Education

‘Testing fails pupils’

Published

9 years ago

August 16, 2016

STANDARDISED testing continues to leave pupils and schools distressed, according to a national survey of teachers in Wales.

The research, conducted by NUT Cymru, shows that after four years, the literacy and numeracy tests are even more divisive than ever.

Some teachers have even expressed the view that they are considering leaving the profession rather than continue to subject pupils to the testing regime.

As a result of the survey’s findings, the NUT has again called for a review of the system, which it claims is undermining the impact of the Foundation Phase and hindering children’s emotional and educational progress.

The union says some teachers are questioning their long-term commitment to the profession, with one survey respondent stating: “I want to hang my head in shame for what I’m doing to the mental health of the children in my care. I’m ashamed of being a part of a system where all the encouragement of the past year is wiped away by a cross on a scale which says they aren’t good enough. I have seriously considered leaving teaching rather than be part of this testing regime again.”

In 2012, 33% of teachers said they received contact from parents in relation to the assessments and that these were almost exclusively negative. This year’s results showed that the figure was now 56% with the majority stating it remained negative or mixed at best.

NUT Cymru Secretary, David Evans, said: “Once again we see an alarming level of anger and frustration from teachers when asked about the impact of these tests on pupils and on their working conditions.

“The headline figures are extremely worrying but what is particularly worth highlighting is the fact there is a rising level of opposition to the testing. Far from being convinced by standardised testing, the profession is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the policy.

“Perhaps the most depressing evidence is the anecdotal feedback from teachers in regards to the impact those tests have on their pupils. Children are being left demoralised, in tears and with low self-esteem. This is not the outcome any teacher or parent wants to see and it is certainly one of the reasons cited by teachers for considering leaving the profession.

“There is a new Cabinet Secretary in place at the Welsh Government. These tests are not her policy. We have written to Kirsty Williams with the details of this survey and hope a fresh pair of eyes can lead to a new way of thinking, in particular for the very youngest children and in light of the Donaldson recommendations around a less intrusive approach to assessment.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We believe the best way to ensure children make regular progress is to make sure they never fall behind and that this can only be achieved through careful monitoring and assessment of their progress. The national reading and numeracy tests were introduced so that practitioners could gain a clearer picture of pupils’ reading and numeracy skills and use that information to support their progression.

“Our guidance is very clear that there should be no undue preparation for the tests and that all schools are expected to maintain a broad and balanced curriculum throughout the school year. While familiarising children with the format of the tests is good practice, drilling children is never acceptable because it will almost certainly generate feelings of negativity.

“We have taken a number of steps to minimise the impact of the tests on schools’ workloads. Through the Education Improvement Grant, we provide funding to schools which allows them to bring in invigilators, markers or clerical help. We also provide a supported marking service for the Numerical Reasoning tests which we know from feedback is highly valued by practitioners.

“Professor Donaldson’s report ‘Successful Futures’ makes clear that testing is an important element in the range of assessment techniques available to schools but that improvements can be made. Our move to online adaptive tests in 2018 will deliver this.”

While the union reports that 97.5% of respondents did not believe the tests were a positive experience for pupils (up 4% from the original 2013 survey and overall 86% of teachers felt the tests had added to their workloads), the proportion of teachers in Wales who provided responses was very low indeed.

There are around 25,000 teachers in Wales. Even taking into account that not all of those teachers are members of the NUT, a figure of 287 respondents is a very small sample upon which to base definitive conclusions.

Education

Tenby school feasibility study confirms roof system failure

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Safety concerns deepen as Cabinet prepares to discuss full roof replacement

SIGNIFICANT new detail has emerged about the structural issues affecting Tenby VC School, with a Pembrokeshire County Council feasibility study confirming that the building’s roof system has deteriorated to the point where only a full replacement will make the site safe.

Built in 2016, the school has suffered ongoing water ingress and damage to its Structural Insulated Panels. The council commissioned a detailed investigation earlier this year, which has now concluded that “Design Option 5” – a complete roof replacement – is the only viable long-term solution. Cabinet is due to consider the findings at its meeting on Monday (Nov 3).

Urgent health and safety measures remain in place at the site, including the installation of 510 acro props across affected sections of the building and the closure of the Early Years and playgroup wing. The council has confirmed that a full decant of pupils and staff will be required while construction takes place, with options for temporary accommodation currently being reviewed.

