Alan Tootill

We're back out and about on the road again this year in partnership with @BLOODHOUND_Edu - if you'd like to learn more about the science and engineering behind @Bloodhound_LSR in your school (or a school near you) get in touch! #STEM #STEMeducation

Launched today – sector summaries from the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2022-23. Use our sector specific recommendations, highlights of effective practice, reflective questions and more to aid improvements to your setting: annual-report.estyn.gov.wales/sector-summari…

Coming soon! We’ll be sharing sector summaries from the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2022-23 on 12 October. Sign up now to receive sector specific recommendations as part of this year’s Annual Report: estyn.gov.wales/register-updat…

At our most recent #estynlive, our HMIs answered questions and explored findings about English reading skills in pupils aged 10-14. If you missed the event, you can watch the recording here: youtu.be/EdXA8lrI0tM

@robrandel @estyn Thanks for clarifying, Rob. Good to hear that you've read the report. You'll know that the focus is mainstream 10-14 year olds, so it's about reading to learn rather than learning to read. Estyn doesn't prescribe what schools should do, but evaluates impact.

@AJTootill @estyn You're welcome. I read it when it came out. My thoughts: what struck me is the lack of reference to the 'Simple View of Reading', not necessarily using the term, but talking about the difference between decoding and understanding. 1/

Sorry @Estyn, this is a complete farce. If you wanted to help pupils w/ English reading skills you would promote the findings from the science of reading. If children are joining Y7 with RAs < 7, decoding is most likely the barrier & SSP is what's needed, not a mix of strategies.

Our recent #EstynLive event explored our report on how schools are helping pupils develop their English reading skills. Watch the recording here: youtu.be/EdXA8lrI0tM

Published today, our latest thematic explores how ITE partnerships currently support student teachers to improve their Welsh language skills. Learn more: estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

If you couldn’t join our #estynlive on developing English reading skills for pupils aged 10-14 last night, you can watch it back after 21 September on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=FFVgYD…

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop in your role? Applications for senior leaders to become Peer Inspectors are now open! Don’t miss your chance to apply for this exciting opportunity: estyn.gov.wales/working-us/cur… @WelshISC @SNAPcymru @WG_Education @NAELCymru

Recent inspection findings show wide variation in pupil’s English reading skills. Join us on our #estynlive stream on 11 September at 4pm to hear more from our latest thematic report. Find out more: liveeventstream.online/estyn-live

Don’t forget to tag us in your conversations about our live stream @EstynHMI #estynlive

Our thematic report shows a higher proportion of Year 6 pupils are making good progress in developing their advanced reading skills than those in Years 7-9. Hear our findings and recommendations at our #estynlive at 4pm on 11 September: liveeventstream.online/estyn-live

Read about how schools are choosing texts carefully, balancing fiction and non-fiction and introducing more challenging texts with appropriate support. New report out now estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Approaches to developing reading skills include guided, reciprocal, shared, and independent reading. Strong provision offers a balance of these approaches across the curriculum. Read more about how schools develop reading estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Primary schools prioritise reading across the curriculum, but secondary schools are less consistent. Adapting reading for specific areas of learning is a new concept in some schools. For more information, read our report estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Most schools use evidence-based strategies to improve reading skills, but implementation is inconsistent. Strong provision includes effective professional learning for staff. Read more in our report estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Some pupils in less effective schools struggle to read age-appropriate texts due to gaps in phonological knowledge and limited reading strategies. This affects their progress. Learn more estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Our new report shows that effective schools help pupils read challenging texts accurately and with understanding. More able pupils use advanced skills, while less able pupils receive suitable support. Find out more estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…

Most pupils understand the importance of reading for academic success. Many can retrieve information, skim, and scan texts, but some struggle with advanced skills in Years 7-9. Find out more in our new report estyn.gov.wales/thematic-repor…