Gwent Education Achievement Service Faces Uncertainty Over Future Plans
The Gwent Education Achievement Service’s future is unclear as councils debate partnerships and funding, impacting local schools and staff.
Gwent, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Wales
Monmouthshire: The Education Achievement Service helps schools and councils improve standards. They also support governing bodies.
Monmouthshire County Council is extending its partnership with Newport, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent. However, Caerphilly Borough Council’s future involvement is uncertain.
The EAS is currently a company with directors from five councils. Monmouthshire wants to change it back to a partnership while keeping current staff.
But, the future of this partnership is unclear. Caerphilly hasn’t committed yet, raising concerns about funding and staff retention.
Councillor Martyn Groucutt from Monmouthshire said talks with Caerphilly are ongoing. He noted that clarity on their position is needed soon.
Conservative leader Cllr Richard John expressed concern about Caerphilly’s potential isolation in school improvement efforts. He supports the partnership model for better curriculum access.
Cllr Groucutt mentioned that Monmouthshire and other councils are too small to provide individual improvement services effectively.
The Welsh Government is reviewing the “middle tier” between schools and councils. They now expect councils to partner with at least one other authority.
Monmouthshire estimates that creating its own service would cost £1.3 million, requiring cuts from school budgets, and staff may not be available.
The Gwent EAS is unique in Wales as a company.