The figures show a decline in learner numbers across all sectors (FE institutions, LEA community learning and work-based learning provision) between 2005/06 and 2006/07. There were 297,890 learners in-learning with FE Institutions, Community Learning or Work-based Learning providers during 2006/07, a reduction of 3.4 per cent on 2005/06. More
Estyn has published a report calling for more Welsh-medium and bilingual courses and qualifications to be made available to 14-19 year olds. The inspectorate recommends that schools, colleges and training providers should work together to make Welsh-medium or bilingual sessions more accessible to learners. Press release and Full report
Most schools are managing the introduction of the Welsh Baccalaureate in key stage 4 well says Estyn. Twenty-one schools are teaching the Welsh Baccalaureate at Foundation and Intermediate levels at key stage 4 as part of a pilot project introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government. Press release, full report
41,150 NVQs and 65,540 VRQs were awarded in Wales. The number of NVQs awarded in Wales increased by 4 per cent compared with 2005/06 and continues the upward trend since 2001/02. More
"Schools in Wales: Examination Performance" contains information on the examination performance of pupils in schools in Wales. More
Montgomeryshire was the constituency with the lowest percentage of pupils of compulsory school age entitled to free school meals at 9.3, whilst Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, and Rhondda had the highest percentage at 27.6. More
The Modern Apprenticeship Awards - Wales 2008 is looking to reward apprentices, learning providers, colleges and employers who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Modern Apprenticeship programme in Wales. Application forms can be downloaded from www.wales.gov.uk/maawards All entries must be received no later than 31 July 2008. More
Science teachers need better in-service training to improve standards for 14-19 year old learners, says a report published by Estyn. Standards are lower in science than in almost all other subjects in secondary schools and the quality of teaching in science is also generally worse. Press release and full report
Children with special educational needs could soon have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales in relation to decisions made by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in Wales about their education, under plans to be unveiled by the Welsh Assembly Government. More
The research report LLUK undertook profiling the skills issues in the Youth service workforce in Wales is now available on the website on the following links. More
A report published by Estyn reveals that standards in physical education have improved in almost all schools that have been involved with this initiative for some time. The Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) initiative aims to raise standards in physical education. Press release and full report
Vocational qualifications make a big difference to career prospects. That's the message from a survey by YouGov, released ahead of the first national celebration of vocational qualifications on 23rd July. Compared with people who have degrees, holders of vocational qualifications are half as likely to spend a long time looking for work and 23 per cent more likely to feel ready to work from day one. More
The Schools Secretary Ed Balls has announced plans for a major overhaul of how some of society’s most troubled and challenging young people are educated and how we can tackle poor behaviour at a much earlier stage. Ministers are determined to ensure that excluded youngsters do not end up in crime or unemployment. More
New figures on further education, work-based learning and Train to Gain in England 2006/07 have been published. Learners' success rates are high and continue to improve, showing FE colleges and work-based learning providers continue to serve both young people and adults well, said Skills Minister David Lammy. More
Teaching sustainability in schools can help bring the significance of climate change to life and show children that that they each have an important part to play in helping to protect the environment, according to the latest report by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. More
A new agreement between the Government and employers will deliver more skilled workers to do the jobs of the future in science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, Skills Secretary John Denham has announced. More
