By Paul Dicken
16 July 2009
A project to improve the performance of disadvantaged school pupils in Wales has aided attendance and behaviour but has had no impact on performance, the education watchdog has said.
Estyn, the education and training inspectorate in Wales, published a report on the Raise Attainment and Individual Standards in Education (Raise) project on July 13. The scheme, launched three years ago, has an annual spend of around £14m.
The report said there had been no changes in the performance of pupils who received free school meals compared with general performance measures. However, subsequent years could provide evidence of longer-term trends.
Managing inspector Meilyr Rowlands said: ‘The impact of Raise has been significant on the development of pupils’ personal, learning and social skills.
‘We now need to ensure that the legacy of the funding has a long-term effect on improving standards and performance.’
The report said the Welsh Assembly Government initiative had not reached all disadvantaged pupils, as many schools used other criteria to target funding. However, achievement of pupils involved in targeted, Raise-funded work had improved, especially in reading.
Estyn said many schools would continue to provide targeted support using mainstream funding as the project ends this year. It added that ‘increased staff capability’ remains one of the main legacies of Raise.
16 July 2009
A project to improve the performance of disadvantaged school pupils in Wales has aided attendance and behaviour but has had no impact on performance, the education watchdog has said.
Estyn, the education and training inspectorate in Wales, published a report on the Raise Attainment and Individual Standards in Education (Raise) project on July 13. The scheme, launched three years ago, has an annual spend of around £14m.
The report said there had been no changes in the performance of pupils who received free school meals compared with general performance measures. However, subsequent years could provide evidence of longer-term trends.
Managing inspector Meilyr Rowlands said: ‘The impact of Raise has been significant on the development of pupils’ personal, learning and social skills.
‘We now need to ensure that the legacy of the funding has a long-term effect on improving standards and performance.’
The report said the Welsh Assembly Government initiative had not reached all disadvantaged pupils, as many schools used other criteria to target funding. However, achievement of pupils involved in targeted, Raise-funded work had improved, especially in reading.
Estyn said many schools would continue to provide targeted support using mainstream funding as the project ends this year. It added that ‘increased staff capability’ remains one of the main legacies of Raise.
