Schools Effectiveness Framework could do better (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Schools Effectiveness Framework could do better

February 26, 2008 6:00 PM

Kirsty Williams AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education, has responded to the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills School Effectiveness Framework with reserved welcome.

Kirsty Williams said: "School's effectiveness is only part of the picture in driving up attainment levels in Wales. Successive reports from the Assembly Government themselves have made the link between levels of disadvantage and academic attainment.

"Until the government truly cracks the problem of child poverty they will be limited in their ability to actually see the necessary improvements in levels of attainment. This framework must therefore work in collaboration with wider efforts to tackle economic and social inequality.

"It is vital that the framework should not result in the duplication of services that are already being delivered by local government. The previously proposed Regional Educational Area Improvement Teams must be scrapped and the Assembly Government must work with local government to create a jointly governed organisation at a national level to achieve the implementation of the framework.

"It is essential that those implementing the framework have the expertise and frontline classroom experience to command the respect of the teachers, professionals and local government members with whom they will be working

"I welcome the additional money for framework but have called yet again for the government to recognise that not all education is delivered by schools and indeed many of those in post-16 education attend Further Education institutions. We therefore need an FE effectiveness framework as has been the case in England to ensure that FE students are getting the same targeting as those in schools."

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