Welsh attainment programme enters second phase

Wales' Attainment Champions pilot, designed to help tackle the impact of poverty on learner’s educational attainment, will be extended into a second phase to boost standards in schools.

The Welsh government said the pilot phase of the project showed the use of collaborative working, mentoring of partner schools and the sharing of innovative practices had a positive impact on students. 

Phase two will commence in September and will see additional partner schools recruited.

During the second phase, each Attainment Champion will be paired with additional partner schools to provide greater opportunity for learning and developing knowledge and best practice.

Providing peer-to-peer support to schools and helping to inform the Welsh government's policy around educational attainment, the Attainment Champions were appointed based on their progress in addressing the impact of poverty on educational attainment in their schools.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: "Sustained improvements in educational attainment are a top priority for the Welsh Government and this is an excellent example of our commitment to tackling the impact of poverty on educational attainment. 

"By bringing together leaders and schools across Wales we can collectively work in partnership to tackle the impact of poverty on our young people and improving outcomes for all children and young people in Wales.

"Attainment Champions, alongside a focus on the vital skills of literacy and numeracy, and the curriculum for Wales, will help raise standards and aspirations."