‘My statement today is to provide Members with an update on progress made and our continuing commitment in line with our Programme of Government to fund high quality buildings and ICT provision through the 21st Century Schools Programme.
In November, all secondary schools received a supply of Raising School Standards: A guide for parents and carers leaflets, with information on the school banding system. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) value your opinion and we would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to consider the following questions: 1. How satisfied were you with the content of the leaflet? 2. Did the leaflet assist you with communicating school banding information to parents? 3. Did you receive a high level of interest from parents, did they value the leaflet? 4. How satisfied were you with the way DfES communicated school banding with you? 5. Any other comments? Please e-mail your feedback to Louise Massaro
The Welsh Government is organising a series of 'Raising School Standards' conferences across Wales. The purpose of these events will be to provide practitioners with an update on progress since 2 February 2011 when the Minister laid out his plans to Raise School Standards. The Minister for Education and Skills will be the key speaker at the first event on 8 March, All Nations Centre, Cardiff. Other dates and venues: 13 March - Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli; 15 March - Venue Cymru, Llandudno and 20 March – University of Glamorgan. Please e-mail us to register your interest in attending one of the conferences.
Every secondary school in Wales should have a member of senior teaching staff engaged in developing the use of PISA and PISA style questions to support teaching and learning in their school. 46 Schools are enrolled on the Developing Thinking Assessment for Learning PISA development programme. These schools attended their first programme session in September 2011; the second development session in the programme will take place next month. All other schools are invited to send a representative to one of the regional workshops.
The Equality Act 2010 is a key piece of legislation that has been introduced by the UK Government. It replaces the previous 116 different equality statutes in one all encompassing statute. The purpose of these documents are to provide schools with an information and reference tool, which they can use when developing Strategic Equality Plans, a requirement under the Equality Act 2010’s Public Sector Equality Duties.
In a report published today, The impact of adult community learning on the wellbeing of older learners, Estyn concludes that learners over the age of 65 do not have enough access to education or skills development opportunities that would help to improve their quality of life.
This conference will inform the Review of Qualifications. Organised by Colegau Cymru in partnership with the Welsh Government, it aims to bring together education and training leaders from all sectors to debate the future of 14-19 qualifications in Wales. Secondary Schools are invited to attend.
The Remit sets out the advice being commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in 2012-2013.
Two Swansea schools which are leading the way in their pioneering use of digital technology in the classroom have been praised by Education Minister Leighton Andrews.
Understanding which skills employers want and gaining an insight into the investment they make in skills and workplace development is not only critical to our economic health, but important on a day-to-day basis for individuals and businesses alike… The Welsh Government is seeking to expand and broaden the use of LMI across Wales. This is one of a regular series of articles which will be appearing in the DYSG newsletter.
The Pupil Voice Wales web-site aims to support professionals and pupils in developing effective pupil voice. The Welsh Government wants to know what you think of the site, and how it can be improved. Please take a few moments to complete this questionnaire by 29 February 2012. Your opinions will help to make the site even better!
NIACE Dysgu Cymru is pleased to launch the 2012 Inspire! Awards. Nominations are expected for outstanding tutors and learners from further education, higher education, the workplace or the community. The deadline for nominations is Friday 10th February 2012.
Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), Year to 30 June 2011
For the 2011/12 academic year the Agency is sponsoring the delivery of a free e-learning course to schools in Wales who wish to offer ‘Level II Food Safety and Hygiene (Catering)’ training to pupils. There are a limited number of spaces available for this project.
Resources including film clips, tasks and revision games that support the safe use of veterinary medication. The work is aimed at students that are studying agriculture at post 16. The units contain information and advice that should be adopted as ‘good practice’.
Employer ownership of skills: securing a sustainable partnership for the long term is the UK Commission’s long term vision for skills in England. The paper outlines why skills matter, issues in the current system, our five high level principles for reform, proposals, benefits and a call to action to employers to come forward with their own bold propositions for how they would step up and take responsibility for training.
