Welsh Government

Published today, the National Categorisation System has been introduced in 2014 to help identify schools in need of support to improve. Schools are placed into one of four colour-coded support categories to demonstrate the level of support they need.

Each school’s category is determined by a range of factors including its performance data and capacity to improve in areas such as leadership and teaching and learning. Local authorities and their regional consortia play a central role in the process which triggers a bespoke package of challenge and support in each school.

Under the system there are four categories – green, yellow, amber and red. Schools in the green category are deemed to be in need of the least support while schools in the red category are those identified as needing the most support.

This year’s results show that there are fewer schools in Wales in need of the highest levels of support when compared to last year. Similarly, there are more schools categorised as needing lower levels of support. In summary:

• the proportion of green schools – those needing less support – has increased by 5 percentage points in the primary sector and 7 percentage points in the secondary sector.
• the proportion of red schools – those identified as needing most support – has reduced by 1 percentage point in the primary sector and 2 percentage points in the secondary sector.
• 41 per cent of special schools have been categorised as green, and needing less support, with only 8 per cent being categorised as red and in need of most support.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams said:

“This system is not about grading, labelling or creating crude league tables but about providing support and encouraging improvement in our schools. It is about putting schools into a position that helps them to identify areas they can strengthen and what they need to do achieve further improvements.

“The figures we have published today show that 84.4% of primary and 64.6% of secondary schools are now in the green and yellow categories. This increase is to be welcomed, as these schools will have a key role to play in supporting other schools, sharing their skills, expertise, and good practice. In this way they will be making a vital contribution to our national mission of driving forward improvements in Welsh schools and moving us towards a self-improving system.”

The categorisation for all schools is available on the My Local School website (external link) and the Welsh Government education pages.

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Following a consultation last year for new Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for harbour porpoise, the Cabinet Secretary has approved three areas. These have now been submitted to the European Commission for consideration.

The three areas are North Anglesey Marine, West Wales Marine and the Bristol Channel Approaches.

The areas have been identified based on 18 years of data on harbour porpoise distribution and have been identified as important, having persistently higher densities of harbour porpoise compared to other areas. The SACs will complement existing conservation measures in place throughout UK waters to help maintain the favourable status of the species.

The Cabinet Secretary has also approved three additional marine areas as Special Protection Areas. 

These include Northern Cardigan Bay which is home to the wintering red throated diver and an extension to two important seabird breeding areas, Ynys Feurig, Cemlyn Bay and Skokholm and Skomer, to include areas which are vitally important to preening and other behaviours during the birds’ breeding season. 

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“We are committed to creating a network of marine protected areas in Wales so species and habitats can thrive. A rich and healthy marine environment ensures the sustainable use of our seas now and in the future.

“The wide response to Natural Resources Wales’ consultation on the protection of marine porpoises shows the value people place in protecting marine life. I am pleased we are taking steps to provide protection for our harbour porpoise and protect important areas for sea birds.” 

Ceri Davies, Natural Resources Wales’ Executive Director for Evidence, Policy and Permitting, said:

“We are proud that the seas around Wales support such a rich diversity of wildlife, which is highly valued by local communities and sustains important businesses such as fishing, tourism and recreation. 

“NRW looks forward to working with stakeholders to ensure that these sites are appropriately managed to help conserve them for future generations.” 

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Ken Skates announced his impending visit to China  at the North Wales Export Forum  – one of two events being held to reinforce the Welsh Government’s focus on exports and exporters as the UK prepares for life outside of the EU. 

The Economy Secretary said: 

“I am pleased to have attended both the South Wales and North Wales Export Forum and to have spoken directly to some of our most influential exporters as we prepare for life outside the EU. 

“Increasing the value of exports and the number of exporters in Wales have been central pillars of our economic strategy for some time and at this time of change it is more important than ever that we focus on strengthening our trade relations with countries across the world. 

“We already have a comprehensive range of support to help companies export and have been proactive in some of the world’s largest markets for some time. 

“And I am pleased to confirm that next month I will be joining  18 Welsh companies as part of their next trade mission to China  with a view to expanding our trade relations and building on  what is already a strong and thriving relationship. 

“As part of my trip I will be visiting Chongqing and Shanghai and am optimistic that both my  visit and the trade  mission will enable Welsh companies to win new export business in China.

“This is borne out by experience as my visit and the  trade  mission to Japan last October  has already resulted in £1.4m of orders and potential contracts for the businesses that travelled there. 

“I think we all recognise there are challenging times ahead for businesses.  I am determined to make sure that we do what we can to help businesses  maintain and, indeed, grow their export business as the UK transitions out of the EU.” 

One of the companies attending the February trade mission to China and Hong Kong  is Wrexham based, specialist manufacturer Conren. Their company export manager, Veronica Dawson said:  

“Exporting is key to our business and we currently export to over 30 markets around the world. It has greatly benefitted our business, providing an essential source of revenue, and it has also encouraged us to be more innovative as we develop our products to meet challenges in the global marketplace.

