Agenda item

QUESTION BY COUNCILLOR BETSAN JONES TO COUNCILLOR GLYNOG DAVIES, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN

“A year ago schools and other providers of education and training in Wales were recognised by Estyn for their excellence at an awards evening.  Staff at these organisations received a certificate and congratulations from Meilyr Rowlands, the Chief Inspector and Kirsty Williams, Cabinet Secretary for Education. 

 

Six awards went to Carmarthenshire schools – more than from any other individual county council. 

 

They were:

 

Bryngwyn School, Heol Goffa School, Ysgol Glan-y-Môr, Ysgol Gynradd Bynea, Ysgol Gynradd Parcyrhun and Ysgol Gynradd Saron.

 

Can we expect schools from this county to be recognised at this year’s ceremony?”

 

Minutes:

“A year ago schools and other providers of education and training in Wales were recognised by Estyn for their excellence at an awards evening.  Staff at these organisations received a certificate and congratulations from Meilyr Rowlands, the Chief Inspector and Kirsty Williams, Cabinet Secretary for Education. 

 

Six awards went to Carmarthenshire schools – more than from any other individual county council. 

 

They were:

 

Bryngwyn School, Heol Goffa School, Ysgol Glan-y-Môr, Ysgol Gynradd Bynea, Ysgol Gynradd Parcyrhun and Ysgol Gynradd Saron.

 

Can we expect schools from this county to be recognised at this year’s ceremony?”

 

Response by Councillor Glynog Davies, Executive Board Member for Education and Children:-

 

Thank you to Councillor Betsan Jones for the question. It’s a very timely question because Estyn will be hosting their ceremony for 2017/18 and to recognise our excellence in education and training that will be taking place this Friday and, as you said Betsan, last year was an excellent year, with six schools in Carmarthenshire being recognised for their hard work and, notice as well, the high standard of leadership that are in schools. We’re expecting this now in schools, we also need a clear vision and, also, a commitment to improvement. That is what’s going to raise the standards in our schools, and that’s why these schools were recognised. This is what’s needed in every school in order for us to improve the standards of education and having an excellence review following an inspection. Thirty Four schools were recognised and six of them were from Carmarthenshire and that’s high praise for us as a county. We’re talking here of excellence, so what is this excellence? Estyn will be inviting schools and other providers who received excellence in three specific inspection areas. That is what puts them in this status of excellence. They have had excellence in three areas of inspection or more during the 2017/18 academic year, and, this Friday, I have the pleasure in saying there will be four representatives from Carmarthenshire, once again four schools representing Carmarthenshire in this event. It would not be appropriate for me to announce today who those schools are who are being recognised but, the Director of Education and myself have congratulated the schools on their success and that of course keeps the high standard that there are four schools being recognised nationally once again. It’s not a small matter of ensuring excellence, and it’s appropriate for us to respect and pay our respect to our heads who work extremely hard, and their staff for the excellent work that they do in their schools. They commit themselves to the children and young people and they ensure there are excellent opportunities for those who are receiving education. Can I also thank the governors of schools, and the parents, and many of you here are governors yourselves and possibly parents as well. So, thank you for the support. Can I also thank all the staff of the Council especially, the Education Department for their untiring support to our schools. I’d like to refer to our School Improvement Team who work as part of the ERW region. They go to our schools to challenge but also to support and to ensure the best is available to each learner. With the co-operation of the head teachers, yourselves and every other governor, we will ensure that every school in Carmarthenshire is an excellent school. That is what I’d like to see that each school in Carmarthenshire is an excellent school and these awards recognise that we are on the right track. Thank you very much.     

 

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