General

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

Taith is Wales’ international learning exchange programme, creating life-changing opportunities to learn, study and volunteer all over the world.  On 3 October Taith opens its next call for funding applications – this will be a ‘Pathway 2’ funding call.

What is Pathway 2?

Pathway 2 funding is available to any non-profit educational or training organisation based in Wales who is looking to fund an international collaborative project.  Organisations within the schools, youth, adult education and further education/vocational education and training sectors are able to apply. 

To qualify for funding a project must support educational innovation and address a specific issue or sector priority in Wales. 

Pathway 2 projects offer staff and learners with opportunities to enhance their understanding, knowledge and application of a key theme or topic whilst developing a project output from their learning in collaboration with international partners.

Project Output

Whilst visiting an international partner, known as a mobility, is a component of Pathway 2 projects, the primary focus of these projects is not the personal benefits to individual participants. Rather, international mobilities are intended to facilitate the development and successful completion of project deliverables which addresses a specific issue or sector priority in Wales.  Pathway 2 projects are all about creating and sharing results that bring lasting benefits – not just for the organisations involved, but also for the applicant’s sector, as well as for Wales and the international partner countries. 

Themes

To qualify for Pathway 2 funding your organisations’ projects must align with at least one of the identified Taith themes.  For Pathway 2 2024 the themes are ‘Developments in Education’, ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ and ‘Sustainability and Climate Change’.  It is worth noting that Taith themes are set annually so you may see them change in future years.

Taith is dedicated to making international exchange more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Its strategy focuses on helping people who have been underrepresented in international exchange – such as those from disadvantaged or ethnic minority backgrounds, Disabled individuals, and people with additional learning needs – gain access to these valuable opportunities.

Looking for inspiration?

• Pencoed Primary School, joined together with two other schools, Ysgol Y Gogarth and Ysgol Pen Rhos to apply for Taith Pathway 2 funding to support the development and sustainability of community focused schools in Wales.
• Plan International UK applied for funding to deliver a virtual project which will empower Welsh youth sector professionals to create supportive environments for essential discussions, address sensitive topics, and help young people. It will provide resources to challenge attitudes and behaviours that contribute to Gender-Based Violence.
• Disability Sport Wales will create two resources to help people identify available para sports pathways and understand the impairment profiles and requirements of National Governing Bodies when recruiting athletes.
• Cardiff and Vale College will develop an innovative resource to boost employment rates for individuals with ALN by helping employers and support networks provide meaningful, sustainable opportunities for neurodiverse people.
• ColegauCymru/CollegesWales will address issues from Estyn’s June 2023 report on peer-on-peer sexual harassment among 16-18-year-olds in further education. The project will focus on preventing misogynistic attitudes and cultures in FE learners and developing a transnational Community of Practice.
• In line with Taith and the Welsh Government’s equality objectives, particularly the vision for an anti-racist Wales, Diverse Cymru applied for funding to develop inclusive, community-led resources. These resources aim to address the acknowledged inequities faced by minority ethnic communities in the adult education sector across Wales.

Taith’s website makes it easy to filter project summaries.  Use the left-hand column to filter by Pathway, and click the magnifying glass icon next to the Organisation Name to view brief summaries of projects funded in previous calls.

Get ready to apply

Timelines for applications

• 3rd October 2024: Opening of Pathway 2 (2024) funding call.
• 21st November 2024, 12pm: Application deadline.
• March 2025: Outcome notifications will be sent to all applying organisations.
• 1st May 2025: Projects can commence.

Want to know more?  Why not sign up to one of Taith’s webinars?

In these webinars Taith will provide an overview of Pathway 2 2024 funding call and share details of the eligibility criteria, eligible activities and costs as well as providing guidance on how to prepare for your application.

This will also be a great opportunity for organisations to raise any questions with the Taith team.

8th October 12.00-13.30 English session  

8th October 16:00-17:30 Welsh session 

22^nd October 12:00-13:30 Welsh session

22^nd October 16:00-17:30 English session

To learn more about Taith and the funding available visit www.Taith.wales

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

With the new school year in full swing, the Cabinet Secretary for Education has outlined her priorities and how children and young people will remain at the heart of education policy. She also welcomes Vikki Howells, the new Minister for Further & Higher Education to the Education Wales team.

Education Secretary, Lynne Neagle said:

“In my six months as Cabinet Secretary for Education I have been privileged to see the excellent work done in our schools and colleges. It is clear we all share the same priority, in always putting the interests of children and young people first in our decisions.

I’m very much looking forward to working with you all again this term, as I renew my focus on raising standards and attainment, continuing to improve attendance and ensuring the wellbeing of all learners.

Listening and talking to you is something I have really valued, in ministerial roundtables, on visits and at events. Last term this helped me in my decision not to press ahead with changing school term dates, providing additional support for the curriculum and ongoing work to simplify ALN implementation. And the value we place upon our public servants and your commitment to improving the lives of our learners is reflected in the Government’s decision to award above inflation pay rises.