“The Welsh Government has been key to our export success, providing support and advice as we look to new markets. The Export Forum provided a  great opportunity for us to  meet other exporters from across Wales and hear how other companies are preparing for the future, and we are very much looking forwarding to next month’s trade mission.” 

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Ken Skates announced his impending visit to China  at the North Wales Export Forum  – one of two events being held to reinforce the Welsh Government’s focus on exports and exporters as the UK prepares for life outside of the EU. 

The Economy Secretary said: 

“I am pleased to have attended both the South Wales and North Wales Export Forum and to have spoken directly to some of our most influential exporters as we prepare for life outside the EU. 

“Increasing the value of exports and the number of exporters in Wales have been central pillars of our economic strategy for some time and at this time of change it is more important than ever that we focus on strengthening our trade relations with countries across the world. 

“We already have a comprehensive range of support to help companies export and have been proactive in some of the world’s largest markets for some time. 

“And I am pleased to confirm that next month I will be joining  18 Welsh companies as part of their next trade mission to China  with a view to expanding our trade relations and building on  what is already a strong and thriving relationship. 

“As part of my trip I will be visiting Chongqing and Shanghai and am optimistic that both my  visit and the trade  mission will enable Welsh companies to win new export business in China.

“This is borne out by experience as my visit and the  trade  mission to Japan last October  has already resulted in £1.4m of orders and potential contracts for the businesses that travelled there. 

“I think we all recognise there are challenging times ahead for businesses.  I am determined to make sure that we do what we can to help businesses  maintain and, indeed, grow their export business as the UK transitions out of the EU.” 

One of the companies attending the February trade mission to China and Hong Kong  is Wrexham based, specialist manufacturer Conren. Their company export manager, Veronica Dawson said:  

“Exporting is key to our business and we currently export to over 30 markets around the world. It has greatly benefitted our business, providing an essential source of revenue, and it has also encouraged us to be more innovative as we develop our products to meet challenges in the global marketplace.

“The Welsh Government has been key to our export success, providing support and advice as we look to new markets. The Export Forum provided a  great opportunity for us to  meet other exporters from across Wales and hear how other companies are preparing for the future, and we are very much looking forwarding to next month’s trade mission.” 

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NatWest’s local corporate team will provide a £51.5m loan facility  to the joint venture company which will construct and manage the new convention centre as a 50/50 partnership between Welsh Government and Celtic Manor Resort.

Contracts have been signed by the Welsh Government and Celtic Manor Resort to establish a shareholders’ agreement and project management agreement to build and run ICC Wales. 

Ken Skates said: 

“This will be a major asset for Wales, enabling us to compete with any venue in the UK and indeed Europe to attract and host key events that make a huge contribution to the economy. 

“The development will provide a very real long-term boost for the entire economy of South Wales. It will create direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operational phases, provide new business opportunities for a wide range of supply chain companies and deliver extensive knock on benefits for tourism throughout the region.

“A facility of this calibre, quality and size is absolutely essential if we are to compete effectively in what is a highly competitive international market. It will place Wales firmly at the forefront of business tourism destinations and I am delighted it is being delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government.”

Celtic Manor Resort Chairman Sir Terry Matthews said:

“The Celtic Manor Resort has already established a reputation as the UK’s No 1 Conference Hotel but this new centre will be a real game-changer. In the past, we’ve been forced to turn away hundreds of millions of pounds of business because we did not have the capacity to hold the largest conferences. Not any longer. 

“This International Convention Centre will allow us to attract the biggest and most lucrative business events to Wales, as well as high-profile summits and party political conferences. ICC Wales will rival any convention facility in Europe and will act as a magnet for major events, bringing huge benefits to the Welsh economy.”

ICC Wales, which is projected to open for business in June 2019,  will be capable of accommodating up to 5,000 delegates with a total floor space exceeding 26,000 square metres. It will house a 1,500-seat auditorium and separate exhibition hall which, at 4,000 square metres, will provide the largest pillar-free ballroom in Europe, capable of hosting 2,400 people for a gala dinner. 

Other facilities include five divisible meetings rooms that will create a further 12 flexible spaces meeting rooms, breakouts at all levels to outdoor networking spaces, state-of-the-art technology with fully integrated audio visual facilities and fully serviced client offices, green rooms and production facilities.

A 2,500 square metre plaza will welcome visitors to the new centre and provide additional networking and exhibition space. There will be HGV loading bays direct to both the auditorium and main hall, and 700 car parking spaces under the facility with direct access to ICC Wales arrival atrium.

Banking and debt facilities were structured and delivered locally by Stuart Allison, Relationship Director at NatWest and David Moxham, Director of the bank’s Structured Finance team.

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