Estyn highlights the importance of Welsh reading across the curriculum as negative impact of pandemic still affects standards

Many pupils’ reading skills have suffered as a result of the pandemic, A report published today by Estyn looks specifically at how Welsh and bilingual schools develop Welsh reading skills and shows that wide variations in the reading skills of 10 to 14-year-olds remain both within and across primary, secondary and all-age schools.

Estyn’s report, Developing pupils’ Welsh reading skills from 10-14 years of age,  highlights that the negative impact of the pandemic remains clear on the standard of pupils’ Welsh reading skills in general, with some pupils having lost the confidence to communicate and read in Welsh.

The report findings show that the most beneficial opportunities to develop reading skills could be seen in Welsh lessons or language sessions and within the humanities subjects. Many primary schools and a few secondary schools promoted reading for pleasure successfully. However, overall, experiences to promote reading outside of the classroom were seen to have decreased significantly since the pandemic, particularly in the secondary sector. 

The inspectorate recommends that schools strengthen opportunities for pupils to develop a variety of reading skills in subjects across the curriculum in addition to Welsh.

The report does highlight some challenges, particularly in secondary schools where co-ordinating the progressive development of reading skills consistently across the range of subjects and teachers is more difficult than in primary schools.

The report presents a number of recommendations for school leaders, local authorities and Welsh Government. In addition to the examples of good practice, the report includes suggestions within each chapter to help schools strengthen their work in developing pupils’ reading skills, as well as offering a suite of toolkits for teaching staff to support their work in promoting and enriching pupils’ reading skills.

Owen Evans, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said:

“It is unsurprising that we are still seeing the negative impact of the pandemic on the standard of pupils’ Welsh reading skills but our new report highlights good practice from schools and offers a number of suggestions and practical toolkits to support teachers in developing pupils’ Welsh reading skills. 

“There are clear opportunities to improve how clusters of schools can work together to effectively develop pupils’ reading skills and create more purposeful opportunities to develop Welsh reading skills across the curriculum.

“Improving the standard of pupils’ reading skills is a national priority and we hope this report will support schools to plan strategically and structure opportunities to increase pupils’ interest, resilience and confidence when reading in Welsh.”