“SIGNIFICANT concerns” have been found in Powys County Council’s education services by Estyn inspectors.
The education watchdog for Wales inspected the council department in February and published a damning report on Thursday, March 27.
The report highlighted that there have been several “poor” inspection reports for secondary and all ages schools in the county and that there are leadership weaknesses at all levels.
The report said: “There have been a number of recent changes in senior leadership, this includes the recently appointed chief executive and director of education, as well as a newly established education leadership team.
“This new team has worked to build trusting relationships with schools and others and has prioritised developing a broad understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement in the directorate.
“Despite this, overtime leadership at all levels has had a limited impact on securing important improvements in education services or in improving outcomes for children and young people.
“Inspection outcomes in secondary and all-age schools have been poor over time. ”
Estyn has pointed out that since the last inspection in 2019, just two secondary schools have not required any level of follow-up.
They add that inspections in the primary sector have been “more positive” but say that since February 2021 a “larger proportion” of Powys primary schools have been placed in “follow-up” categories – more than is seen nationally.
Estyn adds that there are a “few examples” where supporting school improvement support is “effective,” but their impact and processes are “underdeveloped.”
Estyn said: “This is because often officers focus too heavily on school improvement paperwork at the expense of working with schools to support the most pressing improvement priorities.”
The report highlights “strategic leadership” on Additional Learning Needs (ALN) is “not effective” and does not ensure that all schools get access to high quality and consistent support.
The inspector does go on to praises the 10-year school transformation strategy but explains that it doesn’t include enough information during the school closure process on what the “intended impact” on pupils’ education “outcomes” are.
They do say that the WESP (Welsh in Education Strategic Partnership) has had “a positive impact” by increasing access to education through the medium of Welsh.
On sixth forms Estyn said: “Current arrangements have not led to improved learner outcomes, are not financially sustainable and do not support equal access to post-16 provision for all including through the medium of Welsh and for those pupils with ALN.”
On the perennial issue of school finances, Estyn said: “The local authority knows its schools’ financial situations well and has improved the way in which it supports and challenges schools where officers identify concerns.
“Despite this work, over time, the local authority has not had enough impact in improving school budget positions.”
Council leader, Liberal Democrat Cllr James Gibson-Watt said: “We accept their findings, and we will act to deliver the change needed to strengthen our education services.
“The report will form the basis of an action plan that we will develop to address the recommendations.
“We are committed to delivering exceptional education services that support our schools so that they can give our young people the best foundation for their future.”
The recommendations from Estyn are:
- Strengthen the quality and impact of leadership, including political leadership, at all levels
- Strengthen the quality of support and challenge to schools to improve outcomes for all learners, including those with ALN.
- Work with partners to rapidly develop and implement a model for 16-19 education that is financially viable and sustainable and meets the needs of all.
- Ensure that the local authority addresses urgently important school site security issues.
Once the action plan is drawn up Estyn will review the council’s progress through a series of monitoring visits
