Welcome to the monthly pre 11 Dysg newsletter which is aimed specifically at practitioners in the Foundation Phase and Primary sector. This newsletter is being produced by the Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS). The newsletter is issued on a monthly basis.
A major report suggesting how more money can reach education front line services has been published by Education Minister Leighton Andrews. The report calculates the cost of administering education across Wales. It considers the numbers working in administering the education system, and crucially identifies opportunities to move resources from administration to the delivery of front line services.
Press release, full report, executive summary and background
The site is a central hub for schools and local authorities across Wales to learn more about the framework, forthcoming SEF events and will eventually allow schools to explore examples of good practice and add examples of their own good work.
The Child Poverty Strategy sets out the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision for tackling child poverty in Wales and improving outcomes for children and parents living in low income families. Consultation document
The helpline called Meic is the first of its kind in the UK to be rolled out on a national basis. The helpline, which is supported by more than £450,000 of Welsh Assembly Government funding, gives children and young people the opportunity to get help on issues important to them, if they feel they are not being heard or their opinion is not being taken into account on matters that affect them. Website
I am making this statement to provide an overview of the direction of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Performance Management (PM) and Professional Standards for educational practitioners (outside higher education) in Wales following the review that took place between September and December 2009.
The intention of this document is to explain the development of an important new long-term investment programme for Wales which aims to create a generation of 21st Century Schools. Background
Schools throughout Wales have started working on the National Data Collection for 2010, the electronic collection of Teacher Assessment data at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.
From 5 May 2010, the terms ‘Local Education Authority’ and ‘Children’s Services Authority’ have been replaced by the term ‘Local Authority’ in both primary and secondary legislation. This brings the legislation in line with current practice and will not change its substantive meaning.
Two new leaflets have now been designed to inform primary and secondary school pupils on the safe use of mobile phones. The leaflets have been developed by the Welsh Assembly Government with involvement from the Health Protection Agency, Public Health Wales, Department of Health and external child-orientated focus groups such as Funky Dragon as well as a number of schools in Wales.
This document provides guidance on achieving alignment between assessment for learning and assessment of learning. Effective assessment, and the systems underpinning it, is key to high-quality teaching and learning, and to successful schools.
This publication provides 10 in-service training (INSET) activities focusing on the teaching of writing in all subjects across the curriculum at Key Stages 2 and 3. The aim is to provide guidance on ways to teach writing skills in order to help learners to become more effective writers.
This guidance aims to provide advice to schools and Local Authorities on meeting the educational needs of children and young people with medical needs.
This resource could be used for Foundation Phase in either language or as a good revision exercise for Welsh 2nd Language at KS2.
NGfL Cymru worked in conjunction with UWIC press to deliver video and interactive activities based on Cefyn Burgess and his Chapels artwork.
More resources at the National Grid for Learning Cymru
Schools Census, 2010 (provisional)
Schools in Wales: Examination Performance 2009
Walk to School Week helps children Change4Life
Minister to meet international education expert to discuss pioneering policy
Minister in north Wales to showcase Welsh-medium Education Strategy
Funding to help families into employment
Minister at sod-cutting ceremony for new school
Wales’ first National Child Poverty Conference
The Strategic Plan 2010-2013 outlines the vision, values and purpose for Estyn over the next three years. The Annual Plan 2010-2011 is clearly linked to the higher level Strategic Plan and provides the detail of how the inspectorate will achieve its strategic objectives over the next year. The plan also outlines Estyn’s planned inspection activity and remit report areas for 2010-2011.
Estyn is inviting applications from headteachers, deputy and assistant headteachers to train as Peer Inspectors for Welsh medium schools. Peer Inspectors will be full members of the inspection teams from September. Applicants may or may not have experience of working on Estyn inspections or may have trained previously as a Peer Assessor. A four-day training/assessment programme will be organised in September. Full details will be available at www.estyn.gov.uk on 7 June and applications must be submitted by 5 July 2010.
Press release, full report and WAG response
If you are interested in content that is relevant to the post 11 sector, please read the weekly: post 11 Dysg newsletter
The school curriculum for Wales
National data collection - key dates
School Term and Holiday Dates 2009-10
National Grid for Learning Cymru
Cadwyn newsletters for governors
Please note that the next edition will be issued in July
