News

• Families could be eligible for up to £200 to support learners with school uniform costs
• The School Essentials Grant application is open to support eligible families with children in reception to year 11

As preparation for back-to-school begins, families are being reminded to check if they are eligible for a School Essentials Grant, which helps support learners with school uniform costs.

• The National Centre for Learning Welsh leads a national Learn Welsh programme that helps health and care staff develop the skills and confidence to use Welsh in the workplace.
• Receiving care in Welsh can help people feel more comfortable, feel understood and take part in decisions about their care.
• Support for students and trainees helps grow the bilingual health and care workforce of the future.

• £2.7 million for Urdd centres at Pentre Ifan, Llangrannog and Glan-llyn
• £400,000 to help communities establish social enterprises and community-led housing projects
• The investment aims to strengthen community facilities and support the social use of the Welsh language

New national indicators for literacy and numeracy will provide a clearer picture of progress and support raising educational standards.

• New focus on delivery after years of talking about ambition
• Half of Wales’s children to begin their journey in Welsh-medium education by 2050
• Work has already begun in first 100 days to strengthen the language in areas with a higher density of Welsh speakers

The Welsh Government has announced £15m to start enabling more secondary pupils to receive free school meals.

• The Welsh Government will issue statutory guidance to schools on restricting the use of mobile phones in schools following a consultation.
• A workforce survey found a large majority of respondents wanted greater national direction on phone use in schools.
• The Education Minister has set out her priorities including raising standards, strengthening the Welsh language, developing skills and building a system that works for everyone.

• A more competitive incentive to attract and retain new teachers in secondary education has been announced today as part of 100-day plan.
• £5,000 increase for priority subject areas, including mathematics, Welsh and science.