Learning Welsh: “Excellence” standard in North Wales

North Wales Welsh For Adults Centre StaffThe North Wales Welsh for Adults Centre, only established 6 years ago, and part of the

North Wales Welsh For Adults Centre StaffThe North Wales Welsh for Adults Centre, only established 6 years ago, and part of the College of Education and Lifelong Learning at Bangor University, has received the highest praise possible from Education and Training Inspectorate, Estyn, for the quality of their provision.

The Centre was inspected by a team of Estyn Inspectors during the week 21-25 November 2011. The Centre is responsible for all the Welsh for Adults Courses in North Wales.

The Inspectors’ main findings are that the Centre’s current performance is “excellent” and that the prospects for improvement are “excellent”- the highest judgement possible.

Estyn refers to many excellent characteristics in their report on the Centre’s work, and in particular to the highest standard of teaching, training for the tutors and learners achieving better than any other area in Wales.

The report also refers to the variety of courses available for Welsh learners along with all the support offered to them outside the classroom in the form of social activities.

The Centre has been praised for its strong management and leadership. Ifor Gruffydd, Director of the Centre, said: “We are very pleased to receive this award from Estyn, which confirms the standard of teaching here in North Wales, and how hard the team of staff has worked in such a short timescale.”

While accepting that the award is for the Centre, he added “the key to our achievement has been working in collaboration with our partners, including Further Education Colleges and Bangor University.”

The Centre has a very clear vision for the future and is determined to build its strong foundations and maintain the excellence in every aspect of its provision.

Publication date: 2 April 2012