News

• New Foundational Literacy and Numeracy plan published with 0-16 age focus 
• Plan is first step in commitment to raising standards and responds to education workforce concerns 
• Introduction of national indicators for literacy and numeracy, and new baseline assessment for school starters 

New national indicators, a baseline assessment for when children start school and guidance for teachers on what learners should be learning and when, have been outlined in a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy plan published today (15^th September).

• New partnership with Cosine to help improve how artificial intelligence (AI) works in Welsh.
• Welsh Government to provide data, resources and expertise to support Welsh language AI.
• Improving technology to help more people to use Welsh in everyday life.

A consultation seeking views on  guidance to restrict mobile phones in schools has launched.

• PISA results out today highlight the ongoing challenge of raising standards in Wales’ schools.

• However, results show Welsh schools are comparatively effective at supporting the most disadvantaged learners.

• Reading and science has remained broadly stable since 2022, providing a platform to improve.
• The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language has reassured teachers and leaders that there will be no knee-jerk response to the results and that plans are in place to support schools to raise standards.

This summer Bwyd a Hwyl Food and Fun entered its second decade, marking a major milestone with the programme reaching one million places being delivered, providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches alongside engaging activities for learners during the summer holidays.

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, has congratulated learners across Wales receiving their GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate and vocational qualification results. 

• 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.