06/09/2011 BBC Wales Today

The top stories: The country's best performing and was performing

secondary schools list will be published by the end of the year. -

Our other headlines tonight: The biggest animal rescue since the Sea

Empress disaster: Hundreds of migrating birds blown off course in

storms. At the moment we have 400 Manx shearwaters and a couple of

gannets but they haven't made it. The Welsh supermarket brand Iceland

awards is 22,000 staff with record pay rises.

It is a special night for Welsh football. Wales are at Wembley for

the first time in 28 years to take Secondary schools in Wales will

provisionally find out next week whether they are the top or the

bottom of a new banding scheme. Parents will be able to see the

results when the Welsh government publishes them online by the end of

this year. Schools are being graded as part of a drive to improve

standards, but tonight the National Union of Teachers warned banding of

schools is just a return of league tables. I will speak to the union

in a moment. First, Sian Lloyd reports.

It is a big day for these year 7 pupils. They have made a move to

secondary school and are settling in at Barry Comprehensive. Next

week, the staff will discover where the school is likely to be placed

in a new national banding scheme. The data for each of the 221

secondary schools in Wales will be published on the Welsh government's

website in the week starting 12th December. We are an unusual school,

one of only two that are all boys. Boys tend to under-achieve compared

to goals. We had a lot of value here and the boys that leave here

will leave successful, but they were also achieved beyond what was

expected when they were entering the school. I hope that is taken

into consideration. It is thought secondary schools will be placed

into one of five bands based on a wide-ranging factor -- wide range

of factors including exam performance, attendance and people

backgrounds. The plans have been in the pipelines for months, but we

understand the final model has only just been approved by the Welsh

government. Teaching unions recognise the aim of driving up

standards, but still have questions about the scheme. The whole purpose

of the banding is then to create a system that will help every school

in Wales get better. The banding judgment by itself is not going to

be terrifically useful, so unless we can be sure, and we hope they

can be certain that the support services are there, the entire

system looks increasingly suspect. One thing is for certain, sums

schools were inevitably be at the top of the list, and others

inevitably at the bottom. banding system will be just a click

away from parent so can do Samba, but the challenge now is to ensure

they understand the information. help, schools will send a letter

home over the coming weeks. League tables were abandoned here 10 years

ago, and banding will be the nearest Wales has come since then

to returning to a ranking system. We asked parents of pupils at

Connah's Quay High School for their input. Schools are not just exams.

We like to make sure the school is performing as well as it should do

for exams, but general school work as well. I just said to the

headmaster now that this school has a very good reputation. Would the

banding system change that in any way? Do know what I mean, they have

a good reputation now. I am concerned about that. Back in July

when the scheme first came to light, the Education Minister said banding

was not about labelling schools. The system for banding primary

schools is also being developed. Let's be to the Welsh secretary of

the National Union of Teachers, David Evans. There has been a

cautious welcome to the scheme. What your members make of it?

honest, we are concerned at the end of the day. Banding, grading as it

was called when it was first suggested in February, inevitably

will result in schools being at the top and bottom. Presumably schools

will be able to move up through the bands, and presumably they will

also be able to move down, but what we should be concentrating on is

that all schools are good schools. What possible objection could you

have two parents transparently finding out how their children in a

local school are performing? What is wrong with that? Parents are

entitled to know how their schools are performing. It is not

necessarily all about that. What it should be about is improving those

schools, but you do not improve schools just by ranking them at the

top or the bottom. There is more to it. They should be additional

resources and support. We know that the Welsh Assembly Government has

indicated that they are not putting additional resources or funding

into the schools. The Welsh Assembly Government said tonight

that this is not the return of league tables. The banding will be

based on a variety of all sorts of criteria, not just exams. That must

surely reassure you. It is the primary method of assessing, exams.

Other things will come in, social and economic issues should come in,

the communities the schools are based in should come into it. We

would welcome that and have no difficulty with that, but the way

in which the system is devised, as far as we can tell so far, does

mean that parents will say, hang on, this school is in band one or

League One, visit the school is in band four. I don't want to change -

- send my school to -- My child to band four. David Evans, thank you.

