WLGA welcomes the new focus on driving up school standards and attainment
29 March 2011
Responding to today’s review into the future of education in Wales by the Ministerial Group on Education Structures Chaired by Viv Thomas, Cllr Peter Fox (Monmouthshire), WLGA Spokesperson for lifelong Learning said:
“Improving educational attainment for young people in Wales is a top priority for every Council in Wales. Wales’ 22 leaders re-affirmed this position at a meeting of the WLGA Coordinating Committee last Friday (March 25th) as well as their commitment to working with the newly elected Welsh Assembly Government to meet the Education Minister's 20 actions for raising standards in education.”
“The WLGA has fully co-operated with this review and has given evidence to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Life-long Learning Committee. We need time to consider the full implications of this detailed review, however we are confident that much of much of what is contained in the recommendations is either already being done by local authorities or is about to be done.”
Responding to the specific recommendation of the review relating to collaborative working across councils, Cllr Fox added:
“Local Authorities have been working together for some time via local government’s four education consortia which were set up and driven by local government.”
“The consortia enable local authorities to work very closely together, with their schools and support services. These consortia ensure that the best practice in teaching and learning is implemented across the board by, for example, sharing experiences and solutions in a systematic way. The development of professional learning communities initially in priority areas such as literacy are a key part of the drive to raise pupil outcomes and improve wellbeing in Wales.”
“The WLGA remains firmly committed to the principle of local government being best placed to deliver education in Wales. We look forward to working with the next Welsh Assembly Government on school improvement, raising standards and ensuring better outcomes for children and young people.”