Since May 2026 the Senedd has focused on standards in schools after the PISA results, with the new Plaid Cymru Government publishing a foundational literacy and numeracy plan. Funding for additional learning needs (ALN), and whether UK consequentials should go to schools, caused the sharpest dispute. Members also debated support staff pay, the curriculum, teacher recruitment and retention, behaviour and school closures.
The main arguments
Janet Finch-Saunders (Welsh Conservatives) and Helen Jenner (Reform UK) cite PISA results as failure. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) called them disappointing. Anna Brychan's plan sets year-by-year expectations, phonics and a baseline assessment at school entry.
Lynne Neagle, Ken Skates and Huw Thomas (Welsh Labour) said English SEND consequentials should go to ALN. Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru) said consequentials and reserves allow earmarking. Sam Rowlands (Welsh Conservatives) said a single-year sum was not enough. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Stephen Senior (Reform UK) asked for more subject choice at key stage 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth said a review is due in autumn 2028. Anna Brychan announced a targeted review, not a new curriculum. Catherine Cullen (Reform UK) cited teacher workload. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Lynne Neagle and Shav Taj (Welsh Labour) called for a support staff negotiating body and year-round pay. Anna Brychan said the Welsh Government lacks power over support staff pay. Helen Jenner (Reform UK) opposed creating another quango. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Anna Brychan (Plaid Cymru) pointed to up to £20,000 for trainees in shortage subjects. Helen Jenner (Reform UK) said detail on retention was lacking. Francesca O'Brien (Reform UK) challenged a trainee grant based on ethnicity. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Sam Rowlands and Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) called for a Wales-wide phone ban in schools. Helen Jenner (Reform UK) asked for a behaviour framework. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) backed zero tolerance of violence and work across agencies. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) asked about a national school funding formula. Iain McIntosh (Reform UK) cited a funding formula review and school closures. Claire Archibald (Reform UK) sought a statement on protecting village schools. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Where the parties stand
Plaid Cymru
In government, Plaid Cymru Members say raising standards is a priority. They point to the literacy and numeracy plan, a targeted curriculum review, teacher incentives and extending free school meals to secondary pupils on universal credit. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh LabourShifted
Welsh Labour presses for ALN consequential funding to reach schools and for a support staff negotiating body. It also credits its record on free school meals and the pupil development grant. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
How this has shifted: In June Labour asked how much of the consequential would go to ALN. In July it voted against the supplementary budget over £40 million. In October it welcomed a £60 million deal as a first step.
Welsh Conservatives
The Welsh Conservatives stress standards, behaviour and violence in classrooms, a statutory phone ban, a national funding formula, and the pressures on independent schools. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5]
Reform UK
Reform UK calls the PISA results a national emergency. It presses on teacher retention, ALN funding and behaviour, opposes a new support staff quango, and raises rural school closures and curriculum workload. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Wales Green Party
Paul Rock supported a support staff negotiating body. Anthony Slaughter said rejecting the ALN allocation in the supplementary budget would play politics with school funding. Contributions: [1][2]
Welsh Liberal Democrats
Jane Dodds raised support for young carers in secondary schools and called for more funding for Powys to expand Welsh-medium education. Contributions: [1][2]
What the government is being pressed on
1How much ALN money will schools get? Labour pressed this. Elin Jones said consequentials and reserves allow earmarking while some funds stay unallocated. Labour and Plaid later agreed £60 million, and Labour and the Conservatives said more is needed. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
2Will there be a negotiating body and year-round pay for support staff? Anna Brychan said Welsh Ministers lack the power to set pay, so the options are legislation or agreement with councils and unions. She said she is open to all options. Contributions: [1][2][3]
3What are the literacy and numeracy targets? Helen Jenner asked. Anna Brychan said a baseline will be set first, then a trajectory, and she would share it. She ruled out standard tests and league tables. Contributions: [1][2]
4How will teachers be retained? Helen Jenner asked for specifics. Anna Brychan agreed retention matters as much as recruitment and pointed to incentives of up to £20,000 and better conditions. Contributions: [1][2][3]
5Will there be a behaviour framework? Helen Jenner asked about zero tolerance of violence. Rhun ap Iorwerth agreed with zero tolerance and said agencies will work together to make schools safe. Contributions: [1][2]
What the public is asking for
A petition asking for the roughly £500 million English SEND consequential to be ring-fenced for ALN had 11,451 signatures (closed). Others ask for Benedict's Law on allergies in schools (1,648) and a reformed ASD/ADHD pathway (562).
Who ministers are meeting
Ministers have met qualifications and inspection bodies (Qualifications Wales, Estyn), ALN Reform Wales, headteacher groups and advisory forums, and Swim Wales with councils and schools. Many entries are school visits and meetings with pupils.
In the Sixth Senedd (2021 to 2026)
From the previous Senedd's record, for issues that run across both. The rest of this analysis covers the Seventh Senedd only.
