Some North Wales schools could be at risk of failing inspections due to "outcomes out of their control", education advisers have warned. The effect of the pandemic, staffing issues and the pressures of implementing a new syllabus have all helped raise fears that some schools could even fall into special measures.
Commenting on the news, Welsh Conservative Shadow Education Minister, Laura Anne Jones MS said:
“Be in no doubt, the Labour Government are to blame for the stories that we are hearing about schools in Wales falling into special measures.
“Schools are having to deal with the hastily implemented new curriculum and the fallout from Labour’s longer, harsher lockdowns which lead to Wales losing more school days than any other UK nation. Wales already has the lowest GCSE results in the UK and languishes in the global PISA rankings.
“Labour should have listened to Welsh Conservative concerns over whether the timing of bringing in the New Curriculum was right and if schools and teachers were ready to implement such a seismic change in education in Wales. The Labour Government also need to provide additional support for Welsh pupils affected by the pandemic so that no one is left behind.”
The GwE education service's senior secondary lead Elfyn Jones told a meeting that, when the Government's Estyn inspections resumed, there was "concern" at just how unprepared many schools were as the new syllabus was being rolled out.
