According to a report published by Estyn, inspectors have found that schools implementing RAISE projects are reporting improvements.

RAISE (Raising Attainment and Individual Standards in Education) is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative aimed at improving achievement levels amongst those who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Using the percentage of pupils in receipt of free school meals as an indicator of relative deprivation, over £14m has been invested annually in eligible schools since 2006.

In 2007, over 500 schools received RAISE funding. Schools have spent the funding in a wide variety of ways, from employing more teaching assistants and learning support staff to buying new equipment.

Feedback from schools indicates that there have been improvements. One secondary school, for example, has noted a 50% reduction in the rate of exclusions since the scheme began.

However, the rate of improvement has stalled or reversed over the last three years in a third of local authorities.

The report can be downloaded from Estyn’s website.