‘Lack of Leadership Support Leaving Welsh Schools Struggling’ says Fox

Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has asked Welsh Government to address leadership challenges across Welsh Schools.

During questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Monmouth MS raised concerns about the Welsh Government not providing an environment for good leadership in schools.

Mr Fox stated that strong leadership at every level of education in Wales is essential, but highlighted that Estyn raising several concerns, such as being clear that local government support on attendance has had limited impact, with Monmouthshire seeing a rise in absenteeism since the pandemic as an example.

The Monmouth MS stated that Welsh schools were struggling to maintain even a basic leadership capacity due to a lack of staff and an over-dependence on agency workers.

Mr Fox asked the Welsh Government for action to strengthen leadership at every level across Wales, so that schools could meet Estyn’s expectations to improve, and criticised Welsh Labour for not providing the conditions needed for stronger leadership across the board.

Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has said:

“Welsh schools are consistently lacking in league tables when compared to the rest of the UK, and when the comparison is made to the rest of the world, its damning.

“For too long, Welsh Labour have been failing our pupils, teachers and schools by a lack of funding and direction.

“If head teachers don’t have the support they need from government, how can they possibly hope to turn things around? The Welsh Government must provide the environment for them to succeed, which they are currently failing to do.

“This is another example in Wales, like our health service, that an over-reliance on agency staff has on consistency and stability.

“Welsh Labour need to get a grip on this and focus on training teachers and leaders for the future, rather than patching over the problem and hoping it goes away.”