The First Minister has set out her priorities for the remainder of the Government following a listening exercise during the Summer, with improving standards in schools and colleges high up the agenda.

Later this term I will set out clear priorities aimed at improving standards for all learners. This will focus on demonstrable improvements in literacy, and numeracy with well-being and equity at the forefront.

We are supporting schools to adopt innovative approaches to teaching numeracy and literacy and putting our literacy and numeracy framework on a statutory footing. This is alongside our Mathematics Support Programme which provides comprehensive teaching resources and activities for all learners.

Phase two of our Attainment Champions pilot, begins this month and will see more partner schools recruited to the scheme which shares innovative practices to improve the educational experiences for learners facing disadvantage.

I know there is a strong link between school attendance and attainment, our reforms can only succeed if children are in school.

We have seen an improvement in attendance, and there is plenty of good practice happening in schools. However, I know there is more we can do, and I will be making sure efforts are targeted towards the groups of pupils who we know are most likely to be not attending school, those from lower income families, secondary age children and pupils in key exam years. 

This month marks the start of the final year of the initial implementation of the ALN system. I have witnessed incredible progress and commitment from the education workforce, and wonderful examples of schools, children and families putting the needs of every child first. There have been more than 10,000 statutory Individual Development Plans (IDPs) agreed in the past 12 months, an incredible testament to our workforce.

However, I know from what you and parents are telling me that we also face challenges in implementing ALN reform, which is why I have taken action, including commissioning an examination of the legislative framework to ensure it is delivering for learners.

I recognise the financial challenges many families face. This is why we have several schemes in place such as the School Essentials Grant to help low-income families buy uniform and sports kits. We are the only nation in the UK to offer all state primary schools a free school meal to children, which help learning and makes sure they have a nutritional meal. We all know a healthy school meal can help with learner concentration and wellbeing enabling them to achieve their full potential, which is why during this school year we will review the nutritional content of school meals.

I’m delighted to be joined by a new Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells. Her appointment is part of the new Cabinet announced by the First Minister. The new team offers stability, draws on experience, and brings our collective talents together.

Alongside the Minister for Further and Higher Education, I look forward to working with Medr, the new commission for tertiary education and research which is now operational, over the next year on how we can improve post statutory education strategic planning, including increasing the numbers of learners in post 16 education.

I want to thank all of you for your continued hard work and commitment as we work together to ensure all learners are supported to achieve their full potential.”

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

The Pupil Development Grant (PDG) is a key enabler for tackling the impact of poverty on educational attainment and ensuring our national mission of high standards and aspirations for all.

Welsh Government guidance recommends schools and settings focus their spend on eight key areas which are of most benefit to children from low-income households.

Estyn highlight that effective schools reduce the impact of poverty by focusing on:

• ensuring all pupils, especially those experiencing poverty, have access to the very best learning and teaching, and by
• building relationships with ‘parents, the local community and specialist services to meet the needs of pupils and their families’ – the key tenets of Community Focused Schools.

Case studies

New video case studies show how PDG is being used to best support children and young people across Wales. The schools include Ysgol Plasmawr, Ysgol Borthyn, Ysgol Nant Caerau, Awel y Môr Primary School, Bridgend College, Craigfelen Primary School, Idris Davies School, Llandeilo Primary School and Parc Primary School.

From supporting high quality learning and teaching to engaging with families and raising aspirations, education practitioners in early years, primary and secondary schools and settings share how they plan and spend PDG to support the progression and wellbeing of learners impacted by poverty.

David Williams, headteacher of Parc Primary School in Treorchy, said:

“We’ve got around 65% of our children who are classed as vulnerable, so the PDG has really transformed how we support our vulnerable families and our low-income families. What it allows us to do is ensure there is equity for all our stakeholders; the pupils, the parents and carers of the school, the wider community.

“We’re very passionate and proud here about the opportunities we give the children and the parents. The children engage in a wide range of activities. They’re learning about the fire triangle, they’re growing and cultivating their own crops, they’re looking at the weather. There is plenty of evidence already of the impact.”

EEF Toolkits

The EEF Toolkits are another free to access resource for schools providing a evidence-based source of methods to improve learning for disadvantaged pupils.

Spread the word

When parents and carers register as eligible for free school meals with their Local Authority, this unlocks access to the School Essentials Grant. It also means schools get more funding.

With the introduction of free school meals for primary pupils, many parents and carers do not realise that schools will lose out unless they continue to register as eligible.

So spread the word by sharing: https://www.gov.wales/get-help-school-costs  

Even if they don’t need the grant, registering as eligible will mean schools get additional funding.