Routine monitoring is continuing on a half-termly basis, alongside monthly checks of the acro props. A further report setting out a full decant strategy is expected to come before Cabinet no later than January 2026.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the safety of pupils and staff remained the council’s priority. He added: “The findings of the feasibility study are clear. Only a full roof replacement will provide the secure and modern learning environment our children deserve. We are committed to working closely with the school community to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of education throughout the process.”

Further updates on the council’s decision and the decant arrangements will follow as more information becomes available.

Education

Cymdeithas prepares to fight Carmarthenshire school closure plans

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR IAITH has launched preparations to oppose Carmarthenshire County Council’s plans to close three rural Welsh-medium schools, following a contentious decision by the Cabinet on Monday (Nov 17).

The Cabinet agreed to publish a statutory notice to close Ysgol Llansteffan at the end of the 2025–26 academic year, while also approving a statutory consultation on proposals to close Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Y Fro, Llangyndeyrn. The move forms part of the council’s long-running Modernising Education Programme, under which a number of small rural schools have already faced review because of falling pupil numbers, surplus places and ongoing budget pressures.

Campaigners say the latest proposals could have serious consequences for rural communities, the sustainability of Welsh-medium education and the Welsh Government’s national Cymraeg 2050 language growth strategy. All three schools serve areas with strong Welsh-speaking populations, and parents have repeatedly argued that closures will force young children to travel further and weaken the cultural and social fabric of their villages.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has criticised the process followed by the council, highlighting comments made during Monday’s Cabinet meeting that the required Stage 0 discussions with the schools “did not happen properly”. Stage 0 is the statutory preliminary engagement that must be completed before councillors consider formal closure proposals.

Speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire, campaigner Ffred Ffransis said the Cabinet should not have proceeded.

He said: “The cabinet should not have voted for a consultation after admitting that the initial statutory stage of discussion with the schools, known as stage 0, did not happen properly. The council officers’ reports say clearly that a consultation or a statutory notification to close should not be authorised unless councillors were sure that it was the best option.

“The preparation work to ensure responses to the consultations and objections to the statutory notice to close, together with the three schools, will start straight away.”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith is now expected to coordinate its response with parents, governors and local groups across the county, setting the stage for a significant battle over the future of Welsh-medium schooling in rural Carmarthenshire.

Education

Tenby school built just nine years ago needs new roof

Published

3 days ago

November 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PUPILS at a leaking Pembrokeshire school, built just nine years ago, which now has more than 500 props holding up parts of its roof, are likely to be forced to relocate while a new roof is put on.

Tenby VC School, a 3–11 English-medium primary school with an additional Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provision, was built in 2016.

Just a few years after its build, there were reports of water ingress.

Initial investigations in 2023 identified the requirement for repairs to the flat roof areas, and in 2024 its solar PV array was removed to reduce the load on the roof following engineer advice.

Last November, a £75,000 feasibility budget to look at ways of tackling roof leaks at Tenby’s VC school, including a complete new roof, was backed by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.

At the time, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “A number of [areas of water ingress] have been repaired, but unfortunately a number of leaks have resulted in a weakening of the structure and components within the roof construction.”

In response to the findings of the feasibility study, the council has implemented a series of urgent health and safety measures to mitigate immediate risks, a report for members at the November 2025 Cabinet meeting said.

These include the installation of 510 ‘acro’ props to support vulnerable roof areas and the full closure of the Early Years/Playgroup wing, along with regular inspections.

At the meeting, members received a report detailing the findings of the feasibility study, presented by Cllr Woodham, with a favoured option of the replacement of entire roof.

It said: “Considering the recommendation to proceed with [full roof replacement] a comprehensive decant strategy needs to be developed with all stakeholders and the community to ensure educational continuity, meet health and safety requirements and safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff throughout the construction period and following information needs to be considered in relation to any decant strategy.”

Cllr Woodham said he was “totally aware of the concern in relation to how this progresses,” adding: “The priority is the wellbeing of the learners and staff at the school, we’ll do everything to move as quickly as we can.”

Members backed recommendations that the School Modernisation Working Group be requested to determine the final preferred outcomes in relation to the Tenby Area, and that those recommendations be presented to full council in December.

They also backed tenders for the works being sought, with a further report to Cabinet, and a comprehensive decant strategy be produced; a report returning to Cabinet by January at the latest.