School banding improved on, says minister Huw Lewis

Education Minister Huw Lewis has said a new system of colour-coded categories for school performance is an improvement on the controversial banding system.

Instead of being rated 1 to 5, schools will be assigned colours, from green for the best to red for those needing "significant improvements".

The system will also look at data over three years rather than one, to smooth out any volatility in ratings which critics have highlighted.

Mr Lewis said the aim was to improve on the banding system, denying it had failed.