Written Assembly Questions tabled on 13 December 2013 for answer on 20 December 2013
R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self identifying Question no. shown in brackets)
To ask the First Minister
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the First Minister detail the dates of all 2014 overseas trips, including purpose, itineraries, costs and attendees? (WAQ66158)
Answer received for publication on 2 January 2014
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): I do not publish details of overseas visits in advance but I issue a statement on my return.
To ask the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister advise how much money the Welsh Government has provided so far to support the proposed Circuit of Wales project? (WAQ66142)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport (Edwina Hart): I refer you to my response to WAQ61992.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister disclose the total number of flights per month and unique destinations at Cardiff Airport for every month since the Welsh Government's purchase, whilst also providing the total number of flights and unique destinations for the last complete month prior to its purchase by the Welsh Government? (WAQ66150)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Edwina Hart: This information is publicly available on the UK Airports Statistics section of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website www.caa.co.uk
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): What steps were taken following the 2004 Daugherty Report to introduce effective moderation of teacher assessments? (WAQ66143)
Answer received for publication on 6 Ionawr 2013
The Minister for Education and Skills (Huw Lewis): As a response to the recommendations made by the Daugherty Review (DARG Report, 2004) the Welsh Government moved away from statutory testing in favour of assessment and reporting based on moderated teacher assessment of pupil attainment at the end of Key Stages 2 and 3.
Detailed guidance on assessment, school-based standardisation and moderation is provided to schools and local authorities, annually. This highlights the importance of having robust systems and procedures which ensure that there is an agreed and shared understanding of national curriculum standards both within and between schools.
In addition the Welsh Government has delivered a rolling programme of external verification and moderation for schools, to support improvements in both the quality and consistency of teacher assessments. This has consisted of:
External verification of whole school systems and processes for assessment in secondary schools;
External moderation of end of key stage 3 assessment in secondary schools covering all core and non-core subject departments;
Pilot work to develop a programme of external moderation for end of Key Stage 2 assessment, working with secondary school led cluster groups.
Key Stage 2/3 Cluster group external moderation providing moderation of assessments of pupils’ attainment in English, Welsh and Welsh second language through examination of a sample of assessments completed by primary schools at the end of Key Stage 2 and the secondary school at the end of Key Stage 3.
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): How were the Daugherty proposals implemented following the 2004 statement from the then Education Minister? (WAQ66144)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Huw Lewis: In line with the recommendations of the Daugherty Assessment Review Group (DARG Report 2004) and the review of the school curriculum, undertaken by the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC), a number of important changes were made to assessment arrangements in Wales.
The Welsh Government moved away from a system of national statutory tests to a system of teacher assessment. The new assessment arrangements were:
An end to statutory end of key stage testing and a move to teacher assessment. This was implemented in 2004 and 2005. Test materials remained available until 2007 but these were non-statutory
The introduction of a programme of external moderation and verification of end of Key Stage 3 teacher assessments
The development of a non-statutory Skills Framework for 3 to 19 year olds covering Developing Thinking, Communication, ICT and Number Skills.
The introduction of Optional Skills Assessment Materials, implemented for national curriculum year (NCY) 5
Participation in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) programme.
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): How many secondary schools were given Accredited status by ACCAC (Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales) following the Daugherty review? (WAQ66145)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Huw Lewis: While a process for the awarding of ‘Accredited status’ was developed our records do not indicate that any schools received an ‘Accredited status’ for their teacher assessments.
In 2004 ACCAC was asked by the Welsh Government to develop systems and procedures to ensure the quality and consistency of teacher assessment at the end of Key Stage 3. The model they developed comprised two elements:
External moderation of sample evidence for all KS3 national curriculum subjects and
Verification visits to schools by external verifiers who focus on schools systems and procedures.
It was intended that those schools meeting the required standard would be awarded an ‘accredited status’.
In 2005 ACCAC awarded the contract to deliver this model to WJEC. .
During 2006/07 and 2007/08 schools were required to submit sample materials to WJEC showing attainment exemplifying the characteristics of National Curriculum levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 (covering all attainment targets) for moderation.
