Teaching quality in Wales not good enough, says schools inspector

> Standards are not good enough says the chief inspector of schools in Wales

- By ABBIE WIGHTWICK Reporter

LITERACY, numeracy, digital skills and teaching quality are not good enough, says the chief inspector of schools in Wales, Owen Evans.

Pupil progress is being limited by "ongoing weaknesses in literacy, teaching quality and leadership, particularly in secondary schools," the annual report from the head of education watchdog Estyn has warned.

Mr Evans' stark assessment of how the system in Wales is performing highlights what he describes as "weaknesses" in the development of key skills such as reading, maths and digital competence overall.

He said there were examples of good practice, but high-quality teaching and learning was not consistent across Wales, or even within different departments in the same schools.

In his new report, the head of Estyn said he outlined examples of strong practice, but warned that "ongoing weaknesses" in key areas "limits progress for too many learners".

On literacy and numeracy, the Chief Inspector said: "A small number of schools fostered a genuine reading culture, enabling pupils to engage critically with texts and transfer skills across subjects. Yet in too many cases, provision was tokenistic.

"Activities were not well aligned to progression, limiting pupils' ability to develop higher order reading skills or to write with precision. Oracy remained underdeveloped. Without a sharper and more consistent focus on literacy, learners will continue to fall short of their potential.

"In (primary) schools where teachers focused well on developing pupils' mathematical knowledge, pupils often demonstrated a secure understanding of concepts when applying their numeracy skills.

"The provision for developing pupils' literacy, numeracy and digital skills was not strong enough in the majority of secondary schools."

On teaching, the chief inspector said: "If teaching does not improve in depth and consistency of quality, Wales will not deliver the gains it seeks from Curriculum for Wales.