Education
Unions respond to Estyn announcement
THE MINISTER for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis, is proposing a change to regulations to allow Estyn to inspect schools and other providers at least once every seven years, instead of once every six years. The change would take effect from September 2016 and be reviewed again after a seven-year period (one cycle of inspections). The move will introduce more flexibility into the planning of inspections and allocation of resources. Meilyr Rowlands, Chief Inspector, says: “I welcome the flexibility the proposal to move to a sevenyear inspection period gives Estyn. The extended inspection cycle will allow us to be more responsive to implementing any changes that may result from our recent consultation on inspections. Early analysis of the responses show that there is support for a more proportional approach.
We also look forward to being fully involved in shaping the new curriculum.” Commenting on the Education Minister’s proposal that the inspection period for schools should be extended to seven years to allow Estyn to be fully involved in developing the new curriculum, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales, said: “The NASUWT’s notes the Minister’s concern for the workload of the Welsh inspectorate, the workload of teachers and schools merits equal concern during this period of radical change. “Estyn, along with other stakeholders in the education system, has an important role in play in taking forward the development of the new curriculum, but it is teachers who have the experience of delivering a curriculum and understanding how children learn and make the best progress.
“In order for the new curriculum to be a success, it is teachers who should be at the heart of its development. “The NASUWT would welcome the positive engagement of Estyn with schools on implementing the new curriculum. Unfortunately, Estyn’s approach to inspection has created a climate of mistrust which needs to be overcome before Estyn can play an effective role in curriculum change. “Education Scotland, Estyn’s equivalent in Scotland, played a positive role in supporting schools with curriculum reform. It was only able to do so because it had the trust of the profession.”
Rex Phillips, NASUWT National Official Wales, said: “The work to develop and design the new curriculum is fundamental to the future of the Welsh education system. “Those who will be at the heart of delivering the curriculum must be at the heart of its development. The involvement of Estyn, the Consortia and other stakeholders must be additional to, not instead of, the direct involvement of teachers. “Previously, the Minister said that the new curriculum should be built by the profession, for the profession. We expect him to keep to that pledge.” Commenting on the Welsh government announcement on Estyn, Rob Williams, Director of Policy, NAHT Cymru, the school leaders’ union for Wales, said: “we welcome the announcement that the current six year cycle of school inspections will be extended to seven.
“This extra year will be crucial to fully develop the recommendations in Professor Graham Donaldson’s report. It will provide the necessary space for schools across Wales to work in the most creative ways, and recognises the need for Estyn to be able to release pressure upon schools within the current inspection cycle. This backs up previous promises made by the Minister to place trust in the profession in order to work towards agreed common goals. School leaders in Wales know that the new inspection arrangements planned for 2017 onwards have an opportunity to play a vital part of the shared goal of driving up standards in education. The question of current added pressure associated with an Estyn inspection has now happily been addressed. “NAHT has campaigned for this extra time, which will help school leaders to fully bring in the changes, and will allow the inspectorate to be fully involved in developing the new curriculum
Education
Creative contributions in Operation Ivydene ASB poster competition
STUDENTS from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to a poster competition run as part of the Dyfed-Powys Police Operation Ivydene initiative.
Over the past few months, primary and secondary schools across the four counties were invited to submit designs highlighting the impact of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the importance of promoting safer neighbourhoods.
Last week, the posters were judged by a panel of police officers and crime prevention specialists to come up with the winners.
A special prize-giving ceremony was held on Monday 18th November, where the five winning students were honoured for their outstanding contributions.
‘Antisocial behaviour’ is a broad term which includes behaviour that has caused or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a member or members of the public. Criminal and non-criminal behaviours such as littering, vandalism, public drunkenness, aggressive dogs, or noise nuisance may also be considered ASB.
Caryl Griffiths, ASB Hotspot Co-ordinator for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “The goal of this competition was to engage students in understanding the effects of anti-social behaviour on their communities, and to inspire them to think about how they can contribute to a safer, more supportive environment.
