ALMOST 60 per cent of schools in Blaenau Gwent are judged to be good while more than 40 per cent are deemed adequate or unsatisfactory, according to Estyn reports published since 2010.

A report to the education and skills scrutiny committee said that since the current inspection framework was introduced in September 2010 and up until the autumn term in 2014, a total of 17 schools have been inspected.

A report into the outcomes of the inspections and monitoring reports found that no schools have achieved a rating of ‘excellent’ but almost 60 per cent of schools have achieved a judgement of good in relation to performance while 70 per cent of schools are judged to have good prospects for improvement.

Only three schools have not required any further monitoring or follow-up by the local authority or Estyn but over 40 per cent have been placed in a follow-up category of Estyn monitoring, significant improvement or special measures.

A report by Alun Williams, head of school improvement and inclusion, said that the collective performance of schools in Blaenau Gwent between 2013 to 2014 and 2010 to 2014 is weaker than performance across Wales as a whole and when compared to the majority of other local authorities.

Estyn has notified the authority that it is carrying out inspections at Brynbach Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg during the spring term.

A report on St Mary’s Church in Wales Primary was received following an Estyn monitoring visit in September 2014 and was subsequently removed from Estyn monitoring. Roseheyworth Millennium Primary and Glyncoed Primary have also been removed from Estyn monitoring.

No schools in the county were inspected, nor reports of school inspections received during the autumn term of 2014.

The report concludes that the education and skills scrutiny committee recognises that the post-inspection actions plans and intervention plans for schools that have been placed in an Estyn follow-up category are being monitored appropriately.

The outcomes and recommendations are due to be scrutinised by the committee at a meeting held in the council chamber at Blaenau Gwent council headquarters on April 21.