Estyn reports that local authorities need to do more to secure full-time education, training or employment for children and young people in the youth justice system. Figures show that between April 2006 and March 2007 only 59% of young offenders in Wales were in full-time education, training or employment. Press release Full report
There were 29,056 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers employed by LEAs, a decrease of 142 since January 2007. There were no vacancies in nursery schools, 45 in primary schools and 49 in secondary schools. The total vacancy rate was 0.3 per cent, down from 0.5 per cent in January 2007. More
Here are some headline findings from the study: 60% of staff respondents with Welsh Language Skills (WLS) had achieved a relevant qualification and/or received relevant training, 50-60% of staff with WLS had these skills at level 1 of 5. Staff in North Wales were most likely to be competent to higher levels (4 and 5) of WLS. More
There were 4,080 student enrolments at Welsh HEIs with some teaching through the medium of Welsh, 4.4 per cent greater than the number in 2005/06 (3,910). 3.1 per cent of student enrolments at Welsh HEIs had some teaching through the medium of Welsh, compared with 3.0 per cent in 2005/06. More
Education Minister Jane Hutt has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Tuscany and Catalonia in support of a planned mobility programme designed to allow students from Wales to participate in international training placements in their areas of study. More
The report was commissioned by the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills as part of its ongoing programme of work to improve the quality of learning in schools and the standards achieved by young people. Estyn was asked to provide advice on the progress made by secondary schools and their partner primary schools in meeting the statutory requirement introduced from September 2007. More
The number of pupils with a statement of SEN decreased by 3.8% during 2007, bringing the total number with a statement to 14,994 at January 2008. 1,404 pupils were newly assessed during 2007 as requiring a statement. Over 91 per cent (13,692 pupils) of the total pupils with statements at January 2008 were educated within their "home" local authority rather than in other authorities. More
This year’s conference will focus on employability and basic skills in the community and will incorporate a prestigious awards ceremony that will celebrate the work and achievements of learndirect learners, businesses and staff throughout the whole of Wales. For more information about the conference, please contact Ufi Cymru on 029 2049 4540. For more information about the awards ceremony, please visit www.learndirect.co.uk/awards
Total expenditure on SEN provision in 2008-09 is budgeted to be £321 million. This represents an increase of 4.5% on the previous year's budget. In terms of budgeted SEN expenditure per pupil, the highest spender is Ceredigion, whilst Rhondda Cynon Taf has the lowest budget per pupil. More
A package of new initiatives to help families and end child poverty as part of a renewed drive to increase social mobility has been announced by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper. More
Ed Balls has announced plans for the first ever new strategy to help the country’s secondary moderns - including the National Challenge schools who are below the 30 per cent minimum of five good GCSEs including English and Maths. More
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced record entries to the fifth national Apprenticeship Awards as the Government urges employers to offer Apprenticeship places. This year saw a forty per cent increase, with 1,400 entries from just over 1,000 last year. More
On 6 June 2008, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report (Skills for life: progress in improving adult literacy and numeracy) which examines the achievements of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Learning and Skills Council in improving adult literacy, numeracy and English language skills since 2006. More
On 28 May 2008, the New Zealand Council for Educational Research published a literature review (Outcomes of early childhood education) which aims to provide policy makers with a synthesis of research that analyses the impact of early childhood education for children and families. More