During 2007/08 and 2009/10 schools were required to submit sample evidence to WJEC for moderation on a similar, but not identical basis as that undertaken for the core subjects.
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): Will the Minister confirm whether the skills-based diagnostic test envisaged in year 5 of primary school following the Daugherty report was ever introduced; and whether ACCAC was ever involved in designing assessments and ensuring their consistency? (WAQ66146)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Huw Lewis: I can confirm the diagnostic tests envisaged following the Daugherty report were never introduced.
ACCAC were involved with work to design and improve the consistency of teacher assessments. In 2004 the Welsh Government asked ACCAC to develop systems and procedures to ensure the quality and consistency of teacher assessment at the end of Key Stages. They developed a model for Key Stage 3 which comprised two elements:
External moderation of sample evidence for all KS3 national curriculum subjects and
Verification visits to schools by external verifiers who focus on schools systems and procedures.
In 2005 ACCAC awarded the contract to deliver this model to WJEC.
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): How many teachers in Wales have at least a 2:1 degree? (WAQ66147)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Huw Lewis AM: The General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) is required to hold, if available, degree and ITT qualification details for registered teachers in Wales. Data is not available in respect of all teachers in Wales. Data is available in respect of registered teachers in Wales with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) gained on or after 1 August 2004 from the GTCW register of qualified teachers.
Of 13,131 teachers registered with the GTCW at 16 December 2013, with QTS gained on or after 1 August 2004, 6,829 (52 per cent) were recorded as achieving at least a 2:1 degree.
Further detail is included in the following table.
Number of GTCW registered teachers by degree class & route to QTS – Date of QTS on or after 1st August 2004 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified Teacher: trained |
Other Route** |
Total | ||
|
|
Number of Teachers |
Percentage (%) |
Number of Teachers |
Percentage (%) | |
|
First class honours |
834 |
6.8 |
58 |
6.4 |
892 |
|
Upper second class honours |
5,731 |
46.9 |
206 |
22.7 |
5,937 |
|
Lower second class honours |
4,590 |
37.6 |
153 |
16.9 |
4,743 |
|
Undivided second class honours |
31 |
0.3 |
13 |
1.4 |
44 |
|
Third class honours |
418 |
3.4 |
14 |
1.5 |
432 |
|
Other* |
564 |
4.6 |
167 |
18.4 |
731 |
|
Not Held |
55 |
0.4 |
297 |
32.7 |
352 |
|
Total |
12,223 |
100% |
908 |
100% |
13,131 |
*Other class includes: Ordinary, Pass, fourth class honours, unclassified honours, general degree, higher degree, degree awarded outside the UK.
**Other Route to QTS includes any route other than Qualified Teacher Trained e.g. Graduate Teacher Programme, EU.
Notes
Data taken from the GTCW Register of Qualified Teachers on 16th December 2013
all data provided relates to “registered teachers” and the numbers are displayed as “actuals” rather than “full-time equivalents”;
the number of registered teachers is “real time” and can go up or down, depending on new registrations and de-registrations
Leighton Andrews (Rhondda): How much additional money has been made available for schools - including via the Pupil Deprivation Grant (PDG) and School Effectiveness Framework (SEF) - each year since 2011-12? (WAQ66148)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Huw Lewis: Since 2011-12, we have protected frontline spending for schools at 1% above movements to the Wales DEL. This means that between 2011-12 to the end of the current financial year, we have made available an additional £115m to schools through the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) and Education and Skills Main Expenditure Group (MEG), which includes funding for the School Effectiveness Framework. Taken together with the additional funding for the Pupil Deprivation Grant in 2012-13 and 2013-14, schools have benefitted from over £155m additional funding in this period.
As set out in the Final Budget 2014-15, we are also maintaining our commitment to protect schools funding over the next two years, including doubling the amount of the Pupil Deprivation Grant in 2014-15 to the equivalent of £918 per eligible pupil. This reflects our commitment to break the link between poverty and educational attainment and to protect frontline spending in schools.
