Failing schools

18  Few schools in Wales have been identified formally as failing to provide an acceptable level of education and in need of special measures. This is to the great credit of schools themselves. It also reflects OHMCI's methods of giving additional regular attention to under-performing schools with fewer than two out of 10 pupils achieving 5 GCSE grades A*-C, or in other ways giving cause for concern. In future, primary and secondary schools whose results fall in the lowest 25 per cent in the range of performance will automatically receive special attention. OHMCI reviews all post-inspection action plans carefully: where schools do not set sufficiently challenging targets for improvement, they are required to revise them. Progress in acting on the plans is followed up with support and guidance from OHMCI throughout.

19  Should a school in Wales identified by the inspectorate as needing special measures ever fail to respond then we propose that action should be taken to give it a fresh start. This could mean closure, and the transfer of pupils to other more successful schools or the introduction of new management, for example. The intention would be that some of the legal and administrative barriers to a fresh start would be removed, and the Secretary of State should have powers to compel a local authority to close a failing school where that appeared the best course.

20  In addition to this, there may be scope for instituting early warning procedures so that where an LEA itself had concerns about a school then it might invite the governing body to prepare an action plan. Where the governors failed to submit a plan, or to implement one, then the LEA might be justified in withdrawing budgetary delegation or appointing additional governors - as it can when a school comes under special measures now. On top of that, LEAs might be able to ask OHMCI to carry out a full inspection ahead of the normal schedule.

Question for consultation: How can the proposed early warning procedure strike a balance between the respective duties of the school and the LEA over raising standards?
 
 
Review of the independent inspection system

21  The independent inspection system in Wales operates to a distinctive cycle and framework of requirements. It will be reviewed by OHMCI before the end of the present cycle for the primary and secondary sectors. Consultation will begin later in the year. It is axiomatic that:

• all schools will continue to be subject to regular inspection; and

• the next cycle should take account of the experience of, and data gathered in, the previous one.

22  Amongst other things OHMCI will be consulting on:

• the place of school self-assessment between inspections;

• the extent to which all schools should be subject to the same level of inspection;

• the degree to which inspections should give greater attention to classroom practice.

23  OHMCI will begin to inspect LEAs' work on school improvement by undertaking a general review of the approaches currently adopted by LEAs first. OHMCI will lead any inspection involving the Audit Commission.
 
 
The Welsh Office: drawing the threads together

24  The Department has a continuing responsibility for giving effect to Ministers' wishes that it should take a lead and create a climate conducive to good educational results. Richard Davies heads the Welsh Office Education Department. It includes the Schools Administration and Performance Divisions, led by Elizabeth Taylor and John Howells respectively, with key responsibilities for raising standards. Together with the Further and Higher Education Division led by Derek Adams they work closely with the training arm of the Welsh Office Industry and Training Department headed by Derek Jones. Amongst other things the Welsh Office will operate to:

• assist in reducing class sizes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds;

• support the Education and Training Action Group;

• concert the efforts of FEFCW, HEFCW, ACAC, the TTA Unit in Wales, the NCET, and the Welsh Office Statistical Directorate working conjointly with OHMCI, LEAs and others;

• take forward, and regularly report on, the programme for school improvement set out in this White Paper;

• advise the Secretary of State on his annual remit for OHMCI based on the objectives in this White Paper;

• work with local authorities to institute Education Strategic Plans and publish data of value to the education services in Wales generally.