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

Following consultation earlier this year, statutory guidance on 14 to 16 Learning under Curriculum for Wales (CfW) has been published today.

This complements the publication of the first wave of reformed GCSE exam specifications from WJEC later this month and aims to support schools to plan and design their curriculum for the first cohort of year 10 learners under CfW from September 2025.

What’s next?

From September 2025 the curriculum offer for 14 to 16 year olds should be organised around the four components of the 14 to 16 Learner Entitlement alongside qualifications during years 10 and 11.

What will be required of schools/practitioners?

To design a 14 to 16 curriculum offer that:

• ensures everything a learner experiences is in pursuit of the four purposes.
• includes an appropriate mix of general, vocational and skill-based qualifications at different levels, based on the needs of their learners, with all learners benefitting from challenging, stretching and ambitious qualifications in English, Welsh, Mathematics and the Sciences.
• provides dedicated curriculum time to support their learners to understand their strengths, and to plan for their next steps post 16.
• ensures all their year 10 and 11 learners continue to learn across all Areas and mandatory elements of the curriculum, and that they make progress in all four components of the Learner Entitlement.  

As schools plan for September 2025, we will provide resources to support practitioners and senior leaders in designing their curriculum offer in line with the guidance. This will include process maps for curriculum design along with good practice case studies focusing on learner effectiveness.  These supporting materials will be published throughout the Autumn term with the first available later this month alongside the publication of WJEC’s Made for Wales GCSE specifications.

We are also developing a targeted package of professional learning for senior leaders to support them as new qualifications and the Learner Entitlement are introduced from September 2025. This will complement the work of Welsh Government curriculum colleagues on curriculum design, progression and assessment, whilst supplementing WJEC’s professional learning schedule for the Made-for-Wales GCSEs.  Full details of the package of professional learning will be publicised in Dysg by the end of September.

Written Statement: Publication of Curriculum for Wales 14 to 16 Learning Guidance (18 September 2024)

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

Please read this statement published today from the Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle.

It covers recommendations for amendments to teachers’ pay and conditions from September 2024.

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

From September 2026, all learners aged 3-16 will be following the Curriculum for Wales. The aspiration of the curriculum is that all learners leave education at 16 with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to succeed as they move to the next stage of their education, training or employment.

Following on from the consultation earlier this year, statutory guidance will be published in September setting out the legal requirements and the Welsh Government’s policy expectations for a school’s curriculum for 14 to 16-year-old learners under the Curriculum for Wales.

The guidance will be accompanied by detail of a package of professional learning and resources to support schools in designing, implementing, and reviewing their curriculum for years 10 and 11.

This will include good practice case studies, professional learning on learner effectiveness and targeted support on curriculum design.

The new GCSEs

Qualifications Wales has reformed GCSE qualifications in Wales to reflect what learners are being taught as part of the new curriculum.

Reformed GCSEs are being introduced in a phased approach, with the first wave being taught in schools from September 2025.

Schools will have a full academic year to prepare for teaching of this first wave of new GCSEs following the publication of final qualification specifications in September 2024 (draft specifications are already available).

With support from Adnodd and Welsh Government, WJEC will offer a package of teaching resources and professional learning opportunities  to support schools and practitioners to deliver these new qualifications.

Other National 14-16 Qualifications

It’s not just GCSEs which are being updated to reflect the new curriculum.

Qualifications Wales has also consulted on, and is now taking forward the development of, a wider set of 14-16 qualifications in Wales.

These will comprise the exciting new VCSE qualification, Foundation Qualifications and the Skills Suite (encompassing Skills for Life, Skills for Work and the Personal Project).

These qualifications will be available for teaching in school from September 2027.

Adnodd, Qualifications Wales and Welsh Government will work with awarding bodies to ensure that bilingual teaching and learning resources will be available to support the delivery of these new national qualifications.

Keep Informed

Qualifications Wales has a dedicated hub for the reformed National 14 to 16 Qualifications where you can stay up-to-speed with the latest announcements, access resources and ask questions.

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

The School Essentials Grant scheme for 2024-25 opened on 1 July.

Up to £200 is available for children whose families are on lower incomes for school uniform and other essentials, in all year groups from reception to year 11.

In order to make sure all eligible families apply, we have made it easy for schools to share information with parents on how to apply for the grants available.

Even if learners are receiving Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is important to still check eligibility to access the School Essentials Grant and extra funding for schools.

A leaflet in 19 languages is available here, along with resources and advice for schools on how to share information.

School uniform schemes – case studies

As well as the school essentials grant there are excellent initiatives taking place in schools across Wales to support families in keeping school uniform costs down.

Case studies from Children in Wales highlight some of these schemes.

For example at Blaenhonddan Primary in Neath Port Talbot, ‘Eco Warriors’ pupils have helped to set up a recycling scheme providing families with school uniform free of charge.

