Commenting on the decision to postpone the introduction of primary school banding, NUT Wales Secretary David Evans said:

“This is excellent news for teachers who have been contacting us with concerns relating to the introduction of a primary banding system. Clearly, there has been a great deal of difficulty in finding a system that would work for the primary sector and the Minister should be praised for taking the action that he has.

“We are very pleased that the Minister has listened to ourselves and the profession and put back primary banding. As a union we continue to be opposed to any form of primary banding, but if it is to be introduced at some point, the Minister has at least now given stakeholders the opportunity to work together in addressing any problems.

“We have criticised the Education Minister in the past on areas where we have found disagreement, but today’s announcement certainly deserves praise and shows that he has been willing to listen to the arguments, and take a decision that is in the best interests of children in Wales. He should be applauded for that.”

Welsh version of press release here.