Hello and welcome back to The Valleys Lead.
The latest PISA results (we’ll explain what these are below!) have raised fresh concerns about the state of education in Wales, with scores in reading, maths and science falling to historically low lows. But behind the statistics are deeper questions about inequality, teacher support, curriculum reform and whether Wales is giving every child the foundations they need to succeed.
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The Valleys Briefing
(A little round-up of some stories in brief from our valleys. Anytime you have something you’d like to share, no matter how big or small, email laurencrosbymedlicott@gmail.com):
DJ Mini Market, a shop selling illicit tobacco and vaping products in Merthyr Tydfil, was ordered to close by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court under section 80 of the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Closure Order was granted following an application from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team. The Court was told that Trading Standards had carried out several enforcement operations at the premise relating to the possession and supply of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes. Cllr David Jones, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Member for Public Protection said: “Illegal tobacco and vaping products pose real risks to public health. They are often unregulated and more accessible to children and young people. Robust enforcement action helps protect our communities from tobacco‑related harm.”
A Rhondda Cynon Taf Council report has stated there is still still “overwhelming public support” for dog controls in RCT. There are currently two public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) related to dog controls in RCT, one of which covers the whole borough and one of which is specific to Aberdare Park. The PSPOs ban dog fouling in all public places in RCT, require a person in charge of a dog to keep that dog on a lead at all times in cemeteries owned and/or maintained by the council, and they require a person in charge of a dog to carry bags or other suitable means for the disposal of dog faeces. The orders also require a person in charge of a dog to follow a direction given by an authorised officer if they deem reasonably necessary and that a dog be put and kept on a lead in a public within Rhondda Cynon Taf for such period and/or in such circumstances as directed by the authorised officer. They also include a ban excluding dogs from all schools, playgrounds, and marked sports pitches owned and/or maintained by the council and certain community council sites. The PSPOs are due to expire on 30 September and on 21 September the council’s cabinet will consider whether to extend them for another three years from 1 October.
Wales’ PISA results are a warning light. What’s gone wrong?
Earlier this month, the latest PISA results were published.
So, what are PISA scores? The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) measures how well 15-year-old students around the world can apply their reading, maths and science skills to real-life problems. The tests are organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Between 600,000 and 750,000 students around the world take part every three years. The goal isn’t simply to test what students know, but how effectively they can use that knowledge to think, analyse and solve problems.
The results for Wales weren’t great. Not great at all.
With the exception of science in 2022, Wales’ scores across all three domains are the lowest they have been since the country first participated in PISA in 2006.
The results for Wales since 2006 are shown below.
It’s also concerning to see how Wales compares with the other nations of the UK, as well as the OECD average. The graph below shows the comparison.
Why are these statistics a problem?
Danielle Jones, who was raised in the south Wales valleys, has acted as an Assistant Headteacher and education consultant, and is now Development Lead at the Centre for the Children’s Workforce and studying for an MA focused on fragmentation across the education system, told The Valleys Lead she was “deeply concerned” by the results, although not particularly surprised.
