NAHT Cymru comments on Estyn Annual Report

Commenting on the Estyn Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2020-21 published today (Weds 1 Dec),Laura Doel, director of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:

“We are pleased to see that the report calls for wellbeing to be a priority in schools and mirrors our own findings about the pressure schools have been under as a result of the pandemic.

“The report clearly articulates the struggles faced by schools and the continued disruption, but most importantly acknowledges and praises the tremendous efforts our schools leaders, teachers and teaching assistants have gone to by way of distance learning and making up for any lost time out of the classroom.

“The innovation, the dedication and the determination of school leaders shines through in Estyn’s findings and it is testimony to the crucial role the profession has played during the pandemic.

“What is troubling about the report is the fact that school leaders in primary, secondary and special schools have put the wellbeing of their staff and learners above their own and the impact this has had on their personal relationships and daily life.

“Increased levels of stress and anxiety will have an impact on school leaders mental and physical health and this is an issue that must be addressed.

“Schools are trying to deal with a pandemic which is having a crippling ability of schools to deliver education. Soaring levels of staff absence is taking its toll on all staff that remain on site as they try to pick up the pieces. We must now turn our attention to building capacity in schools to deliver statutory education and how we are going to support schools to do this.

“We urge the Welsh Government to look at the findings in this report and immediately reconsider the ambitious reform agenda that it continues to add to. For our members, that means abandoning any plans to review the school day and year in the short term, push back the rollout of the new curriculum for those schools that are not ready and allow schools to focus on their core business of teaching and learning.”

Kerina Hanson, president of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said: “The recognition that schools have shown perseverance, creativity and flexibility is heartening – it is indeed a huge achievement. We agree that schools will continue to need that innovative approach to leadership, teaching and learning as we prepare for Curriculum for Wales, however, we must also acknowledge that many leaders are feeling close to exhaustion. School leaders and schools need time and space to recover, to find that energy and innovative mindset, so that they can make the changes needed properly. We believe this is vital to ensuring the success of Curriculum for Wales.”

Laura Doel and Kerina Hanson are available for interview.