General

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Professional dialogue and enquiry are crucial in helping to develop our understanding of pedagogy in the context of Curriculum for Wales. Across Wales, collaborative networks and professional learning programmes have been developed by education partners to give all school leaders and teachers opportunities to develop in this important area.  See what each area is offering below, and if you haven’t seen it yet, please take a look at the reflecting on the 12 pedagogical principles resource as a useful start point.

EAS

Pedagogy is a golden thread across all EAS networks. Practitioners can click on the relevant TEAM link to find opportunities to join in: Teaching assistants, NQT, Teachers, Deputy Heads, Head Teachers.

In spring and summer 2024 we will be piloting a new programme ‘Supporting learner Progress’. Over three days teachers will observe live practice (in two different schools), engage with research and identify an area for development that will support learner progression. They will then be supported to turn research into action in the classroom. Click here for more information and to book a place.

What else is on offer and where can you find it? Contact Daniel Davies, Pedagogy Lead at EAS (daniel.davies@sewaleseas.org.uk ), or visit our ‘Supporting our school’ website where you will find our Professional Learning Offer.

CSC

Support for subject specific and signature pedagogies is integrated into a cohesive and comprehensive offer at CSC. Cathryn Billington-Richards (Cathryn.Billington-Richards@cscjes.org.uk ) and Kathryn Lewis (Kathryn.A.Lewis@cscjes.org.uk ) have embedded professional learning for pedagogy and teaching within all aspects of their work. See their overview of all professional learning opportunities here .

Professional learning opportunities related to specific aspects of teaching and learning are available here:

• leading learning and improving teaching for those with leadership responsibilities;
•  exploring approaches to ensuring high challenge for all ;
• exploring effective formative assessment ; 
• exploring learner effectiveness and learner independence

The following supportive materials are also available:

• CSC Enabling Equity and Excellence document  
• An introduction to cognitive science and how it is applied to teaching 
• Resources to develop mathematics pedagogy (teaching)  
• Pedagogy to enhance curriculum design in International Languages 

Our bespoke support for all areas of teaching and assessment, can be reached through your Improvement Partner or email support@cscjes.org.uk.

GWE

GWE, through Tracey Jones, are strengthening existing years 3 through to 8 networks and secondary teaching and learning networks by developing an 8-11 network.  This will be focused on exploring pedagogy within a process orientated curriculum and the principles of progression. To date, 20 new schools from across the region have engaged with the 8-11 network and we will be looking to grow this over the next year. The main focus of the network is to develop understanding of research-informed strategies to use at the appropriate stage in learning. 

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A consultation opened on 21 November, exploring options for changing the school calendar. Changes are aimed at enhancing learner and staff well-being and supporting teaching and learning, with breaks being spread out more evenly. The first change would create a two-week half term autumn break, reducing the summer break by one week. The amount of teaching days and holidays will not change.

In this podcast, Headteachers from primary, secondary and 3-19 schools discuss the potential impacts and implications for teaching staff, learners and parents. The discussion is chaired by Tegwen Ellis, Chief Executive of the National Academy for Education Leadership Wales (NAEL).

Listen on our channel through your chosen platform below:

Apple podcasts 

Spotify

Spreaker

Or for any mobile phone, use this ‘magic link’

The consultation ends on 12 February. It can be found here.

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The new Curriculum for Wales Policy Group works to overcome challenges faced by practitioners like you as you implement Curriculum for Wales. It includes practitioners from different types of schools and settings all over Wales.

The group will meet about once a month and workshops will focus on:

• Co-development of policy
• Steering and promoting the National Network
• Review and update of Curriculum for Wales Framework guidance

Over time other colleagues will be able to join the group. If you are working in a school or setting that’s using Curriculum for Wales and have a passion for working with others to co-construct solutions, please complete the Expression of interest form for the reserve list.

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The UK Government has recently published draft trans guidance for schools in England. It will not apply to schools in Wales.

Wales will have its own guidance, and Welsh Government is working closely with school leaders, practitioners and a wide range of stakeholders on its development. Draft guidance will be ready later in the Spring and there will be a full public consultation on its contents.

