Latest news with #YsgolUwchraddAberteifi
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Maths standards in Wales too low, watchdog says
Maths standards in Wales are too low with wide variations in the quality of teaching, according to the schools watchdog. A report by Estyn inspectors said there was a "concerning decline" in the support and training available for maths teachers and a lack of understanding of the new Curriculum for Wales. Welsh teenagers' performance in maths slumped in the last Pisa international tests, falling further behind other parts of the UK Chief Inspector of Education Owen Evans said too many pupils were not reaching their full potential in the subject. 'Defiance' from parents over bad school behaviour Fruit juice 'not fruit' in school food shakeup plan He said: "Strong mathematics education is fundamental not just to individual futures, but to Wales's future prosperity." The report said inspectors saw "aspects of effective teaching and leadership of mathematics" but overall "the quality of teaching of mathematics was too variable and pupils' standards in mathematics were too low". Problems included teachers planning tasks to keep pupils busy rather than focusing on what they wanted them to learn, and not challenging students enough. It said education was most effective where teachers had high expectations and pupils were challenged but "in a majority of cases, pupils' progress was limited by aspects of poor teaching". "Pupils who had positive attitudes and enjoyed learning mathematics generally made the best progress," the report said. Some schools involved parents, including arranging classes for them. Estyn praised one school - Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi in Cardigan, Ceredigion - where all teachers in the department told pupils they were not allowed to say they were weak at maths and there was a policy that all teachers had to talk positively about the subject. Other concerns in the report included "a lack of understanding of Curriculum for Wales requirements and guidance" and teachers often did not know who to approach to answer any questions. Inspectors said the variation in the quality of teaching was "partly linked to a reduction in subject-specific support across Wales" adding there was "a lack of professional associations or groups in Wales from which teachers of mathematics could seek advice". School leaders told Estyn it was increasingly difficult to recruit maths specialists and "as a result there is a growing number of non-specialist teachers". The report said the quality of teacher training courses for maths was also "too variable". Estyn said Pisa results supported evidence that standards in maths were too low and the performance of girls in particular had "deteriorated considerably" since 2018-19. "In 2023-2024, females on average performed about a third of a grade worse in mathematics and numeracy than in 2018-2019," the report said. The gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their classmates had also widened. The report looked at the teaching of maths for seven to 16-year-olds, and was based on inspection evidence and visits to a sample of schools. It said weak skills in maths had "a significant effect on the economy" and "within an increasingly digital and technical age, the need for appropriate standards of numeracy is more important than ever". Chief Inspector Owen Evans added: "Too many pupils in Wales are not reaching their full potential in mathematics because the quality of teaching and leadership varies so widely between schools. "We need to raise expectations for all learners and provide our teachers with the subject-specific training and support they need to help every pupil succeed." Most lessons in English to be phased out in Welsh county 'We must stop mollycoddling kids' says Saturday detentions head teacher Five things inspectors say about Wales' schools
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Maths standards in Wales too low, says Estyn in report
Maths standards in Wales are too low with wide variations in the quality of teaching, according to the schools watchdog.A report by Estyn inspectors said there was a "concerning decline" in the support and training available for maths teachers and a lack of understanding of the new Curriculum for teenagers' performance in maths slumped in the last Pisa international tests, falling further behind other parts of the UK Chief Inspector of Education Owen Evans said too many pupils were not reaching their full potential in the subject. He said: "Strong mathematics education is fundamental not just to individual futures, but to Wales's future prosperity."The report said inspectors saw "aspects of effective teaching and leadership of mathematics" but overall "the quality of teaching of mathematics was too variable and pupils' standards in mathematics were too low".Problems included teachers planning tasks to keep pupils busy rather than focusing on what they wanted them to learn, and not challenging students said education was most effective where teachers had high expectations and pupils were challenged but "in a majority of cases, pupils' progress was limited by aspects of poor teaching"."Pupils who had positive attitudes and enjoyed learning mathematics generally made the best progress," the report schools involved parents, including arranging classes for them. Estyn praised one school - Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi in Cardigan, Ceredigion - where all teachers in the department told pupils they were not allowed to say they were weak at maths and there was a policy that all teachers had to talk positively about the concerns in the report included "a lack of understanding of Curriculum for Wales requirements and guidance" and teachers often did not know who to approach to answer any said the variation in the quality of teaching was "partly linked to a reduction in subject-specific support across Wales" adding there was "a lack of professional associations or groups in Wales from which teachers of mathematics could seek advice".School leaders told Estyn it was increasingly difficult to recruit maths specialists and "as a result there is a growing number of non-specialist teachers".The report said the quality of teacher training courses for maths was also "too variable".Estyn said Pisa results supported evidence that standards in maths were too low and the performance of girls in particular had "deteriorated considerably" since 2018-19."In 2023-2024, females on average performed about a third of a grade worse in mathematics and numeracy than in 2018-2019," the report gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their classmates had also report looked at the teaching of maths for seven to 16-year-olds, and was based on inspection evidence and visits to a sample of said weak skills in maths had "a significant effect on the economy" and "within an increasingly digital and technical age, the need for appropriate standards of numeracy is more important than ever".Chief Inspector Owen Evans added: "Too many pupils in Wales are not reaching their full potential in mathematics because the quality of teaching and leadership varies so widely between schools."We need to raise expectations for all learners and provide our teachers with the subject-specific training and support they need to help every pupil succeed."