In the Sixth Senedd, PISA results, school budgets and ALN reform dominated debate. Conservative and Plaid Cymru Members criticised standards and funding, while Welsh Labour Ministers pointed to COVID and reforms still bedding in. Proposed changes to the school year were set aside in June 2024.
On PISA 2022, Jeremy Miles (Welsh Labour) said results were not where he wanted them and cited COVID. Tom Giffard and Peter Fox (Welsh Conservatives) said these excuses no longer held. Sioned Williams (Plaid Cymru) sought a COVID education inquiry. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
On funding, Cefin Campbell and Sioned Williams (Plaid Cymru) cited an NAHT Cymru report on a school funding crisis, with a third of schools in deficit. Jane Dodds (Welsh Liberal Democrats) described deficits in Powys schools. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On ALN reform, Buffy Williams (Welsh Labour) reported that schools lack resources to give an IDP to every child who had SEN. Lynne Neagle (Welsh Labour) said the final year of transition from SEN was beginning. Contributions: [1][2]
Lynne Neagle published the school year consultation findings in June 2024, setting aside the reforms. Tom Giffard (Welsh Conservatives) welcomed this but warned the plans might return; Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru) noted disappointment among supporters. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Written by AI on 23 October 2026 from 234 contributions in the Senedd between 12 May 2026 and 20 October 2026, with the petitions and ministers' meetings on this brief. Each point links to the contributions it draws on; check them before quoting. How the analysis is written.
Where things stand
Statistics published by the Welsh Government. Each chart covers the years since the 2016 Senedd election, or as far back as the figures go, and marks each election since.
Secondary school attendance
89.1%
2025/26
A year earlier
89.0%(2024/25)
The share of possible half-day sessions attended by pupils aged 11 to 15 in maintained schools, from the start of each school year to the spring bank holiday at the end of May.
This series has no figures for the school years 2019/20 to 2021/22.
11 commitments in the Welsh Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 fall under this brief, in the Programme's own words. Under each is how often it has been raised in the Seventh Senedd.
Raising standards
Publish a Literacy and Numeracy Plan and raise standards by establishing national targets, including a baseline assessment for learners entering school. We will support our workforce to develop individual targets for all learners.
Raised in 44 speeches, 1 agenda item and 2 written questions. Most recently on 20 October 2026, by Helen Jenner. Matched on: “literacy and numeracy”.
Review curriculum and assessment arrangements to simplify and clarify expectations for schools and settings. This will include ensuring clear expectations for knowledge and education about our nation’s culture and history.
Raised in 30 speeches and 1 petition. Most recently on 21 October 2026, by James Evans. Matched on: “Welsh history”.
Develop a coordinated framework bringing together schools, health and social care, and youth services to address behaviour, attendance, wellbeing and educational inequality. These also reflect wider societal issues, and we will work across government to address them. We will improve professional learning, reporting of incidents and information sharing between schools, and test implementation through our Community Schools Plus pilots.
Strengthen the long‑term sustainability of the Additional Learning Needs system. We will work in partnership, including with health partners, to strengthen system clarity, capacity and workforce confidence to deliver inclusive education in Welsh and English, so that children and young people receive the right support at the right time to meet their needs.
Raised in 181 speeches, 1 agenda item, 4 written questions and 3 petitions. Most recently on 20 October 2026, by Steven Rodaway. Matched on: “ALN”.
Grow the proportion of children and young people receiving Welsh‑medium education, and improve accessibility to Welsh‑medium education, setting local targets to ensure the steady growth of Welsh‑medium provision in all schools.
Raised in 63 speeches and 1 written question. Most recently on 8 October 2026, by Janet Finch-Saunders. Matched on: “Welsh-medium provision”.
Increase the number of students able to access tertiary pathways in Welsh, supporting and developing the work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and working with the Coleg and Medr to increase opportunities to study Welsh as a subject.
Raised in 4 speeches. Most recently on 28 September 2026, by Anna Brychan. Matched on: “Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol”.
Support an increase in the number of teachers able to teach through the medium of Welsh, promoting and developing the Welsh‑language skills of practitioners and developing new sabbatical opportunities.
Raised in 9 speeches. Most recently on 7 October 2026, by Anna Brychan. Matched on: “teach through the medium of Welsh”.
Improve recruitment and retention by reducing workload, providing more flexibility for planning, preparation and assessment and supporting high‑quality professional development for all teachers, leaders and teaching assistants.
Build on our increase of the Initial Teacher Education Priority Subject Incentive from £15,000 to £20,000 to help attract more teachers into shortage subjects and explore opportunities to increase this further.
Raised in 3 speeches. Most recently on 7 October 2026, by Mair Rowlands. Matched on: “initial teacher education”.
