A major independent review of how education funding in Wales is allocated to schools, colleges and universities has been announced by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. The Minister said: “We need to ensure our funding reaches the education front lines.” The First Minister for Wales made a commitment in his manifesto to refocus educational investment. The Education Minister has pledged to make this commitment a priority and the review will take this important agenda forward. The review will be conducted in two stages by external consultants with experience and expertise in this field to ensure complete objectivity and impartiality.
This report looks at how schools are tackling child poverty and disadvantage in Wales. It draws on evidence from the three Estyn reports on the RAISE initiative that were published in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and from inspection reports on schools and local authorities1. It also comments on the performance of disadvantaged learners in Wales and considers relevant research evidence. It identifies examples of effective practice and makes suggestions about further action that might be taken to improve the performance of disadvantaged pupils. The report is set in the context of the Welsh Assembly Government’s developing policy on child poverty.
The committee will continue its inquiry into the Funding of Post 16, Further and Higher Education. Oral Evidence will be provided by Colleges Wales, ADEW / WLGA, ASCL/NAHT and Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. There is also a paper from the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning. Papers and agenda for the meeting
The committee will continue its inquiry into safe places to hang out by receiving evidence from the Welsh Assembly Government, Play Wales and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
The National Practitioners’ Training Programme is a pilot project that aims to create an increase in the pool of practitioners able to teach or train through the medium of Welsh or bilingually, and therefore increase the number of learning opportunities taught and assessed through the medium of Welsh in all parts of Wales, as envisaged by Iaith Pawb.
The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the evidence (both in the UK and internationally) of the benefits of children and young people’s involvement in decision making in schools, local authorities and organisations.
Key results for 2008/09 and comparisons with 2007/08. The total number of HE enrolments at UK HEIs was 2,396,055, showing an increase of 4 per cent from 2007/08. The number of HE enrolments at Welsh HEIs was 126,475, an increase of 1 per cent. Full-time enrolments increased by 4 per cent and part-time enrolments decreased by 4 per cent.
HEFCW has a statutory obligation under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to secure that provision is made for assessing the quality of education in institutions for whose it provides support.
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has launched the start of building work on a £6m training centre which will provide vital skills for the energy industry for young people in North West Wales. The Energy and Fabrication Centre at Coleg Menai, Llangefni, will offer training and education facilities for people to work in the increasingly important energy sector, and was the First Minister’s first official engagement in North Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government is meeting two-thirds of the cost for the centre.
This survey evaluates and illustrates how 44 schools used creative approaches to learning. These schools had aspirations for their pupils to ask questions independently, make connections between ideas, think creatively, challenge and participate effectively, and reflect on their learning. The report also evaluates the impact on pupils’ achievement and personal development.
A major new report from the Young Foundation and the IDeA highlights that promoting and influencing happiness is no longer just an aspiration. As the recession forces difficult public spending choices, services focused on wellbeing are delivering widespread economic and social benefits – especially to children.
This unique conference will bring together national and international skills experts and leading thinkers to focus on the UK's future strategy for skills, jobs and growth. Attendance at this conference is strictly limited by the size of the venue and is therefore by invitation only at present. UKCES may be able to offer you a place should spaces become available by registering your interest.
The Talisman is a printed newspaper specifically for adult training and Further Education providers. This issue focuses on information and communication technology, good practices examples and case studies. More
