Support offered after report criticises Wrexham Council’s education services

The Welsh Government has expressed its disappointment with Wrexham Council’s education department following the publication of a damning report.

Estyn, the education inspectorate for Wales, published its first report on Wrexham Council’s education services in a decade just before Christmas.  It judged local education services as ‘causing significant concern’, highlighting a lack of progress and leadership at a local level.

Wrexham Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths wrote to Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government and has received a response from the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, outlining the next steps and the support in place to help the Local Authority bring about the required improvements.

In the letter, the Welsh Government states it is ‘disappointed’ with the outcome of the inspection.

Moving forward, Estyn has provided the Local Authority with a number of recommendations.  As a consequence, Wrexham Council will be expected to update its improvement plans to show how it’s going to address them.

Welsh Government officials will be participating in a series of ‘post-inspection improvement conferences’ in which Estyn will monitor and review the Local Authority’s progress, as well as seek assurances the plans are robust.

The Welsh Government’s Director of Education will also be meeting with the Chief Executive of Wrexham Council later this month to discuss what action the Authority needs to take to make the improvements and identify the support the Authority needs to assist them in this process.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Estyn’s report underlines some serious reservations regarding Wrexham Council’s handling of education services and I remain extremely concerned the ruling Tory/Independent administration has not got to grips with the situation.”

“After the report was published, I wrote to Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government and I am grateful to the Education Minister for her immediate response.  Clearly, the Welsh Government recognises Wrexham Council’s difficulties and plans are in place to help bring about improvements.”

“The Local Authority must address the shortcomings identified as swiftly as possible to ensure children and young people in Wrexham receive the level of education they deserve.”

“I am meeting with Wrexham Council Education officials in the coming weeks and will continue to monitor developments.”