Merthyr Tydfil’s Education Service Continues To Improve

Last week the national statistics, published by Welsh Government, showed that the percentage of pupils in Merthyr Tydfil achieving the expected level at seven years old, 11 years old and 14 years old has continued to rise. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For the first time, performance in Merthyr Tydfil is above the Welsh average at each of these key stages and while the gender gap grows across Wales, the gap is narrowing in primary schools in Merthyr Tydfil. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This achievement is a result of committing to a vison shared across all schools in the County Borough that children and young people in Merthyr Tydfil can, and should, achieve their very best and as a result can compete with children and young people across Britain and internationally. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Collaborative school improvement is at the heart of this vison; Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council firmly believes that head teachers, school staff and governors have the skills and expertise to drive on school improvement and is committed to working in partnership with schools to create the right conditions for staff to work together, and to improve practice within and across all schools. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Harvey Jones, Porfolio Member for Learning, said: “These successes are the result of four years hard work by children and young people, their families, schools and the Local Authority, and a relentless focus on what makes a difference – high quality leadership, teaching and learning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would like to congratulate everyone on the combined effort. As a result, this year 60 more children have achieved the expected level than last year, which will have a long-term positive impact on their lives.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​