WIREDGOV

Schools Challenge Cymru is delivering real and unprecedented improvements for learners in some of Wales’ most challenged schools, Education Minister, Huw Lewis has said recently.

Speaking about this year’s GCSE results, the Minister said early indications from the schools participating in the  Welsh Government’s School Challenge Cymru programme were that the majority had seen an increase in their GCSE results after just one year of additional support.

Schools Challenge Cymru is the Welsh Government’s multi-million pound, programme which aims to improve performance in 40  of Wales’ most challenged schools.

The participating schools are being collectively  supported by up to £20m of additional funding along with an individually tailored programme of support.
Of the 40 Challenge schools,  around two thirds have recently reported an improvement in the number of their pupils gaining 5 or more good GCSEs this summer.

Furthermore schools such as  St Cenydd, Tonypandy and Pentrehafod have reported their best ever results.

Education Minister, Huw Lewis said recently:

"The GCSE results that our Challenge schools are reporting today really are worthy of particular praise.

“These are some of our most challenged schools and to see some of them reporting percentage improvement in the double figures  really is  remarkable.

“This morning  I visited Blackwood Comprehensive who were reporting improvements of over 10% and other schools like St Cenydd,  Pentrehafod and Tonypandy are reporting the best set of results they have ever seen.

“I am also delighted that schools including Bishop Hedley, Pen y Dre and Ysgol Clywedog are reporting not only improvements  on last year’s results but also a  narrowing of  the gap between learners from more and less advantaged backgrounds.

"This really is incredible stuff and something that will make a very real and tangible difference to the futures of many of our young people living in less advantaged areas of Wales.”

Schools Challenge Cymru Champion, Professor Mel Ainscow said:

“We have seen some truly outstanding improvements  from a number of schools participating in the Schools Challenge Cymru. We must remember that these are some of our most challenged schools from some of our most disadvantaged communities  and to see this level of improvement after just one year of intervention really is something to celebrate.

“Well done to the pupils and their teachers. Results like this follow a great deal of hard work and commitment and we will be building on this success as we move into the second year of the programme.”