“Judging the competition was challenging due to the high standard of entries, but we ultimately selected five winners who showed exceptional creativity and thoughtfulness.
“A special thanks to Bethan James, our Schools Service Manager, for her role in bringing all the schools together.
Until March 2025, ten of the areas worst hit by antisocial behaviour across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys will receive additional dedicated ‘Hotspot’ police patrols through Operation Ivydene, thanks to an injection of cash from the Home Office, secured for the force by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.
The patrols focus on tackling these types of issues in the following areas:
- Carmarthenshire – Tyisha, Elli / Llanelli town centre, Carmarthen town and Ammanford.
- Ceredigion – Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.
- Pembrokeshire – Haverfordwest town centre and Tenby town centre.
- Powys – east Newtown and Brecon.
Inspector Darren Crockford said: “Operation Ivydene is a targeted initiative that uses a ‘Hotspot’ policing approach to address and behaviour that constitutes ASB and causes harm and alarm in the community.
“Hotspots have been selected as the areas experiencing the highest volumes of violence and antisocial behaviour (ASB) offences and based on local intelligence.
“The patrols aim to provide a reassuring presence to help people feel safe while also proactively disrupting crime and acting as a deterrent.
“An important element of the overall Operation Ivydene approach will be to engage with our communities having meaningful discussions about how ASB impacts the community, and encourage them to take an active role in creating safe and positive places to live.”
Bethan James, Dyfed-Powys Police Schools Service Manger added: “Our Schools Service offers crime prevention sessions to children and young people on topics such as ASB where we use bespoke films and real-life examples to reflect victims’ experiences and explore the boundaries between fun and fear.
“Sessions delivered by our team of Schools Police Officers are specifically designed to challenge mindsets and attitudes in a safe and supportive learning environment.
“The discussions between the officers and the learners explore the long-lasting, harmful effects of ASB, about crimes and consequences and where children can find advice and support.”
During national Anti-Social Behaviour Week, Dyfed-Powys Police is sharing information to help members of the public recognise, report, and get support for anti-social behaviour. Follow them on Facebook for more information.
Charity
‘Grave concerns’ over national insurance hike
SENEDD Members expressed grave concerns about the impact of the UK Government’s national insurance tax hike on GPs, universities and charities in Wales.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth warned the rise in employer national insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% in April will have a disproportionate impact in Wales.
He told the Senedd: “Labour are quick to accuse others of fantasy economics whilst their own plans represent nightmare economics for thousands of employers and employees.”
Raising concerns about the impact on job creation and wages, he said employment levels are at their lowest for almost a decade – lower than anywhere else in the UK.
He accused Labour of breaking a manifesto pledge as he pointed to an Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) assessment that three quarters of the cost will be passed to workers.
Leading a debate on November 20, Mr ap Iorwerth called on the UK Treasury to fully cover the added cost to public sector employers in Wales.
He said: “It’s not the private sector only … bearing the brunt. Charities, GPs, universities – sectors already feeling the squeeze, to say the very least – have been taken to the brink.”
He pointed to “eye-watering” bills of £90,000 for some GPs, with the British Medical Association warning some surgeries could close as a consequence.
Mr ap Iorwerth said mental health charity Plattform faces a £250,000 annual bill and Welsh universities, “already crippled by financial challenges”, will face significant further pressures.
Plaid Cymru’s motion urged Welsh ministers to press the UK Government to apply a wider definition of the public sector workforce to include universities, GPs and charities.
Peter Fox, the Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary, similarly accused Labour of breaking a manifesto commitment not to raise tax on working people.
The former council leader said: “Time and time again – the chancellor went on TV and made the claim, only to u-turn after they got into power.”
Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, said even a 1% rise in employer national insurance contributions for the public sector would cost Welsh taxpayers an extra £100m.
He told the Senedd: “The UK Government has said that it will provide funding to cover the cost of national insurance contributions for those workers.
