“UNITED we stand”, was the message from Blaenau Gwent councillors yesterday, as they vowed to work together to solve the borough’s education crisis.

Councillors from all parties met for the first time since the publication of Estyn’s damning report into the council’s education services for children and young people.

The report revealed shocking levels of pupil performance, a systemic failure of management, and resulted in the department being placed in special measures.

But despite a devastating week for the authority, which saw executive member for education Steve Bard resign and council leader Des Hillman face rumours that he was set to follow suit, councillors from all parties yesterday claimed to be putting politics aside for the sake of the children of Blaenau Gwent.

The special meeting at Ebbw Vale’s civic centre was addressed by Estyn inspector Stephen Lamb.

Mr Lamb told councillors the overall judgement of its education service and its capacity to improve had both been branded unsatisfactory – the worst grade awarded by the inspection body.

Failings in the report included that pupils’ performance was among the lowest in Wales, “systemic”

management failures and the negative effect of “political point scoring” in the scrutiny of performance in education.

Mr Lamb said that while Estyn recognised there were “green shoots” of improvement, it was too early to say what the outcome of these would be, and made eight recommendations, including raising skills levels and increasing pupil attendance rates.

Mr Hillman described the report at as “bitter blow” to the authority.

He said: “Every one of us is disappointed, but what we must not do is go into denial.

There’s a job to be done.

“I am asking the council that we move forward all together so we can get where we want to be, and to provide the best possible education service for our children so they can go on to achieve their dreams.”

Leader of the Labour opposition group Cllr Headley McCarthy agreed it was “no time for political differences”.

He added: “The Labour group is committed to do whatever is necessary to ensure this council improves its education service for our children and young people.”

The council will now produce an action plan on how it will address Estyn’s recommendations.