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| Failing Blaenau Gwent schools remain a concern, inspectors say | Failing Blaenau Gwent schools remain a concern, inspectors say |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Education and children's services are still failing in Blaenau Gwent, two years after the local education authority was placed into special measures. | Education and children's services are still failing in Blaenau Gwent, two years after the local education authority was placed into special measures. |
| A report by inspectors from Estyn found that services were "unsatisfactory", but noted some improvement in matters such as school attendance. | A report by inspectors from Estyn found that services were "unsatisfactory", but noted some improvement in matters such as school attendance. |
| The Welsh government said it was "very concerned" by the findings. | The Welsh government said it was "very concerned" by the findings. |
| But Blaenau Gwent council said it has had "limited time" to deliver progress. | But Blaenau Gwent council said it has had "limited time" to deliver progress. |
| In 2011, a report found "systemic" management failures and Blaenau Gwent accepted changes were needed for its 34 schools. | In 2011, a report found "systemic" management failures and Blaenau Gwent accepted changes were needed for its 34 schools. |
| Underperformance | Underperformance |
| A task force led by Neath Port Talbot council was also brought in by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. | A task force led by Neath Port Talbot council was also brought in by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. |
| Since then, five other authorities have faced recommendations to be placed in special measures - Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire and Torfaen. | Since then, five other authorities have faced recommendations to be placed in special measures - Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire and Torfaen. |
| In Estyn's latest report on Blaenau Gwent it found standards of achievement were unsatisfactory, particularly in secondary schools. | In Estyn's latest report on Blaenau Gwent it found standards of achievement were unsatisfactory, particularly in secondary schools. |
| The authority had also failed to meet any of the Welsh government benchmarks for attainment. | The authority had also failed to meet any of the Welsh government benchmarks for attainment. |
| According to the report: | According to the report: |
| 'Signs of improvement' | 'Signs of improvement' |
| In response, Blaenau Gwent council said: "Whilst the overall judgement of the report was unsatisfactory it has to be recognised that there has been limited time since the council was first placed in special measures in September 2011 to deliver progress in many areas. | In response, Blaenau Gwent council said: "Whilst the overall judgement of the report was unsatisfactory it has to be recognised that there has been limited time since the council was first placed in special measures in September 2011 to deliver progress in many areas. |
| "There are signs of improvement. As a result of the work that the council and the South East Wales Education Achievement Service (EAS) has been undertaking, the council has more accurate information on schools' performance and is beginning to use the data more systematically. | "There are signs of improvement. As a result of the work that the council and the South East Wales Education Achievement Service (EAS) has been undertaking, the council has more accurate information on schools' performance and is beginning to use the data more systematically. |
| "There has also been good progress in improving attendance in Blaenau Gwent schools. | "There has also been good progress in improving attendance in Blaenau Gwent schools. |
| "An action plan needs to be prepared now that the council's inspection report has been published by Estyn." | "An action plan needs to be prepared now that the council's inspection report has been published by Estyn." |
| A Welsh government spokesperson added: "We are very concerned by Estyn's findings. | A Welsh government spokesperson added: "We are very concerned by Estyn's findings. |
| "Performance at the local authority continues to be unsatisfactory and disappointing. | "Performance at the local authority continues to be unsatisfactory and disappointing. |
| "The minister [Leighton Andrews] will make a statement to assembly members to outline the actions we will be taking with regard to Blaenau Gwent." | "The minister [Leighton Andrews] will make a statement to assembly members to outline the actions we will be taking with regard to Blaenau Gwent." |