Description
Book SynopsisEssential reading for all involved in the educational sector in Wales (and beyond), A Class Apart investigates the effectiveness of educational policies, such as the Foundation Phase and Welsh Baccalaureate, introduced by the Welsh Government since devolution and assesses whether they have really created the potential for Wales to become a 'small, clever nation'. Spanning all major policy developments, from Primary to Higher Education, since 1999, Gareth Evans also assesses the legacy of the two main protagonists, former Education Ministers Jane Davidson and Leighton Andrews. He investigates the issues that some policymakers wished were swept under the carpet and delves deeper to analyse the big issues effecting educational practitioners in Wales, including: Welsh education's place on the world stage The growing funding gap between Wales and England The role of schools inspectorate Estyn The truth behind Wales' ambitious PISA target The 2012 GCSE grading fiasco Secrecy and personality clashes in the higher education merger saga His chronological account also includes the events up to and following the PISA results of 2013 and his close proximity to the key protagonists in Welsh education provides him with the perfect position to judge the situation in which Wales' education system finds itself today.
Trade Review"Gareth is Wales' most incisive commentator on education. He has built a reputation for fair and fearless analysis that gets beyond the spin." Lee Waters, Director, Institute of Welsh Affairs "Gareth is distinguished and trusted because he is a master of data mining and data, basing his reporting only on evidence rather than belief. " Sir John Cadogan, former Director General of the UK Research Councils and inaugural President of the Learned Society of Wales "Gareth provides the perspective of an analytical, insightful, bold and fearless writer whose primary motivation is to see the Welsh education system become increasingly successful. I am convinced that the issues raised in A Class Apart are applicable internationally. There are many lessons which we can all learn from the Welsh experience and the strategies that they have employed." Dr Avis Glaze, former Chief Student Achievement Officer of Ontario
Table of Contents1. The Times They Are-A Changing: Wales forges its own educational course 2. Measuring Success: Mixed reviews for education policy 3. Trading Places: The start of a white-knuckle ride for education in Wales 4. Wales' Leaning Tower: A wake-up call to a complacent system 5. Reform Gathers Speed: Collective responsibility for a sector in shock 6. The Qualifications Quandary: Shifting boundaries signal the end of three-country regulation 7. A University Challenge: The changing shape of Welsh higher education 8. Re-Make/ Re-Model: Forming an evidence-based for change 9. A Battle To Survive: Merger threat a Sword of Damocles 10. A Toxic Legacy?: Jane Davidson: The interview 11. Furthering Education: The fairytale of Wales' Cinderella sector 12. Running Wild: The enigma of local government and Wales' inspectorate 13. Out Of The Blue: The Cabinet creaks after a row over school places 14. End Of The Line: PISA heralds the start of a new chapter 15. A Time To Reflect: Leighton Andrews: The interview 16. Lessons Learnt?: A Conclusion
