Decision details

Debate on The Estyn Annual Report 2013-14

Decision Maker: Plenary - Fourth Assembly, Children, Young People and Education Committee - Fourth Assembly

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

Estyn is the office of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales. It is independent of, but funded by, the Welsh Government.

 

The Children, Young People and Education Committee scrutinise Estyn on their annual report.

Decision:

The item started at 16.31

NDM5698 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the annual report for 2013-14 of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Applauds the stronger aspects of Welsh education, but regrets that overall standards are still weak and that:

a) schools with strong leadership need to share best practice with weaker schools to boost standards; and that

b) the Welsh Government needs to improve both access to, and provision of, continuing professional development for both new and experienced teachers.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 2 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

Regrets the state of pupil referral units in Wales, all of which, barring two, need improvement.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

Regrets Estyn's finding that standards in primary schools declined this year, with the proportion of primary schools with good or excellent standards falling from seven in ten to just over six in ten.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

Regrets Estyn's finding that pupils struggle to use numeracy skills appropriately across the curriculum in around half of schools.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

Believes that the Welsh Government needs to build the capacity of the education workforce for effective implementation of key policies such as the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, the Foundation Phase and the new National Curriculum.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

Believes that teachers in all parts of Wales should have access to best practice.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM5698 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the annual report for 2013-14 of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.

2. Applauds the stronger aspects of Welsh education, but regrets that overall standards are still weak and that:

a) schools with strong leadership need to share best practice with weaker schools to boost standards; and that

b) the Welsh Government needs to improve both access to, and provision of, continuing professional development for both new and experienced teachers.

3. Regrets the state of pupil referral units in Wales, all of which, barring two, need improvement.

4. Regrets Estyn's finding that standards in primary schools declined this year, with the proportion of primary schools with good or excellent standards falling from seven in ten to just over six in ten.

5. Regrets Estyn's finding that pupils struggle to use numeracy skills appropriately across the curriculum in around half of schools.

6. Believes that the Welsh Government needs to build the capacity of the education workforce for effective implementation of key policies such as the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, the Foundation Phase and the new National Curriculum.

7. Believes that teachers in all parts of Wales should have access to best practice.

The motion as amended was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Publication date: 24/02/2015

Date of decision: 24/02/2015

Decided at meeting: 24/02/2015 - Plenary - Fourth Assembly