Comprehensive schools in Wales will be placed into performance bands from September, the Education Minister has announced. The new scheme will not be about "naming and shaming", but is expected to group schools into four or five bands, measured on the level of support needed.

"The national school banding system is a tool to help us be effective in driving improvement across the board," explained Leighton Andrews. "The most important aspect of banding will be the support, challenge and sharing of best practice that follow."

Unions have been strongly opposed to the reintroduction of league tables, which rank schools from best to worst. The unions have given the proposals a cautious welcome, the BBC reports.

Dr Philip Dixon, Director of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Cymru said they were prepared to give a cautious welcome to the banding proposals.

"However, the proof of the pudding will be in the extra support that schools will receive to improve their performance," he added. "The success or otherwise of the school branding proposals will be judged on that."

Anne Brychan, Director of the National Association of Headteachers Cymru said: "We welcome the fact that the minister is making clear the purpose of the branding system is to identify the level of support and challenge required by individual schools to help them achieve what we all want."

The performance bands will come into effect in the autumn.

Do you want all the latest education news in Wales straight to your inbox? Sign up to our free e-newsletter now.