8. Debate: The Estyn Annual Report 2016-17

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:54 pm on 6 March 2018.

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Photo of Kirsty Williams Kirsty Williams Liberal Democrat 5:54, 6 March 2018

It is a matter for Estyn what they include in their report—it's not a matter for me—but I do not believe that going to a system of league tables that pits school against school, teacher against teacher, will help us to build the collaborative system that we need, and what the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development tells us that we need here in Wales. But what the inspector does tell us we need are better accountability measures. The inspector talks at great length about the accountability measures that we've had in the past, determined by external examinations, that have led to teaching to test, narrowing of the curriculum and not giving kids what they need. And the challenge to us is to find an accountability regime that aligns Welsh Government accountability with Estyn and our regional consortia, and I'd be very happy to talk to headteachers at their conference tomorrow about how we're developing that. 

MAT—I will refer you to the statement I made last week. There is more we need to do on more able and talented, that's why I announced the investment in that. Let me be absolutely clear: I'm not on a mission to close sixth forms. I believe in a mixed economy of post-16 provisions. For some places and some pupils sixth forms are fine, in other places, local determination has said something different—but I am not about closing sixth forms; I'm about a mixed economy. What I am about is, wherever that child studies, it has to be high quality and children have to get the right kind of advice so they can make positive choices about their future and not be railroaded into the FE sector or staying on to the sixth form. There is more work that we can do to ensure that children and parents have a wide variety of access to information about what is best for their child. But please don't say that I'm about closing sixth forms; we're about a mixed economy in this Government.

Lee, you are absolutely right: there is so much more we need to do about digital. That's why the digital competence framework was the first part of our curriculum reform that was published. I met last week with our National Digital Learning Council to look at restyling their remit and their function so that we can drive improvements in this area because, clearly, what we see at the moment is not good enough. That's why we've established the national network of excellence for STEM as well, because I recognise there is so much more we need to do and we will not serve our children well unless they are literate, numerate and digitally competent. That's what we need for their futures. 

Vikki Howells, you're absolutely right: we can have the best school buildings in the world, we can have the best teachers, the best curriculum, but, if we don't address children's well-being, they're not in a position to make the most of those opportunities. I am glad that Estyn recognises that, actually, we've got a good story to tell on well-being, but there's always more that we can do. 

Presiding Officer, I will close there in saying that I agree with the chief inspector's comment that there is much to be proud of in the Welsh education system. However, I also recognise that there is still much more for me and this Government to do. We must continue the momentum behind our national mission to raise standards, to reduce the attainment gap, and deliver an education system that is a source of national pride and enjoys public confidence, Mark. The Estyn annual report will play a key role in helping us on that journey and informing us of where we've made progress. Thank you.