Archive Council News

31 March 2008

Estyn Inspection of the 14-19 Network in Wrexham

The findings of the Estyn inspection into the quality and standard of provision for 14 - 19 year olds in Wrexham have been welcomed by the Chair of the 14 - 19 Network.

Mrs Joyce M’Caw, Chair said,

‘The inspectors found that learners achieve satisfactory or better standards across all sectors. This reflects the very positive links built up between schools, Yale College and providers of work-based learning. The fact that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is judged to show good features with no important shortcomings is a clear signal that partners are on the right track.

We believe that the work of the 14-19 Network is providing a wider choice of learning to young people in Wrexham. In addition, learners are receiving enhanced support through learning coaching, personal support and careers advice and guidance’.

Network Members are pleased that overall, learners achieve satisfactory or better standards across all sectors. In KS 4 the performance of Wrexham learners has improved for the last two years. In addition, the percentage of learners leaving full-time education without a recognised qualification is the lowest in Wales.

In addition, most learners are well motivated and have good attitudes to learning.

The Report states that “the quality of teaching and assessment is generally good in all learning settings. Lessons / training sessions are well planned across all sectors and staff have good knowledge and understanding of the subjects they teach.

In addition, the Network has taken good account of local and regional needs in developing its option menu e.g. expanding provision for catering, construction and retail and is looking to increase collaboration between schools and other learning settings. Collaborative working has increased the number of vocational courses available. The Network has a good range of options for learners who find it difficult to make progress ( disengaged and additional learning needs ) . Learners have access to a wide range of community participation, sporting, cultural and social activities.

Care, support and guidance were considered to be good features in the inspection. It is pleasing to know that the majority of young people feel well cared for, guided and supported. The Learning Coaches support young people in a wide range of settings with their learning and young people who need extra help with their motivation, confidence building and career ideas are offered a good range of programmes, whilst in school or having left from Careers Wales. The Student Assistance Programme and youth workers in education also appropriate support.

Estyn reported that providers of learning opportunities for 14-19 year olds contribute well to the Network and recognise the strengths of partnership working. Communication and working relationships between key providers are notably good.

In addition, key strategic managers have a clear vision about future developments and work well together…the Network has good structures in place to help it work across organisational boundaries

We are pleased that Estyn recognised that the annual plan produced by the Network” sets a very useful agenda for future Network activity to support all 14-19 learners in Wrexham and to bring about continuous improvement throughout the Network.

The Network partners were praised for the ways in which they obtained the views of 14-19 learners. A good example of this was the useful survey conducted by the Network to find out what extra courses the learners wanted at Key Stage 4. This directly influenced which courses the Network provided collaboratively.

Finally, the inspectors found that there is a clear rationale for Network spending and there are collaborative, well managed processes for identifying spending priorities

We would like to thank all parties involved in progressing the 14-19 agenda in Wrexham for their commitment and hard work in moving this important initiative forward so effectively.