First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced his new Cabinet within hours of being sworn in to his new role. Leighton Andrews becomes Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning. Jane Hutt moves to a new portfolio as Minister for Business and Budget. Two new Deputy Ministers have been appointed following portfolio changes creating two new portfolios. Lesley Griffiths becomes Deputy Minister for Skills, Innovation and Science while Huw Lewis will lead a newly created portfolio as Deputy Minister for Children. In this role Mr Lewis will have particular responsibility for co-ordination of Government matters relating to child poverty.
Estyn is pleased to announce publication of its first ever 2010 newsletter for all education and training providers throughout Wales. The newsletter provides information and updates on the new inspection framework which will be rolled out across most sectors from September 2010. If you have any feedback or comments, please-mail: communications@estyn.gov.uk.
This document represents a consultation on the revised guidance on youth support services for young people aged 11-25 originally, issued in 2002 as Extending Entitlement. This Guidance makes clear the requirements on local authorities under Section 123 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. It sets out the legal Direction and responsibilities for youth support services and makes clear the type of support and opportunities young people should expect.
Dr Bill Maxwell, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector for Education and Training in Wales (Estyn) is to leave Wales in the New Year to take up his appointment as HM Senior Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland with effect from February 2010.
Statement from Dr Bill Maxwell:
“Although I am very excited about picking up the challenge of the chief inspector’s post back up in my native Scotland, I will be sorry to leave Wales. I have hugely enjoyed my time working in Wales at what is clearly a time of opportunity and progress for Welsh education in general and for Estyn in particular. In my two years in post I have very much appreciated the support I have received from Estyn’s staff and its Board, from Ministers and key officials within WAG, and from across our broad range of stakeholders, in taking forward the ambitious agenda we have established for improving the way in which inspection promotes improvement in the education system. I am confident that Estyn is now well placed to realise fully the potential of these recent developments and I look forward to sustaining mutually beneficial links between the Scottish and Welsh inspectorates, capitalising on the ancient Celtic connection!”
This article summarises the available statistics on young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Wales. As at end 2007, 11.5 per cent of 16-18 year olds were NEET (14,000) compared with 9.8 per cent (12,000) in 2006.
UVAC has been commissioned by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills to conduct a UK wide study of the progression of vocational and applied learners to higher education and higher level learning programmes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As part of the study, UVAC is holding a consultation and networking event at University of Wales Institute Cardiff on Tuesday 19th January 2010. There is no charge for attending the event.
This guidance is intended to help schools ensure all learners are given the opportunity to develop and apply their ICT skills. These skills should be recognised by a suitable external qualification during Key Stage 4. This guide is based on the broad premise that learners should be entitled to develop and apply their ICT skills and have these skills recognised during Key Stage 4 by a range of accredited qualifications. Schools should have the flexibility to determine which qualification is the most appropriate for individual learners.
A major campaign to promote the message that students can apply for their student finance at the same time as their applying for their university place has been welcomed by Education Minister Jane Hutt. In previous years first year students have been unable to apply for their financial package until April, after they had applied for their university place via UCAS.
This newsletter outlines the findings of the Student Withdrawal from Higher Education research report. The overall aim of this study was to undertake a systematic literature review which would inform and underpin subsequent empirical research among Welsh Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). A key objective was to identify areas about which little was known, and where investigation would enhance knowledge and understanding and inform policy.
In The Children's Plan the DCSF gave a commitment to commission an independent review of the impact of the commercial world on children's wellbeing. That assessment, conducted by Professor David Buckingham and a panel of experts, is now complete and this report presents their findings.
Ofsted surveyed a small sample of 26 schools to evaluate their capacity to respond effectively to changes in policy in terms of making provision for gifted and talented pupils, and to identify good and less effective practice.
The Talisman is a printed newspaper specifically for adult training and Further Education providers. This is an annual Report special issue covering Ofsted's inspection finding's from 2008/09 across the learning and skills sector, including case studies.
Four further Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) have been relicensed, Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Lord Mandelson announced, on behalf of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations. Creative & Cultural Skills (covering the creative and cultural industries), Proskills (covering the process and manufacturing sector) and Skillsmart Retail (covering the retail sector) and Lantra (covering the environmental and land-based sector) have been successful in their application for a further trademark licence to operate as SSCs and have gone through a comprehensive assessment process led by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
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