At Ysgol Emmanuela in Denbighshire, where 63% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, the PTA have set up a free logo embroidery scheme. Parents take school jumpers to a local shop, the logo is embroidered, and the school is charged, with suppliers invoicing the PTA directly.

More information

Letter to schools from Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle

Help with school costs:  https://www.gov.wales/get-help-school-costs

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn is the largest special school in Swansea, for pupils aged 3 to 19. Pupils have a wide range of severe, complex and specific additional learning needs, including Autism and communication difficulties.

In March 2024, seven pupils and accompanying staff took part in a Taith learning exchange to Florida. The pupils participated in lessons at two American schools and also had the opportunity to undertake work experience with pupils from Orange County.  The trip has resulted in pupils feeling more confident, learning important life skills and making connections with American students. Another group of pupils will be travelling to Florida in March 2025. 

Vanessa Palmer, Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, applied for Taith funding to give pupils the opportunity to explore a different environment and to develop their independence and life skills. “It’s important for our pupils to get the opportunity to develop their confidence and to be able to take part in activities that they would never have had the opportunity to. Some pupils had never been on a plane before, some pupils had never been able to experience different foods, different cultures.

“The Taith funding allowed us to have the high staff ratio to be able to go and take the pupils, because they do rely on staff support and Taith recognised that. Taith are one of the best organisations to enable exchanges for our learners, and those with additional learning needs as well, and sometimes our pupils are forgotten. They have become a lot more confident since the trip, they don’t stop talking about the Taith project.”

The majority of the strategies Pen-y-Bryn uses to support their ALN learners originally come from America. Through the Taith project, staff also had the opportunity to observe these strategies first hand and to bring back good practice which is now being trialled and adapted to Pen-y-Bryn’s school setting.  Mrs Palmer said  “Everything that staff have learnt will have a major impact on our pupils. We want to develop our staff to be the best they can be in order for our learners to get the best curriculum and the best education that they deserve.”

Headteacher Gethin Sutton said “A learning exchange is important because it does exactly that, it enables our pupils to experience things that are out of their general experience, to see what the world of education looks like in different parts of the world, to work with learners that perhaps look similar to them but live in a place that’s very different to where they live and that’s just a joyous thing.”

Watch the video to hear the pupils and staff talk all about their life changing trip, and the impact it had on them.

Taith is Wales’ international learning exchange programme, creating life-changing opportunities to learn, study and volunteer all over the world.  So far, 3528 learners and staff have taken part in learning exchanges all over the world since the launch of the programme in 2022.

Taith’s mission is to make international exchange more inclusive and accessible and it encourages participation from people from underrepresented groups – including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, ethnic minority backgrounds, Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. Taith offers additional support for organisations working with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, Disabled people, and people with additional learning needs.

To learn more about Taith and the funding available visit www.Taith.wales.

The next call for funding applications from international collaborative projects led by educational and training organisations in Wales will open October 2024.

Pathway 1 (mobility for participants) will open January 2025.

More info here: https://www.taith.wales/sector_schools/funding-opportunities/

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

In the past three months the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, has visited schools and settings and met with individuals from across the education sector to see the Curriculum for Wales in action and to listen to their experiences.

Significant progress is being made in many areas, but some practitioners are asking for more support to help them develop their curriculum. All year groups will be learning through the Curriculum for Wales from September 2026.

During her Oral Statement in the Senedd the Cabinet Secretary outlined what support will be available to help the workforce.

Nationally available Collaborative Support for Curriculum Design, progression and assessment

Work will begin on this in the autumn with clear tools and templates being published to give schools a model process for developing and enhancing their curriculum – regardless of their starting point.

This will also help provide further detail on approaches to assessing learning, evaluating progress, and communicating this. We will publish the first of these next Spring and continue to build on these into the following academic year.

We will also share examples of what approaches can look like in practice.

The Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competence Frameworks

These will be put on a statutory footing, with a programme of National Professional Learning to support Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum, piloted in 2025 and expanded throughout the 2025/26 academic year.

Consultation on a revised and strengthened Literacy and Numeracy framework will take place in 2025, with a view to publishing statutory guidance in 2026.

Materials to support designing and planning learning within and across the Areas of Learning and Experience which will be trialled next academic year, helping schools to select content to develop knowledge and skills across different areas and disciplines.

Lynne Neagle said:

“None of this takes anything away from those schools who are already realising the Curriculum for their children.

“This is about putting a solid foundation in place for those that need it – not putting a ceiling on the innovation we are already seeing across the country”.

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

The ‘Finding your words: Suicide and self-harm prevention in schools’ Conference took place in April with over 300 people in attendance.

The speech from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle is now available to view online.

Guidance is available designed to help adults who work with children and young people respond to issues of suicide and self-harm.

It includes advice on how to ask questions regarding suicidal feelings or self-harming, and how to respond to disclosure of these feelings and behaviours.