Leighton Andrews, the Minister for Education and Skills, has announced a full review of assessment arrangements for children when they first enter the Foundation Phase - the first stage of learning in Wales for children aged 3-7.
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. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate best practice. 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; 19 or 20 March (tbc) - Merthyr Tydfil and 28 March - Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Please e-mail us to register your interest in attending one of the conferences. A formal invitation and conference programme will then be forwarded to you.
As part of the Minister's action plan for school improvement the Welsh Government has introduced a national model for PLCs. The national model has been provided to guide practitioners through the process of setting up and running a PLC. Participants who use the national model can effectively identify, engage and collaborate with each other, focusing their efforts on specific improvements in their schools. Ultimately these improvements will raise standards in the three priority areas for schools in Wales: literacy, numeracy and tackling disadvantage.
‘Free breakfasts for children are providing not just a nutritious kick-start to the day, but a helping hand for working parents’ says a Welsh Government Minister.
The purpose of this non-statutory guidance is to help head teachers and governing bodies to set out their policies on charging and remission for school activities and school visits.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews, has published proposals for changes to the professional registration of the wider education workforce across Wales to raise professional standards. Currently only qualified teachers are required to register with and be regulated by the General Teaching Council for Wales.
• Jelygaid A new reading book by Sonia Edwards in the Swigod series for pupils age 9-11.
• Cyfres Arwr (A series of 8 adventure books for reluctant readers which give the reader the opportunity to choose their own narrative thread.
The Welsh Government is committed to preventing poor health and reducing health inequalities. As part of this, we plan to put forward a Bill which will introduce a statutory Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
This document summarises the responses received to a consultation on the Welsh Government’s proposals to revise the School Teacher Appraisal (Wales) Regulations 2002 (as amended) in order to strengthen performance management arrangements for teachers and headteachers. Summary of responses and further information on the consultation.
The new edition of Teaching Wales is now available. Articles include a report from the Wales Education Lecture 2011 ‘Learning through the eyes of pupils’ delivered by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler.
This governor guide focuses on the role and responsibilities of the clerk to the governing body.
