School staff contribute to discussion about Welsh education policy

School staff will be among those represented on a new panel to assess the education of eight to 14-year-olds in Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced the formation of a task and finish group to look into the effect of its initiatives for these ages.

Headteachers from secondary and primary and special schools will be accompanied by representatives from Estyn and the Association of Directors of Education in Wales in the group.

Chaired by Professor David Egan of the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, they will assess initiatives designed to improve the learning and wellbeing of these children.

Announcing the move, Welsh education minister Jane Hutt stated: "This group of practitioners and experts will help us ensure that we are making the right strides forward for young people in Wales."

She noted that the group has been formed to ensure that the policies put in place by the assembly are "having a positive effect".

A new action plan to boost attendance levels and combat bad behaviour was launched by the minister last month.





Published On 15/04/2009