Pupils benefit from education service (From Penarth Times)

Pupils benefit from education service

PENARTH pupils are benefiting from a thriving education service.

The Vale of Glamorgan Education Authority has welcomed a new report that highlights "significant improvements" achieved by the service during the past three years.

Detailing the considerable progress achieved by the authority to deliver across the board improvements, the report follows a recent inspection by HM Inspectorate for Education in Wales (Estyn).

In contrast to an adverse report received in 2001, both strategic management and school improvement services are now judged as fair, with promising prospects for improvement.

The report confirms that the performance of pupils in Vale primary and secondary schools is "consistently above the national average."

Noting that the council has increased its spending per pupil at a faster rate than any other authority in Wales, the report also highlights the Vale's commitment to the service through the provision of extra capital funding.

The council, the report says, provides effective support to schools, while partners such as Barry College report high levels of satisfaction with current working arrangements.

The report adds that headteachers have more trust and greater confidence in the authority and its officers, and the council has done much to improve consultation with teachers.

Vale Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Tony Hampton, who is also chairman of the Welsh Joint Education Committee, said: "The progress made in school improvement and strategic management is extremely pleasing, and a credit to all involved.

"It is clear that our progress has depended upon the efforts of officers, the support of schools and a determination by councillors to make the necessary changes.

"Whilst the report is very positive, it also highlights a number of issues which remain to be tackled.

"The Council Cabinet will consider these matters and ensure that they are addressed, so that the significant improvements identified by Estyn are built upon in the future.