New council Improvement Board set up in wake of critical report

A new internal Accelerated Improvement Board has been set up to strengthen education services and improve outcomes for learners across Powys, the council has announced.

The creation of the board follows a critical Estyn report into the county's education services and comes after councillors called for an extraordinary meeting to address the serious concerns raised.

Chief Executive Emma Palmer established the board after consulting with Council Leader James Gibson-Watt and the Deputy Leader. The board will take immediate action to address shortcomings identified in the recent inspection.

According to council officials, the new board's priorities include supporting strong leadership and performance management of education improvement, providing robust review of educational improvements, and addressing potential barriers to progress.

Councillor Gibson-Watt said: "The establishment of the Accelerated Improvement Board is a crucial step to achieving this. The board will ensure that we meet the recommendations outlined by Estyn while driving and accelerating improvements in our education services," he said.

The Leader expressed confidence that necessary improvements would be achieved to provide "the education and opportunities that the children and families of Powys deserve and expect."

The move represents a significant response to ongoing concerns about educational standards in the county and signals a renewed focus on council-led improvement initiatives. Local education watchdogs will be monitoring progress closely in the coming months.