A Guide to Improvement Resources
About our improvement resources
Here you’ll find resources to support those working in education and training in raising standards for learners.
Our resources consist of thematic reports, effective practice, additional resources, as well as our annual reports.
Effective practice
When we see interesting and innovative practice during an inspection, we’re always keen to share it. We invite schools and other providers to write case studies when we think they have something important to share.
Creating a rich and stimulating learning environment that stems from the children’s observations and interests.
Information about the setting The setting is a Welsh-medium early years setting based within Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt, Wrexham. It is registered to care for up to 57 children aged two to four years, and provides a warm, nurturing environment where children are supported to develop through play and purposeful learning experiences. The setting … Continued
Supportive arrangements for transition to school for children and their families.
Information about the setting Montgomery preschool is an English medium setting providing early years education and childcare hours for three- and four-year-olds. It is situated in the village of Montgomery. The setting rents the Activity Centre located next to the local primary school, and is managed by the headteacher of the local primary school, who … Continued
The effective use of sign language by practitioners to encourage children’s communication skills
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice Ysgol Feithrin y Trallwng is a Welsh medium early years setting co-located with Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng (Welshpool). The age range is 2 to 4 years. It offers places to Flying Start, 3+ Educational Offer and Childcare Offer. They use a language program that incorporates signs, … Continued
Supporting children with additional learning needs.
Information about the setting Standing to Grow is a sessional day care setting registered to provide childcare and education for 32 children daily. The setting is registered with Care Inspectorate Wales and Estyn. Currently having 53 children, 17 of these receiving education funding including five children receiving the education support package of 12 hours and one receiving 10 hours additional support, all with an … Continued
Provision that inspires children’s curiosity and skills through learning experiences in the wooded area.
Information about the setting Plas Gogerddan Nursery, is located in a picturesque rural setting on the outskirts of Aberystwyth. The nursery is surrounded by rural life with wonderful outdoor areas to explore, including a developed woodland space where the approach to outdoor learning fosters children’s curiosity and skill development in a natural environment. Its philosophy … Continued
Support for pupils’ future pathways and careers
Information about the school/provider: Y Pant Comprehensive School in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is an English-medium school with 1444 pupils, 1178 of whom are of statutory school age. 1.1% of pupils speak English as an additional language. Around 9.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is below the national average, and around 12.7% … Continued
Collaborative Leadership
Information about the school/provider: Y Pant Comprehensive School in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is an English-medium school with 1444 pupils, 1178 of whom are of statutory school age. 1.1% of pupils speak English as an additional language. Around 9.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is below the national average, and around 12.7% … Continued
The co-ordination of the provision for the progressive development of pupils’ skills
Information about the school/provider Bishopston Comprehensive School is an English-medium 11 to 16 mixed comprehensive school situated in the Gower near Swansea. There are 1128 pupils on roll, with 6.12% of pupils being eligible for free school meals. Most of the school’s pupils speak English as their first language and most come from a white British background. Very few … Continued
A whole-school approach to the development of creativity
Information about the school/provider Bishopston Comprehensive School is an English-medium 11 to 16 mixed comprehensive school situated in the Gower, near Swansea. There are 1128 pupils on roll, with 6.12% of pupils being eligible for free school meals. Most of the school’s pupils speak English as their first language and most come from a white British background. Very … Continued
Provision for developing pupils’ reading and oral skills
Information about the school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaun opened in September 1995. It serves children and young people in the Cynon Valley and Merthyr Tydfil. There are 1,026 pupils at the school, along with 118 in the sixth form. Twelve point one per cent (12.1%) of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Context and … Continued
Thematic reports
Each year, the Cabinet Secretary for Education asks our Chief Inspector for advice on a range of themes in relation to education and training. Our thematic reports help to inform policy development and to monitor progress.
Teaching the Curriculum for Wales
Executive Summary This thematic report focuses on how effectively schools are developing and embedding approaches to teaching within the Curriculum for Wales. Drawing on inspection evidence, visits to school settings (14 primary schools, 10 secondary schools and one all age school) and stakeholder feedback, it identifies key characteristics of successful practice and areas requiring further … Continued
Learner Behaviour in Further Education Colleges
Executive summary This report examines learner behaviour within further education (FE) colleges across Wales. It focuses on the factors that influence positive and negative behaviours, as well as the variations in behaviour across different learner groups and learning programmes. The report considers how colleges promote positive behaviours and manage negative behaviours, alongside the support and … Continued
Thematic report – The additional learning needs system
To turn on English subtitles, click the CC button Executive summary This report considers how well the funded non-maintained settings, maintained primary, secondary and all-age schools that participated in the review are implementing and embedding aspects of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET) and the accompanying Additional Learning Needs (ALN) … Continued
Thematic Report: Impact of poverty on educational attainment, support, provision and transition for early education
Executive Summary This report considers how effective the support and provision provided by early years education providers is at addressing the adverse effects of poverty and disadvantage on early years children. It focuses on how well local authorities and school improvement services support these providers in early years pedagogical approaches and how best to support … Continued
Thematic Report: Transition and pupil progression
To turn on English subtitles, click the CC button Executive summary This report considers how well schools work together to support pupils’ transition from primary into secondary school. It focuses on how well schools work together to ensure that their curricula and teaching develop pupils’ knowledge, skills, understanding and learning behaviours effectively across transition. It … Continued
Thematic Report: Developing pupils’ Welsh reading skills from 10-14 years of age
To turn on English subtitles, click the CC button Executive summary Following the publication of a report on pupils’ English reading skills from 10-14 years of age by Estyn in May 2023, we set out to produce a report on how Welsh and bilingual schools develop pupils’ Welsh reading skills across the curriculum. In autumn … Continued
Improving attendance in secondary schools
This report focuses on the strategies and actions that secondary schools were employing in order to improve pupils’ attendance. It also considers the support provided by local authorities. The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement in practice and the barriers school leaders identified to pupils attending school and therefore improving attendance. It also includes cameos and case studies of effective practice.
Improving attendance in secondary schools – training materials
This PowerPoint is a way for providers to share the main findings of the report and review their own performance in a particular thematic area. The presentations summarise the report and include questions which providers can consider when looking to improve.
Delivery of Essential Skills Wales qualifications in apprenticeship programmes
This report considers the delivery of Essential Skills Wales (ESW) qualifications in Welsh Government-funded apprenticeships in Wales. Essential Skills Wales are a suite of qualifications intended to develop and confirm learners’ communication, application of number and digital literacy skills. Apprentices – unless they already have certain qualifications which allow exemption – are required to attain specified ESW qualifications to achieve their full apprenticeship framework.
Jobs Growth Wales+ youth programme: Autumn 2023 insights
This report summarises the findings from four regional Jobs Growth Wales+ monitoring visits conducted between October 2022 and June 2023. The report is based on the information gathered from the Welsh Government, lead and sub-contractor providers, participants, employers, Working Wales, and key staff in local authorities.
Additional resources
We also publish additional resources to support the work of education professionals.