Implementing Improved Educational and School Standards in Wales 24Th April 2013

Implementing improved educational and school standards in Wales 24th April 2013

CONDITIONS FOR USE OF TRANSCRIPTS: This document is intended to provide a timely reference for interested parties who are unable to attend the event to which it refers. Some portions are based on transcripts of proceedings and others consist of text submitted by speakers or authors, and are clearly marked as such. As such, apart from where it is indicated that the text was supplied by the speaker, it has not been possible for the transcript to be checked by speakers and so this portion of the document does not represent a formal record of proceedings. Despite best endeavours by Westminster Forum Projects and its suppliers to ensure accuracy, text based on transcription may contain errors which could alter the intended meaning of any portion of the reported content. Anyone who intends to publicly use or refer to any text based on the transcript should make clear that speakers have not had the opportunity for any corrections, or check first with the speaker in question. If in doubt please contact the forum first. Policy Forum for Wales Keynote Seminar: Implementing improved educational and school standards in Wales 24 th April 2013

Contents

About this Publication 3

Agenda 4

Session Chair’s opening remarks Simon Thomas AM , Shadow Minister for Education, Skills and the Welsh Language, Plaid Cymru (transcript) 6

Educational performance in Wales - establishing a need for change Professor David Reynolds , Professor of Educational Effectiveness, University of Southampton (transcript) 7 Questions and comments from the floor (transcript) 10

Raising educational standards - the impact of the national numeracy and literacy framework Richard Goss, Assistant Director, CfBT (transcript) 14 Owen Hathway , Wales Policy Officer, NUT (transcript) 16 Eifion Evans , Strategic Director for Learning and Lifestyles, Ceredigion County Council (transcript) 18 Darren Evans , Wales Reporter, TES (transcript) 20 Questions and comments from the floor (transcript) 22

Learning in digital Wales - the role of technology in improving standards Steve Beswick , Director of Education, Microsoft UK (transcript) 29 Simon Pridham , Executive Headteacher, Casllwchwr Primary School, Swansea and Programme Manager, LIFE Digital Mentoring Programme (transcript) 31 Questions and comments from the floor (transcript) 33

Session Chair’s closing remarks Simon Thomas AM , Shadow Minister for Education, Skills and the Welsh Language, Plaid Cymru (transcript) 42

Session Chair’s opening remarks Aled Roberts AM , Welsh Liberal Democrats Shadow Minister for Education, Spokesperson for Children and Young People and Spokesperson for the Welsh Language (transcript) 43

Evaluating the performance of schools in Wales Ann Keane HMIC , Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales, Estyn (transcript) 44 Questions and comments from the floor (transcript) 48

Improving School Standards Julie Morgan AM , Member, Children and Young People Committee, National Assembly for Wales (transcript) 51

School Standards and Organisation - intervention, accountability and the role of banding Anna Brychan , Director, NAHT Cymru (transcript) 54 Michael Imperato , Solicitor, NewLaw Solicitors (transcript) 56 Dr Brett Pugh , Head, Standards and Delivery, Schools Standards and Delivery Division, Welsh Government (transcript) 58 Jane Morris , Director, Governors Wales (transcript) 60 Ian Budd , Chairman, Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW) and Director of Lifelong Learning, Flintshire County Council (transcript) 62 Questions and comments from the floor (transcript) 64

Session Chair’s and Policy Forum for Wales closing remarks Aled Roberts AM , Welsh Liberal Democrats Shadow Minister for Education, Spokesperson for Children and Young People and Spokesperson for the Welsh Language (transcript) 72 Jonny Roberts , Senior Producer, Policy Forum for Wales (transcript) 73

List of Delegates Registered for Seminar 74

Contributor Biographies 79

About this Publication

This publication reflects proceedings at the Policy Forum for Wales Keynote Seminar: Implementing improved educational and school standards in Wales held on 24 th April 2013. The views expressed in the articles are those of the named authors, not those of the Forum or the sponsors, apart from their own articles.

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