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister give an update on the availability of additional apprenticeship opportunities following the additional resources in the 2013-14 Welsh Government budget? (WAQ66159)
Answer received for publication on 18 December 2013
The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology (Ken Skates): Welsh Government’s provisional First Release, published on the 27th November 2013, shows the largest increase in the number of people participating in work based learning for 6 years. There is also a connection between the additional £20m made available during 2013-2014 (April to March Financial year) and the increase in the number of apprenticeship learning programme starts from 5,260 (between April and July 2012) to 10,435 between (April and July 2013).
It can take up to 18 months to receive final data on apprenticeship delivery across Wales. As such, we will not have published verified data on apprenticeships until some time after the academic year has finished. Although, provisional, unverified 2013-2014 management information shows a very promising performance picture, particularly on the Young Recruits Programme (YRP).
To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the availability of bone density measurement machines in South East Wales? (WAQ66138)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
The Minister for Health and Social Services (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government does not routinely maintain information about the location of DXA scanners in South East Wales but we understand there are currently two at the University Hospital of Wales, one at Dewi Sant Hospital, Pontypridd and one at County Hospital, Pontypool.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What procedures are in place to help NHS patients pursue their complaints after hospital complaints procedures have been exhausted? (WAQ66139)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013
Mark Drakeford: NHS patients have the option of asking the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to investigate their concerns once local procedures have been exhausted. Here is a link to the website:
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What procedures are in place to check that doctors correctly diagnose their patients’ conditions? (WAQ66140)
Answer received for publication on 2 January 2014
Mark Drakeford: GPs are highly trained professionals. The GP Appraisal process contributes to the development of individual GPs and therefore to the overall quality and safety agenda. It helps provide an assurance that individual GPs skills are up to date and is an important part of the GP revalidation process.
In many cases the diagnosis of a condition will be confirmed by laboratory testing or referral to a medical specialist. The exact process or procedure for checking a diagnosis will depend on the specific medical condition.
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What discussions has the Minister had with Aneurin Bevan Health Board regarding providing a bone density measurement machine at Royal Gwent Hospital? (WAQ66141)
Answer received for publication on 2 January 2014
Mark Drakeford: I have not had any discussions about a bone density measurement machine at Royal Gwent Hospital.
Aled Roberts (North Wales): Further to the WAO CAMHS report published in December 2013, what action is being taken to ensure that there is implementation of the planned emergency beds at the two CAMHS units? (WAQ66151)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): Further to the WAO CAMHS report published in December 2013, what action has been taken by the Welsh Government or the NHS centrally to ensure that health boards address the failure to obtain DBS or CRB checks for all staff? (WAQ66152)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): Further to the WAO CAMHS report published in December 2013, what steps is the Welsh Government taking to monitor implementation of its national “was not brought” protocol? (WAQ66153)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): Further to the WAO CAMHS report published in December 2013, when will the new service model in the north involving the intensive community support teams be up and running? (WAQ66154)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): In light of the failure of CAMHS services to carry out risk assessments as evidenced by the review of 45 case files, what action has the Welsh Government undertaken in the interim to improve performance? (WAQ66155)
Aled Roberts (North Wales): With reference to the recent WAO CAMHS report, has the Welsh Government now received the updates from each of the health boards on progress in providing risk assessment training, non-attendance audits and safety of discharge procedures? (WAQ66156)
Answer received for publication on 6 January 2013 (WAQ66151-56)
Mark Drakeford: In line with standard procedures the Welsh Government will formally respond to the joint AGW/HIW report into CAMHS once it has been considered and reported on by the Public Accounts Committee. Our response will contain the information to address the questions you have raised.
To ask the Minister for Local Government and Government Business
Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister advise how the amount of the Capitalisation Direction issued to Newport City Council for the financial year 2013-14 announced on 12 November 2013 was calculated? (WAQ66157)
Answer received for publication on 18 December 2013
The Minister for Local Government and Government Business (Lesley Griffiths): The request for a capitalisation direction for equal pay compensation, including the amount to be treated as capital expenditure was prepared and submitted by Newport City Council and assessed in line with the published Welsh Government guidance.