! The RSPCA has rescued hundreds of seabirds off the coast of

Pembrokeshire in its largest operation in Wales since the Sea

Empress tanker disaster 15 years ago. A huge flock of Manx

shearwaters were blown onto Newgale beach during their annual migration

to Argentina. Our correspondent is that the RSPCA rescue centre in

Swansea. It is still blustery, and you can

see why. So many birds were blown inland last night, some 400-500

Manx shear waters were rescued from the sea this morning. Here with me

is the chief of staff at the RSPCA in Swansea. We can see the birds in

the van if we walk down. How big a rescue was this? It was all hands

on deck. Quite extraordinary, actually, we have never come across

this many Manx shearwaters in one day. Every year we have a problem

with blustery weather, and a number of Manx shearwaters, may be four or

fight, oral a busy day a dozen. Today about 500, it has been quite

extraordinary. How unusual is that? Yesterday we collected 19 birds and

the whole team were astounded. It is usually just a handful, three or

four. 19 in a day is remarkable, but today 500 birds, it is quite

sad really, very distressing for the birds concerned. The good news,

I suppose is that it should be a short rescue. We have collected all

the birds from the beach. They are going to our wildlife hospitals

under the next couple of days hopefully they will be released.

we look at these birds in the cage, these are going to Somerset, some

people will ask, should we interfere with nature, what would

have happened if we hadn't? suppose we are, but these birds

were exhausted, suffering from hypothermia and shock and would

surely have died if we hadn't intervened. Thank you very much

indeed. Now we can show you the pictures of the work of the RSPCA

this morning. When you realise the Shia number of Manx shearwaters on

Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire, it was extraordinary.

Hundreds were blown onto Newgale beach last night and today during

stormy weather. Most of them are fledglings straight out of nests

where they have been nestling alongside the Pembrokeshire

coastline and along the shore. Many of these birds tossed into the sea

by the storm are unlikely to survive. I have 70 per cent will

make it. In my initial assessment many are alert and active just

waterlogged. Some I have had to put down because they will not make it.

I hope 70 per cent will make it to fly to Argentina. The RSPCA said

they are trying to save as many Manx shearwaters as they can. They

say they are hopeful many will be released into the wild as soon as

possible so they can continue their migration for the winter, the 8000

miles or so from west Wales to South America. The biggest colony

of Manx shearwaters in Wales are the 120,000 pairs nesting on scone

Ireland. We need to get these birds out and back to see as quickly as

we can. My advice to anybody seeing a bird is to get it out to sea.

They need to be out at sea. They do better out at this -- at sea.

weather has caused problems for many migrating birds. The satellite

image taken in the last 24 hours shows how the weather has blown

birds of course. There are reports of gannets, arctic skuas as well as

men she waters landing in several areas. -- Manx shearwaters. But the

numbers in Pembridge are today are unusual. This whether his son sees

the ball. There have been incidents like this with oil spills. The Sea

Empress was the last time we collected so many seabirds in one

go. There is no sign of oil or injuries on the birds. We can only

guess the weather conditions have contributed to them being washed

inshore. Here are some of the birds before they are taken from here in

Swansea to Somerset. Some 350 Manx shearwaters have been checked here.

They are fine for travelling, and as soon as the weather allows the

RSPCA to do so, they will be released back into the wild. They

will be taken on the short journey down to Somerset. That is all from

the RSPCA rescue centre. Heavy rain in the last 24 hours as

well as the wind has caused rivers to rise, especially in North and

Mid Wales, where four flood alerts remain in force. These pictures of

the River Conwy at Llanrwst were taken by photographer Steve Allen.

Derek will be here with the full FA cost later in the programme. --

forecast. The chief executive of hundred to

cancel Bryn Parry Jones has survived a vote of no confidence.

