WAQ75692 (e) Tabled on 19/01/2018

What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the implementation of all requirements under the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 by Welsh schools?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Education | Answered on 25/01/2018

The Schools Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (the 2013 Act) deals with a range of matters but primarily deals with school organisation proposals, interventions in schools and the education service of the local authority. It is not clear from your questions if you are referring to the primary purpose of the Act, however for the purpose of providing you with a clear response I have made the assumption that you are, and I would expect schools and local authorities to continue to meet the expectations as set out in law.

 

I can confirm that whilst a formal review has not taken place regarding the overall impact of the 2013 Act, however, as you know we are embarking on our biggest educational reform in Wales, I have been clear in the publication of Education in Wales; our national mission how I intend to continue to assess progress of our reforms.

 

In terms of intervention taken by local authorities officials carried out exercises in December 2013 and December 2015 asking local authorities to provide Welsh Government with copies of all warning notices issued to schools since the commencement of the provisions in February 2014 and information regarding whether those schools have complied with the warning notices and if not, what action authorities have taken and what interventions they have put in place to address the issues

 

An impact assessment was completed as part of the establishment of the Act and this can be found as part of the explanatory memorandum at the following link.  No subsequent impact assessment has been carried out but as noted above we have carried out an exercise to assess the use of warning notices under the2013 Act.

 

http://www.assembly.wales/Laid%20Documents/PRI-LD8878-EM%20-%20School%20Standards%20and%20Organisation%20(Wales)%20Bill%20-%20Explanatory%20Memorandum-23042012-232782/pri-ld8878-em-e-English.pdf