“However, this will still come out of the taxpayer’s pocket … ultimately it is the taxpayers who are going to pay for the Chancellor’s tax increase.”
Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, warned the national insurance rise will be a drag on an “already anaemic” Welsh jobs market.
His colleague Sioned Williams, who also represents South Wales West, described the chancellor’s “back-of-a-fag-packet” plans as senseless.
She raised concerns about six-figure increases in tax bills for charities including Tenovus, Marie Curie, Citizens Advice Cymru and the Wastesavers Charitable Trust.
Cefin Campbell, Plaid’ Cymru’s shadow education secretary, said the national insurance increase will cost Welsh universities an estimated extra £20m a year.
The Mid and West Wales MS warned: “Without a shadow of a doubt, these additional costs could push our higher education institutions over the precipice.”
Labour’s Hefin David said difficult decisions had to be made to fill a £22bn “black hole” left by the Tories but he rejected Plaid Cymru claims of a return to austerity.
Dr David told the Senedd: “Yes, tough decisions have to be made but I think that in the longer term, this is to everyone’s benefit.”
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservative opposition, disputed the “incorrect” £22bn figure, saying the OBR found a £9bn gap.
Replying to the debate, Mark Drakeford stressed that neither he nor the Welsh Government has responsibility for national insurance contributions.
Wales’ finance secretary, who was appointed in September, criticised “fantasy economics” from opposition members on the Plaid Cymru and Conservative benches.
Deriding the “politics of the playground”, he said: “Both of them are willing to spend money on almost anything; neither of them are willing to raise the money necessary from anyone.”
Prof Drakeford said the chancellor returned national insurance broadly to where it had been as a share of gross domestic product for 13 of the 14 Conservative years.
The former First Minister pointed out that the UK Government offset national insurance rises on small employers by more than doubling the employment allowance.
He told the debating chamber or Siambr: “If you want to pay for things, you have to find the money to do so. That is what the chancellor had to do. That is how we will get the money that will come to public services here in Wales.”
Senedd Members voted 25-19 against Plaid Cymru’s motion.
Education
Pupils wear wellies to back farmers: Council says schools can’t promote protest
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has denied trying to stop pupils from wearing Wellington boots to school in support of local farmers.
However, following a request, the Council refused to promote the wearing of the boots on its website or to allow schools to do so on theirs.
The Council communicated its decision on Monday, November 18, ahead of the national farmers’ protest in London on Tuesday, November 19.
Regardless, pupils across Pembrokeshire wore Wellington boots to school on Tuesday to show their support.
At Ysgol Bro Preseli many pupils had wellies on, and three older pupils reportedly drove to school in tractors.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Education Act 1996 clearly prohibits practitioners from promoting partisan political views, and therefore, our schools are not permitted to promote the farmers’ protest taking place in London today.”
Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch said: “It’s is very upsetting to learn that Pembrokeshire County Council has pressured all schools across Pembrokeshire to withdraw their communications to parents and guardians, showing support to farmers regarding wellies day.
“Farmers are the cornerstone of our country. If there are no farmers, there is no food. If there is no food, there is no way to survive, meaning no Future. It really is as simple as that. Farmers deserve to be recognised.”
A local farmer was unimpressed: “Of course, Pembrokeshire County Council would roll over for their Labour paymasters in London.
“They’ve been rolling over for Labour in Cardiff Bay for years.
“It’s as if the Council doesn’t understand just how important agriculture is to the county’s economy, our identity, and our culture.
“Regardless of your political persuasion, a serious threat looms over the industry, and a show of solidarity would’ve been gratefully received by Pembrokeshire’s farmers.”
Another said: “The support for farmers is wide-ranging, and we owe much to those in London exercising their democratic right to represent rural Britain.
“It felt like a real community in London, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
“Even Londoners supported the farmers and loved the good-natured atmosphere: they said it was so much different than the usual protests they have there.”
(Image: File)
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