FIFTEEN schools from across south Wales, including five from Barry, have been chosen by the Central South Consortium to offer school improvement programmes from this week.

The schools, named Olevi Hubs, will be drawing upon their skills and experience to construct support programmes which can be accessed by the 408 schools across central south Wales.

In Barry a collaboration between Barry Island Primary School, Cadoxton Primary School, Rhws Primary School and Romilly Primary School join Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg as Olevi Hub schools.

At the launch Councillor Chris Elmore, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “What has been established today is a network through which some of the best schools in Wales can share the knowledge and expertise that have brought them success.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for schools within the Vale to benefit from the knowledge of colleagues across south Wales. The region has some of the best practitioners not just in the UK but worldwide and by working together we can deliver even better outcomes for Vale pupils.”

Dr Jude Brigley, Strategic Lead for Learning and Teaching at the Central South Consortium, said: “The launch of the OLEVI Hubs, Hubs and Specialist Centres is an extremely exciting time for education in Central South Wales.

"Today, for the first time in the region, we see schools offering other schools an accredited catalogue of support based upon their own outstanding practice and knowledge.

"There is no better way to improve than by engaging with a colleague or school in your region that has successfully achieved and is continuing to achieve, what your school needs. For example, to see a school with an outstanding maths department sharing their techniques, tips and strategies, as well as how it can be adapted to work in your own school is extremely inspiring.

"The demand for support from the hubs and specialist centres has been overwhelming, and we may already be looking for additional schools to join the network. We are delighted that the schools in Central South have so fully embraced the Central South Wales Challenge, and today’s launch is a further step towards a fully engaged self-improving system for the region.”