The Minister has commissioned an independent task and finish group to review the structure of education services in Wales. The Chair of the group wrote to education stakeholders on 19 November 2010, inviting their views. The letter includes further information about the group's membership and terms of reference.
Education Minister Leighton Andrews has welcomed the publication of Future Ambitions: Developing Careers Services in Wales which sets out 60 recommendations for the future of career services in Wales. Statement and report.
21st Century Schools, the unique collaboration between the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Local Government Association, this week launched a web portal aimed at providing local authorities and other stakeholders across Wales with information on the 21st Century Schools Programme.
This 'Financial Contingency Fund 2010/11' sets out the terms and conditions for the payment by Welsh Ministers to institutions. The grant is specifically earmarked for the purposes of providing assistance for students in particular need.
Cyfres Bwrlwm (Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg) is a series of 12 Welsh language factual books written in a simple and friendly way to appeal to the reluctant reader. The series includes books on skydiving, fast cars and heroes and villain.
French Grammar is a comprehensive online resource for learning and revising French grammar. The resource is intended for pupils learning French that intend pursuing it to GCSE.
Children and young people across Wales are being encouraged to promote positive messages about their activities in all media in order to counter the negative images of them often seen throughout society. Press release
The aim of the conference was to equip education professionals with the skills, knowledge and understanding to tackle gender based bullying in schools. Presentations from the conference are now available.
DCELLS, in conjunction with a wide range of stakeholders, has been looking at the impact of the International Dimension in Education on school effectiveness and learner attainment – with very positive results. New tools have been developed to help schools assess impact and plan for the future, alongside examples of tried and tested activities, all with reference to the School Effectiveness Framework and the new Common Inspection Framework. Further information
DCELLS has provided funding through a British Council managed programme for a group of schools to link with schools in British Columbia (BC). The purpose of the visits, next February, will be to look at how schools in BC are improving literacy and numeracy through PLCs and to share ideas, build relationships and create a vibrant, interdependent international network. This is a unique development because there are few examples, around the world, of authentic international PLC networks. For further details, please contact Michelle Jones
The EQF is a common reference framework which links the qualifications of different countries together. It acts as a translation device to make qualifications easier to understand across different countries and systems in Europe. This helps learners and workers who are moving between countries, from job to job and from one education or training institution to another.
With DCELLS support, CollegesWales has recently appointed a Vocational Education and Training Mobility Coordinator. Sian Holleran will be working with all FEIs in Wales to develop and support mobility opportunities for learners, with priority on the submission of bids for EU funding through the Leonardo da Vinci programme by February 2011. The second function of the post is to support and develop international recruitment and commercial opportunities. For further information, please contact Sian Holleran
The British Council is organising an event for FE on: Internationalisation in challenging times: inspirations and opportunities. The conference will bring together a range of experts in the field of international activity in FE and VET. For further information please contact Edwina Lewis-Chaston at the British Council, Cardiff.
A proposal that the GCSE should be adapted to become a national examination for 14-year-olds is made by Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson of the University of Buckingham in a report published today by the Sutton Trust, which commissioned their research comparing education systems in the 30 countries of the OECD.
Tax Matters offers an accessible introduction to tax and National Insurance. The resources are designed especially for young people aged 11-19.
This research aims to inform succession planning across colleges in England by developing a deeper understanding of what motivates people to apply for senior jobs in FE, and what deters them.
Business Secretary Vince Cable and Skills Minister John Hayes have launched the Government's strategy for skills and reform of the further education and skills system.