County councillors met to debate two reports highly critical of

measures to protect children from abuse. Mark Hannaby was at the

meeting and joins me now. The chief executive survived despite the

highly critical reports about Pembridge a council. Remind us what

was in those reports. -- Pembrokeshire Council. There were

two critical reports, one from the education watchdog saying the

council's methodology for safeguarding children was not fit

for purpose. On top of that, there was another report also contributed

to by the education watchdog and the social services, looking at the

way the council deals with complaints of alleged child abuse

and saying there were long-standing problems with that. A lot for

councillors to get their teeth into, despite, as you mention, Bryn Parry

Jones surviving that votes of confidence against him, 42 votes in

his favour and 10 against, nevertheless, the council itself

came in for quite a deal of criticism on a wide-ranging bases

from both Labour, plied country and the Lib Dems, saying there is an

anti- democratic culture. People being appointed on the basis of

patronage and such. The leader of one of the group's is far from

certain that Bryn Parry Jones should lead the council. I have not

had any confidence in him since 1990 it. I voted for him in 1996

and consider that to be a mistake. He controls every element of this

authority. Managers here are unable to manage their own portfolios. His

influence is everywhere and it is not for the good. How does the

Council intend to put this right? They have a number of measures. We

should say Bryn Parry Jones declined an interview with us. The

council has promised a new Cabinet member specifically to deal with

the interests of children and safeguarding children. The council

will hope that is enough for the assembly government to decide not

to intervene in marriage tick -- managing the authority. They have

done it elsewhere in Anglesey and Blaenau Gwent. They are adamant it

won't happen there. Yes, harsh words were spoken and I understand

why those words were said and their context. I responded to them by

saying, yes, there will have to be changed and we have to reflect

significantly upon what has been instilled upon us by these reports

and learn very quickly. Councillor John Davies from Pembridge a

council speaking to the BBC. Mark You are watching Wales Today. Still

ahead, all the day's sport. Join me later. With an hour before

kick-off, we'll be assessing Wales' chances as they take on England

Staff at the Welsh frozen food chain, Iceland, are to get a record

pay increase of 5%. It will cost the firm more than �14 million to

reward all 22,000 frontline workers, as well as the home delivery staff.

A lower hourly rate for under 18s has also been scrapped. I've been

talking to Justin Urquhart Stewart from the London stock brokers,

Seven Investment Management. This is a great story. Most people

are not getting pay rises. Here, as a result of the profits they are

making, it is very encouraging. You have to understand that the founder

of this company has always had an attitude of making sure staff are

treated well from the canteen to the deliveries. This is what he is

doing now. They have got rid of the under the rate hourly rate for

under 18. This is trying to make sure people have proper wages and

not trying to pay the lowest you can get away with. Unfortunately,

with the old management, that is what had happened with this company.

Now the founder is back and he has turned things around. How important

is the leader and the company's roots? The company grew from humble

beginnings in North Wales. It has indeed. He used to work part-time

as a manager and developed a business from selling vegetables.

The company then went on to buy out the rivals and was very dynamic.

But as time developed, the founder got eased out on the style of the

business got changed. This would be a model for many businesses in

future about how to treat staff. Wales are at Wembley to take on

England. Ashleigh Crowter is there. Dai Greene says he hopes to add the

Olympic Gold Medal to his European, Commonwealth and World titles and

complete the Athletics Grand Slam This is one of the oldest rivalry

is end or sport. A star-studded England team are a red hot

favourites. But a few people think Wales might be capable of pulling

off a shock tonight. There is something about Wembley that

excites even the most experienced player. It has put a spring in the

step of manager Gary Speed. The task in front of Wales this evening

is quite formidable. Perhaps they will have inspiration from their

hotel. Secret plans were made during the Second World War at this

location. It is a great occasion for the players. For a lot of them,

it will not be a new experience. But there is going to be a massive

game and hopefully we can give it our best shot. The Football

Association of Wales says it has sold only around 1,700 tickets.

Victories at Wembley are rare. You have to go back a long time for

their only victory here. The stadium has been rebuilt since then.

England failed to win their last four matches their. They are

expecting a serious test. It'll be a tough game. They played very well

against Montenegro. Aaron Ramsey is one of the few Welsh players with

Wembley experience. It was a disappointing experience in the FA

Cup final with Cardiff. Hopefully, we can take the belief from the

last game and get a positive result there. Hopefully, it will be a

memorable day. There will be changes to the team. Qualification

may have already gone but the confidence they take from a draw

will be priceless as well as continued their climb back to

respectability on the world stage. Let us look ahead to the game now

with Iwan Roberts. How will the players be feeling? They will be a

little bit nervous but they will be looking forward to the challenge.

It is one of the best sides in the world at an unbelievable stadium.