Providing appropriate national guidance to support trans children and young people in education was a commitment in the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, published in February 2023. The plan set out Welsh Government’s commitment to defend and promote the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people.

Education leaders and practitioners have been clear that they need national guidance to support trans and non-binary children and young people to feel valued, included and safe in their education.

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As Curriculum for Wales continues to roll out, more and more schools and colleagues are working together on co-constructing relevant, engaging curricula for their pupils. Stories abound of the genuine joy – and hard work – of working together to create something new.

Many schools have also been kind enough to share their stories and help create case studies that share the process and the journey – for it is a journey.

So a huge thanks to you. To all practitioners, all education workers in Wales, for your work and passion which is a profound investment in the future of our young people.

Have a lovely Christmas, and may the words of two stars of a recent case study film (about teachers returning to Wales to teach) ring in your ears as you reach the end of term.

With thanks to the pupils and staff at Ysgol Gymunedol Trimsaran.

The case study section on Hwb is here.

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“I’m learning a lot, listening to what people are doing.”

A series of workshops is underway, giving practitioners valuable insights into the approaches others are taking to ensure their curriculum supports equity and inclusion for all their learners, as well as sharing their experiences.  Dates are available now for events in January and February, and practitioners can register using the link below.

The events include a marketplace session to meet and connect with organisations in your region that can support staff and learners with aspects of equity and inclusion.

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Oliver Stacey, Senior Qualifications Manager at Qualifications Wales, has been at the heart of work to reform qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds in Wales. He reflects on the collaborative approach that led to the development of these new qualifications, and the next steps on the journey.

There have been fundamental changes in education in Wales in recent years. The Curriculum for Wales has brought about a major shift in what children learn and how they’re taught. So, in support of the Curriculum, we’re developing a range of new and exciting qualifications, designed to ensure that our young people will leave education qualified for the future.

We know that GCSEs and other qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds have a considerable influence on the way that learners in Years 10 and 11 experience the Curriculum. So, we’ve developed new and updated qualifications to support that learning, starting with Made-for-Wales GCSEs.

It is essential that these qualifications reflect the Curriculum’s six areas of learning and experience (AoLEs), as well as supporting learners to realise its four purposes. We’ve delved deep into the GCSE offer, as well as into other qualifications that are available, keeping these considerations central to our reform work in the 14-16 qualifications space.

We have managed the reform of GCSEs and the wider offer of qualifications available to 14 to 16-year-olds separately, as distinct programmes of work, to give both areas the focus they require. We’re looking forward to sharing the findings and decisions in early 2024.

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For the first time since 2019, headteachers came together in Cardiff to hear Minister Jeremy Miles give a keynote speech, put questions to him, and take part in workshops led by fellow headteachers, followed by a panel discussion involving Estyn, Qualifications Wales, Swansea Council and the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research.

Workshop topics focused on learning after Covid, addressing learning policy 14-16 (in advance of a consultation early in 2024); learning which is inclusive, interesting and relevant but also aspirational; family engagement; effective practice in Additional Learning Needs; and yes, headteacher well-being. All sessions were recorded.

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A consultation opened on 21^st November, exploring options for changing the school calendar. Changes are aimed at enhancing pupil and staff well-being and supporting teaching and learning, with breaks being spread out more evenly. The first change would create a 2-week half term autumn break, reducing the summer break by one week. The amount of teaching days and holidays will not change.

One reason for the proposed change is that the current school calendar has an autumn term longer than others. Research suggests this term is tiring and challenging for learners and staff, as more teaching is squeezed into it than any other.

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The National Network was created by Welsh Government with practitioners as a forum to discuss Curriculum for Wales implementation and practice. It meets again on 29^th November.

This virtual session will focus on developing a shared understanding of progression using resources including Understanding curriculum in practice: Camau i’r Dyfodol , and designing curriculum with progression in mind using resources developed during a recent curriculum design pilot project: Curriculum Design Pilot 2023.

Colleagues from across Wales will take part, and practitioners can register to attend here: Sgwrs Rhydwaith Cenedlaethol Cwricwlwm a Chynnydd/ National Network Conversation Curriculum and Progression

Also see the resources from previous sessions here.