capital Maintenance Grant, it cannot be funded via this grant.
“In accordance with the council’s Capital Strategy, Cabinet is asked to approve a £75,000 feasibility budget to explore the above options. Unless funded from an existing revenue budget, the feasibility study will be funded from the programme for administration reserve.”
Members agreed to approve a budget of £75,000 to fund a feasibility exercise to explore the options identified and to see whether there is potential redress from the contractors involved in building the school.
Education
More Pembrokeshire schools championing going mobile phone free
SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire are leading the way in reducing issues with mobile phones with the Council among the first in Wales to develop a policy to support it.
The rationale behind the policy is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones and devices that presents significant challenges to how pupils behave and learn in school settings.
Increasingly, there is mounting evidence suggesting that the unchecked use of mobile phones in schools is having a detrimental impact on pupils’ mental health and academic progress, while also draining the energy of school staff who must manage resulting problems.
As well as distraction by normal messaging there are the risks of bullying, sexting or sharing inappropriate chats and images.
Education officers set up a Local Authority and Schools working group to develop guidance on removing mobile phones during the school day following the success Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi had when it was introduced last year.
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High, Pembroke Dock Community School and Gelliswick VC Primary School were involved in the group which has developed mobile phones guidance for schools to introduce this academic year.
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher Michele Thomas said: “Establishing good habits in primary school to be mobile free supports the transition into secondary schools with the same policy.
“Nearly all Pembrokeshire schools prohibit the use of mobile phones during the school day, which has helped learners have a clearer focus on their work and reduces distractions. In addition the policy reduces the risk of any inappropriate use. The policy has been working well and will have long term benefits all round.”
Rachel Thomas, Headteacher of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi added: “The prohibited use of mobile phones and storage of them during lesson time has changed our entire school community’s safeguarding, wellbeing and learning environment completely.
“My latest mantra is that we live in a society where children are banned from playing conkers but are allowed mobile phones and online devices which put their safeguarding, wellbeing and childhood at risk.”
Funds have also been allocated to support schools with the logistics of removing phones, such as storage facilities, and all secondary schools are now implementing or are planning to introduce the policy guidance this year.
Sean Thomas, Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour, Culture and Ethos at Milford Haven School said: “As a school, we anticipated this policy being challenging to implement, at least for the first few weeks. However, the pupils, staff and parents have bought into it fantastically, it has been a huge success.
“Pupils and staff have all commented on an increased focus during lessons, less distractions and a calmer environment.”
The Prefect Team, Communications Team and Headteacher collaborated to create a fun and informative video for social media, addressing concerns about the new mobile phone policy after the pupil voice session to ensure pupils felt heard and informed about the changes ahead.
Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris added: “I am extremely proud of how our pupils have embraced this positive change. Listening to our pupil voice prior to implementing the new policy has been instrumental in its success as their input and cooperation have helped shape a smoother, more positive transition for everyone.
“The Prefect Team did a wonderful job addressing concerns from our pupil voice in a fantastic video that was released to parents and pupils prior to the new policy being in place. We have seen tremendous positive impact in classrooms as pupils are more focused and an increase in social interactions at break. The feedback from staff, parents, and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Our schools are leading the way in improving safety and learning for their learners, this mobile phone policy supports them in this work to protect young people.
“‘I’d like to thank all those involved in developing and implementing this new and effective policy.”
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