THE GROWING crisis over children’s reading standards in Wales has deepened following revelations suggesting confusion and potential bias at the heart of the education inspection system.

Following an ITV News investigation, the Welsh Conservatives have called for urgent action to ensure that reading in Welsh schools is taught using evidence-based methods — rather than outdated or discredited theories.

Estyn under scrutiny

Estyn, the body responsible for inspecting schools in Wales, is facing criticism after ITV News uncovered evidence that inspectors continue to reference and even praise so-called “cueing” methods — where children are encouraged to guess words using pictures or context.

International research over several decades, including the UK Government’s 2006 Rose Review and findings from the US National Reading Panel, has shown that systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) is the most reliable and effective approach to teaching children to read.

Despite this, Estyn officials have appeared to defend cueing as part of a “balanced” model. When asked to provide evidence for the effectiveness of such methods, the inspectorate reportedly cited studies that did not support the approach.

In response, Estyn said it does not endorse any single reading method and that its inspections recognise a range of effective strategies. However, critics argue that the tone and examples used in Estyn reports amount to an implicit endorsement of cueing alongside phonics.

Expert resignations and controversy

Concerns have intensified following the resignation of literacy expert Elizabeth Nonweiler from the Welsh Government’s Expert Literacy Panel. Nonweiler, chair of the Reading Reform Foundation and a leading advocate for phonics, accused the government of embedding “mixed messages” in its new £8.2 million CAL:ON Cymru literacy programme.

It has also emerged that Estyn invited Professor Dominic Wyse — a well-known critic of phonics-focused teaching — to brief inspectors, while initially declining a request for Nonweiler to do the same.

The Welsh Government insists it “supports the systematic teaching of phonics” and that its literacy strategy includes direct support for phonics-based approaches. However, the row has exposed deep divisions over how literacy should be taught and evaluated.

A worsening reading crisis

The political row comes amid mounting evidence that thousands of pupils in Wales are leaving primary school unable to read at the expected standard. ITV News previously reported that up to 30 per cent of children finish primary education without secure reading skills, with Estyn inspection reports continuing to praise cueing-style methods in some cases.

International assessments paint a bleak picture. In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests, 15-year-olds in Wales scored an average of 466 in reading — below the OECD average and significantly behind England’s score of 496.

Conservative response

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said:

“These revelations are deeply concerning. It appears that the body responsible for upholding educational standards in Wales may be promoting flawed and damaging teaching methods.

“The evidence is crystal clear — systematic phonics works. The Welsh Conservatives are the only party committed to banning cueing and following the science by introducing phonics as part of our credible plan to improve education and deliver a better future for Wales.”

Government and Estyn respond

The Welsh Government said that phonics remains a supported part of the curriculum but emphasised that teachers must retain professional judgement in addressing the diverse needs of learners.

Estyn has since apologised for an internal email referring to Nonweiler as “evangelical about a single approach”, describing the comment as “an error”. It has pledged an “enhanced focus on reading” within its inspection framework for the next three years.

A matter of evidence and equity

Supporters of phonics say the research is overwhelming and that consistency is key. They argue that England’s shift to mandatory phonics testing and instruction led to measurable improvements in reading outcomes.

Others, however, defend a more “balanced” approach, emphasising comprehension and meaning-making as essential components of literacy. They warn that rigid adherence to phonics alone risks neglecting broader language development.

The road ahead

With Estyn due to increase its focus on reading, and the Expert Literacy Panel’s report still unpublished, pressure is growing on both the Welsh Government and the inspectorate to provide clarity.

For teachers, parents and pupils, the unanswered questions remain: What guidance will schools receive? How quickly will it change? And how will inspectors judge literacy teaching going forward?

As the debate continues, one fact is beyond dispute — reading is the foundation of all learning. For Wales, ensuring every child can read confidently and fluently is not just a matter of education policy, but of fairness and social justice.

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC will host a Junior Fun Day at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Saturday (Nov 15), offering a full afternoon of entertainment and family-friendly activities from 12:00pm onwards.

The event will feature a wide range of attractions, including a bouncy castle, face painting, 360 camera booth, prizes and giveaways, and even an appearance by Sweet Home Alpaca, where visitors can meet and interact with alpacas between 12:30pm and 2:30pm.

A marquee in the car park will host various activities throughout the day, and half-time cheerleaders will bring extra excitement during the football action.

The fun continues in the clubhouse from 5:00pm, where visitors can watch Wales take on Liechtenstein in the Cymru match live on screen.

Younger fans will also get the chance to meet mascots Freddie Fox and Sandy Bear, while Prendergast CP School will take part in a special School Takeover Day, with Fishguard Cluster Primary Schools also attending.

The event is supported by community partners Stephen Fellows Chiropractor, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and Sandy Bear.

With so many activities on offer, the Junior Fun Day promises to be a memorable day out for families across Pembrokeshire.

(Pic: Haverfordwest County AFC)

A GOODWICK man has been found guilty of drug-driving after previously failing to appear at court.

Marc Barber, aged 41, of Monarch House, Dyffryn, appeared before District Judge M Layton at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 6).

The court heard that Barber had driven a vehicle in March with a controlled drug in his system exceeding the prescribed limit. He initially denied the charge when he appeared in court in September but was convicted following a trial.

The case had been delayed after Barber failed to surrender to bail on a number of occasions, leading to warrants being issued for his arrest.

Barber was convicted of the drug-driving offence and the case was adjourned for sentencing.