They had a positive result against Montenegro on Friday. Most

observers say they can only four Celsius one result. If they do have

an Achilles heel, it is playing here at Wembley. They do feel the

pressure here and if we can keep them quiet, the thousands of people

walking past year will be on their backs. Could we is get a result?

Gary Speed will probably pack the midfield. When a chance comes away

we have to take it. We have to keep our shape and defend. Do you think

this is the start of a revival for Wales? It is unbelievable what a

win and can do. You can sense that in the Welsh camp already. If we

can get a positive result, hopefully we can finish third in

the group. Wales have only won once in Wembley before and that was in

19 some dissent. Kick-off is at 7:45pm. You can hear the game on

Dai Greene says he hopes to get the Olympic medal to add to his other

titles and complete the athletics Grand Slam at the London Games next

year. Arriving home from the World Championships in South Korea, where

he won the men's 400m hurdles, he says he is confident of more

success. We will change if you things ahead of next year's

Olympics. I hope to maintain the success and they have a great coach.

The most important thing for him is to stay injury-free during the

winter. The more he can invest in himself and work hard, it will be

easier for him to go out into the Olympic Games. He will have to work

hard to do it. The BBC has been given end -- a unique insight into

Ty Hafan. The hospice cares for children who are so unwell they are

not expected to live into adulthood. Children are referred to Ty Hafan

at a difficult time, a time of need when they are in search of care and

support. Since it opened it's doors 12 years ago the hospice, which

relies heavily on donations and it's own fund-raising, has helped

hundreds of children. Tonight, we meet one of them, Amy-Claire. A

brave teenager from Swansea who is determined to live life to the full

despite living through constant pain and illness. Amy Clare's

illness is a mystery. Nobody knows why her body systems are slowly

closing down. So, one by one she's ticking off a list of things she

wants to do with her life. And on that list, is planting a tree and

having a ceremony. Most people have to wait until they are dead. I do

not want to wait, I would rather have a party instead. The posh car

was another tick off a list, to arrive in Ty Hafan in style. For

Amy-Claire's parents, while leaving her here for the first time will be

a worry, they know she'll be cared for, and that's a comfort. You have

confidence in the people looking after her. If she is not happy, we

would not be happy to leave her. Hafan is a hospice, not a hospital.

The emphasis here is on treating individuals, not illnesses. There

are butterflies dotted around the place. A metaphor of the short, but

beautiful life they help create for the children. You can see more on

that tonight at 10:35pm. It is fine and settled in New

Zealand at the moment but the complete opposite here Derek!

Autumn arrived with a blast. Strong to severe gale force winds today

and heavy rain. Gwyneth McBurney sent in this picture of the flooded

rugby pitch in Dolgellau. While the wind brought down a few trees like

this oak at a school in Denbighshire. The windiest places

Mumbles Head in Swansea and Dyffryn Both recorded a gust of 69mph this

morning. While in the last 72 hours, 118mm, over 4 inches of rain, has

fallen at Capel Curig in Conwy. Over half the September average. So

The reason for the disturbed weather is nothing to do with

Hurricane Irene, but a normal Atlantic depression. Plus the jet

stream is right over us too which doesn't help. Tonight will continue

windy. Gusts 40 to 50mph. Some rain in places. And blustery showers.

Lowest temperatures 11 to 13 Tomorrow's chart shows lots of

isobars over Britain which means brisk and gusty winds. Fronts

approaching Ireland will bring more rain later. So tomorrow morning,

the southeast may start dry and bright. Some sunshine. Further west,

much cloudier. A few showers in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Breezy too. Strong winds on the coast. In the north, showers with

fresh to strong winds. So a few bright or sunny intervals tomorrow

but on the whole plenty of cloud. Some blustery showers as well.

These merging into rain in Mid Wales and the north during the

afternoon. Drier in the south. Windy but not as strong as today.

Top temperatures 17 Celsius. Tomorrow night, more rain and

drizzle will spread across the country. Heaviest on the mountains

in Mid Wales and the north. On Thursday outbreaks of rain and

drizzle. Friday will start damp but most places becoming dry and warmer

with southerly winds. The weekend very changeable and breezy but

there is a hint of better weather around the middle of September. If