Banding System Scrapped In Wales

25 September 2014, 17:19 | Updated: 25 September 2014, 17:21

Education bosses say a change in the way schools are rated will help them improve.

The Welsh Government is getting rid of banding - with a colour coded system coming in instead.

The banding system - which ranks schools from 1-5 - has been in place since 2011.

Critics say the system is "bonkers" with some schools "yo-yoing" from the highest rating to the lowest in one year.

Dr Philip Dixon is from union ATL Cymru. He told Heart: "The banding system was well past its sell by date, it was getting very silly. 

"You had yo-yo affects in it and it wasn't really helping schools so this new system will be of much greater to help to teachers and pupils - which is what it's all about."

Instead of being ranked 1-5 - schools will now be part of a colour coded system.

The best performing schools will be rated green, followed by yellow or red for those who need to make significant improvements.

Education Minister Huw Lewis has also said a wide range of data will be looked at over three years - allowing schools to see where they are and what they need to do.