THE majority of Pembrokeshire’s schools have maintained their category grading according to the latest Welsh Government performance data.
The figures show that nine county schools have jumped up a category in 2016, therefore needing less support to improve, but eight schools have also seen there grading reduced.
This is the third year the National Categorisation System has been used to help identify those schools in need of support to improve. Schools are placed into one of four colour-coded support categories to demonstrate the level of support they need.
In Pembrokeshire it is Haverfordwest schools which have fared the worst with both Tasker Milward and Sir Thomas Picton classed as red, requiring the most support, as well as Haverfordwest VC School.
Sir Thomas Picton has dropped from its amber category in 2015.
Red category schools are in need of greatest improvement and will receive immediate, intensive support.
Pembroke Dock’s St Mary’s Catholic Primary is also in the red category.
Only Tasker Milward was included in 2015’s red category.
Green schools, needing the least support and considered highly effective, are Fenton Community Primary, Cleddau Reach VC School, Lamphey Primary School, Manorbier VCP School, Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Pembroke Dock Community School, Sageston Community Primary School, St Oswalds VA School, Tavernspite CP, Templeton, Wolfscastle CP and Ysgol y Frenni.
Ysgol y Preseli was moved to the green category from yellow last year.
Portfield Special School was also classed as green.
There were a number of schools moving from yellow down to amber, including Pembroke Secondary School, and vice versa.
However, the vast majority of local schools are placed in the yellow category. Yellow schools are considered effective, already doing well and knowing the areas needed to improve.
Amber schools are in need of improvement and will receive a full package of support.
The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor David Lloyd, said he welcomed the national process in support of schools in Pembrokeshire.
He added: “This year has once again seen increase in the number of primary schools in the Green and Yellow Support Categories.
“We now have 84 per cent of our primary schools in Pembrokeshire in categories requiring the lowest level of support - yellow and green.
“Our secondary schools are spread across the range of support categories, as appropriate to their current individual needs with one green, two yellow, three amber and two red.
“I am pleased to confirm that they are already gaining benefits from this valuable support system, in particular from its additional resources which are linked directly to their improvement needs.’’
Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams said: “This system is not about grading, labelling or creating crude league tables but about providing support and encouraging improvement in our schools. It is about putting schools into a position that helps them to identify areas they can strengthen and what they need to do achieve further improvements.
“The figures we have published today show that 84.4% of primary and 64.6% of secondary schools are now in the green and yellow categories. This increase is to be welcomed, as these schools will have a key role to play in supporting other schools, sharing their skills, expertise, and good practice. In this way they will be making a vital contribution to our national mission of driving forward improvements in Welsh schools and moving us towards a self-improving system.”
GREEN
Cleddau Reach VC School
Fenton Community Primary
Lamphey Primary School
Manorbier VCP School
Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary
Monkton Priory CP School
Pembroke Dock Community School
Portfield Special School
Prendergast School
St Oswals VA School
Tavernspite CP
Templeton
Wolfscastle CP
Ysgol y Frenni
Ysgol y Preseli
YELLOW
Angle VC School
Broad Haven CP
Cilgerran Church in Wales VC
Coastlands CP
Cosheston VC
Gelli Aur/Golden Grove
Ysgol Ger Y Llan
Ysgol Hafan y Mor
Hakin Community School
Holy Name RC School
Hook CP
Hubberston Church in Wales VC Nursery and Primary School
Maenclochog CP
Milford Haven Junior School
Mount Airey Community Nursersy and Infant
Narberth CP School
Neyland Community School
Orielton Community Primary School
Pennar Community School
Puncheston CP
Roch CP
Saundersfoot CP
Solva Community School
Spittal Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School
St Dogmaels CP
St Florence VC School
St Francis RC Primary School
St Mark’s VA School
St Teilo’s Catholic Primary School
St Aidan’s VA
Stackpole VC
Stepaside CP School
Tenby Juniors and Infants
Meads CP Infant and Nursery
Ysgol Bro Dewi
Ysgol Glan Cleddau
Ysgol Gymunedol Eglwyswrw
Ysgol Bro Gwaun
Ysgol Dewi Sant
AMBER
Johnston CP School
Ysgol Bro Ingli
Ysgol Brynconin CP
Ysgol Clydau
Ysgol Glannau Gwaun
Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch
Ysgol Gymunedol Wdig
Ysgol Llanychllwydog
Ysgol Greenhill
Pembroke School
Milford Haven School
RED
Haverfordwest VC School
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Tasker Milward School
Sir Thomas Picton
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