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| Failing Blaenau Gwent schools remain a concern, inspectors say | Failing Blaenau Gwent schools remain a concern, inspectors say |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Education services are still failing in Blaenau Gwent, two years after the 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. |
| Blaenau Gwent council said it has had "limited time" to deliver progress. | Blaenau Gwent council said it has had "limited time" to deliver progress. |
| Education Minister Leighton Andrews said there had been some improvements but "significant challenges" remain. | Education Minister Leighton Andrews said there had been some improvements but "significant challenges" remain. |
| 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 Mr Andrews. | A task force led by Neath Port Talbot council was also brought in by Mr 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: |
| 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. | "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. | "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." |
| The education minister said it was "clear that we underestimated the difficulties within the corporate culture within Blaenau Gwent". | The education minister said it was "clear that we underestimated the difficulties within the corporate culture within Blaenau Gwent". |
| 'Better understanding' | 'Better understanding' |
| "There are still very significant challenges facing us, but I think we can see some improvements have been made along the way," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "There are still very significant challenges facing us, but I think we can see some improvements have been made along the way," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
| "I think we have put in very significant support. We have had input from experienced council officials from educational backgrounds in good education authorities. | "I think we have put in very significant support. We have had input from experienced council officials from educational backgrounds in good education authorities. |
| "Turning an authority around does take time." | "Turning an authority around does take time." |
| The minister said he would be discussing the reports findings with officials on Monday, but also said Estyn had recognised some improvements at Blaenau Gwent. | The minister said he would be discussing the reports findings with officials on Monday, but also said Estyn had recognised some improvements at Blaenau Gwent. |
| "Attendance is going up, and we know that improved attendance is a bedrock for establishing improved attainment," he said. | "Attendance is going up, and we know that improved attendance is a bedrock for establishing improved attainment," he said. |
| "The support put in by the regional consortium in south-east Wales in respect of school improvement is making a difference. | "The support put in by the regional consortium in south-east Wales in respect of school improvement is making a difference. |
| "Thirdly, I think the report does say that local councillors now have a better understanding of what they have to do and have made significant progress in changing the way they work." | "Thirdly, I think the report does say that local councillors now have a better understanding of what they have to do and have made significant progress in changing the way they work." |