Western Telegraph
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Western Telegraph
First Minister Eluned Morgan visits Cardigan's Barley Saturday 2025
The historic event, with its unique parade of stallions, drew spectators from far and wide to enjoy the lively atmosphere, smartly turned-out horses and gleaming vintage vehicles. And amongst the crowds was Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, who said afterwards: "Brilliant to be at Barley Saturday today! 'It's one of the local highlights of the year - a celebration of Cardigan's deep farming roots, local produce and the incredible sense of community that makes this part of Wales so special. First Minister Eluned hitches a ride aboard Ken Symmons' tractor. (Image: Stuart Ladd) 'Thirty one years ago, my first visit (was) where I went on the back of a gambo led by an amazing horse! 'It was wonderful to return today to see how much it has grown and developed with thousands lining the route." The Supreme Champion leads the parade. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Barley Saturday's history stretches way back to 1871 when horsepower was king and motorised vehicles were still three decades in the future. It keeps alive a long-held tradition, whilst bridging the divide between the country and the town, said show secretary Tudor Harries. Welsh Cob Section D winner, Abergavenny Flash Harry, owned by Karla Gardner of Menai Stud, Pantydefaid and shown bv Thomas Jones. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Barley Saturday got underway at 11am with the stallion show on the playing fields of Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi. The streets were packed for the event. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Overnight rain and a damp morning deterred a few of the entrants, but there was still an encouraging turnout of 50 stallions and a further ten exhibits in the turnout and harness classes. A stallion is put through his paces in the show ring. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Mr Harries added: 'We had healthy classes of Shires and Shetlands, and it was good to see a number of new exhibitors. They all seemed to enjoy the day. The Supreme Champion on a victory run through the town. (Image: Stuart Ladd) 'What makes Barley Saturday special is there's no big pressure, everybody had a smile of their face, and people are happy to come along to see the tradition continuing.' These youngsters are helping to keep the Barley Saturday tradition alive. (Image: Stuart Ladd) Mr Harries particularly thanked the day's sponsors who help to offset the event costs of around £10,000. 'We have rising costs every year, so sponsorship, however small is very valued,' he said. Action from the unique parade of stallions. (Image: Stuart Ladd) The 2pm parade through the town was preceded on foot by the parade marshal, vintage secretary Mark Jukes and was headed by show president Mrs Helen Jones, of Castell Howell, her husband, Brian, and show chairman Geraint James and his wife Sian, of Awen Teifi, riding in a carriage drawn by John Fletcher's 'Gentle Giants'. The show organisers were pleased with the 'healthy' turnout of stallions. (Image: Stuart Ladd) The supreme champion stallion was Dane Valley Lord Louis, a three-year-old Shire owned by Joe Durman of Eagle Shires, Llandeilo who led the horse parade A spirited stallion display in the show ring. (Image: Stuart Ladd) A steady stream of vintage vehicles, including cars and tractors of all makes, shapes and sizes, followed hard on their heels. Vintage tractors on parade. (Image: Stuart Ladd) The reserve champion stallion was Cruglwyd Rhuban Glas, a three-year-old Welsh cob from Capel Iwan. This gleaming vintage car was a head-turner. (Image: Stuart Ladd) The heavy horse/harness turnout supreme was won by Kim and Dawn Hawker of Laugharne's private exercise vehicle with Shetland pony Wern Ferlig Douglas between the shafts. Reserve was Paul Munder from Salem's tradesmans's vehicle, pulled by Fred the Shetland. The Best Tradesman turnout and reserve heavy horse/turnout awards were won by Paul Munder of Salem. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
Western Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Western Telegraph
Barley Saturday, Cardigan 2025
Lots to look forward to! Barley Saturday, Cardigan's most eagerly-anticipated day of the year, enjoys a tradition stretching way back to 1871 when horsepower was king and motorised vehicles were still three decades in the future. The unique event, renowned for the running of the parade of stallions through the town centre, has launched with the stallion show on the playing fields of Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi at 11am. The countdown is on to the parade, which is an unique event in Wales. (Image: Stuart Ladd)