Strengthen safeguarding leadership and governance across education by ensuring learners and educators can recognise and report grooming. We will provide comprehensive digital safety and media literacy education, and ensure safeguarding and educational standards are consistently upheld and independently scrutinised.
Source: Welsh Government, Programme for government 2026 to 2030: New ambition for Wales, first published on 10 September 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mentions are found by matching the names of plans, bodies and schemes; a mention says nothing about progress.
From the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government's latest press releases and Cabinet statements on this brief.
Welsh Government and Welsh Labour reach agreement on further investment for Additional Learning Needs, enabling the Supplementary Budget for 2026-2027 to proceed.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper visited Tonyrefail Community School Thursday 24 September to launch new virtual reality (VR) road safety content aimed at young drivers.
From this month, pupils across years 4 and 5 in Welsh maintained primary schools will begin to receive a minimum of 20 hours of swimming and water safety lessons, as part of a commitment by the new Welsh Government.
In the news
The latest headlines on this brief, linking to each outlet's story.
Each bar is the share of that party's speeches and questions in the Seventh Senedd that touched this brief, so large and small parties can be compared. The upright line marks the chamber as a whole: 8.8%.
Ministers' meetings with outside organisations and their engagements on this brief, from the register the Welsh Government publishes every three months. 25 since the 2026 election; the latest:
25 September 2026
Tonyrefail Community School
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Transport
25 September 2026
CYDAG annual headteacher conference
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
24 September 2026
Headteacher Roundtable Meeting
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
23 September 2026
Nofio Cymru / Swim Wales, Freedom Leisure, Cyngor Abertawe / Swansea Council, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gellionnen & Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Clwyd / Clwyd Community Primary School
Meeting, Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
21 September 2026
Visit to Aberdare Community School to announce the Programme for Government
Meeting, First Minister of Wales
9 September 2026
Estyn
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
20 August 2026
GCSE Results Day, Llanishen High School
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
19 August 2026
Qualifications Wales
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Members whose entries in the Register of Members' Interests relate to this brief, matched by the brief's words and phrases. Members must register these interests, and having one doesn't mean anything improper.
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Hawthorn Primary School Role within organisation: Governor
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: Hawthorn Primary School Nature of the post: Teaching Assistant
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Spouse Name of organisation: Old Road School, Llanelli Role within organisation: Local Authority Governor
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Bryn Community Primary School Role within organisation: Governor
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Partner Name and nature of the employer: Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School Nature of the post: Science teacher
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: School Lane Pre-school Role within organisation: Responsible Individual, Charitable trustee Additional information: Receives Welsh Government child…
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Parc Primary School Role within organisation: Vice-Chair of Governors
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Glyncollen School Role within organisation: Governor
Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Trustee for Park Baptist Church. Included in this are Gurnos Christian Centre, and Galon Uchaf Sunday school.
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Member Name and nature of the employer: Star English Ltd. Nature of the post: Freelance English Tutor Amount of remuneration received: Band 5: between £2501 - £5000 a year Average…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: Bangor University Nature of the post: Deputy/Interim Head of School Date on which the employment commenced: 1 January 2005
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: St. Brigid’s School, Denbigh Role within organisation: Governing body member Additional information: LEA representative
39% of Welsh adults said education and schools would be very important to their vote.
Ipsos asked 747 Welsh adults aged 16+ between 2 April 2026 and 8 April 2026, before the 2026 Senedd election. People could choose as many issues as they liked. More on public opinion.
Written questions
41 written questions to the Welsh Government on this brief in the Seventh Senedd, 39 answered so far. The latest:
Wales’ educational performance in three core areas has deteriorated further in relation to the rest of the UK, as indicated by the results of an established international education programme.
A level results 2026: what next? Today, thousands of learners across Wales have received their exam results. We look at how they compare with previous years and those across the UK.
The previous Welsh Government’s flagship Welsh language policy, ‘Cymraeg 2050: a million Welsh speakers’, shifted the approach to Welsh language planning and policy in Wales, setting a target and a pathway to turn a century of Welsh language decline on its head.
Tagged for: “Welsh-medium”, “additional learning needs”Translated from WelshOfficial Record
Month by month
14
218
141
248
249
May 2026JunJulAugSeptOct
Contributions tagged in each month of the Seventh Senedd. No sittings were held in August 2026.Show the numbers
Month
Contributions
May 2026
14
June 2026
218
July 2026
141
August 2026
No sittings
September 2026
248
October 2026
249
How this brief is put together
This brief follows the Programme commitments listed above and tags the record with the phrases below. Keyword matching can miss business that discusses the issue in other words, and can tag a passing mention.
Show the phrases it uses
A contribution is tagged when its English text contains one of these phrases. Capital letters don't matter, except in abbreviations, which must match exactly. It is also tagged when the title of the agenda item or question it was part of contains one, as long as the contribution is at least 30 words long. The brief is also tagged whenever one of its themes is.
