Replacing the banding system with a new school categorisation model

Last year, the banding system was described by a spokesman on behalf of UCAC as one which was 'entirely devoid of meaning ... 'arbitrary and undependable' ...  'extremely ineffective ' and called for 'the system in its entirety ... to be scrapped'. The discussion that took place was evidence that the Welsh Government had listened to our concerns and in that respect as a union we welcome the announcement. 

 

The categorisation system will consider leadership along with teaching and learning with careful consideration of data and self evaluation. Primary and secondary schools will be part of the  categorisation system  and there is an emphasis on consistency within and across consortia.

 

We continue to await full details of the arrangements and have written to the Department of Education and Skills this week for additional information. Officials of the union will be discussing the implication of the categorisation system with the four consortia. UCAC would welcome comments from head teachers and teachers  on the impact categorisation has in standards and workload.