2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Thank you very much, Laura. Well, I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that investment in our mainstream public education system and schools is my priority. As you've highlighted, there are plans to levy VAT on private schools. That is a UK Government…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Independent schools make up 5.3 per cent of the total number of schools in Wales and contribute to the education of 2.1 per cent of all pupils. Estyn inspect all independent schools to evaluate the quality of education and to ensure each school maintains…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Thank you for those questions. Obviously, the panel that you've referred to was disbanded before I came into post. That doesn't mean that we don't have expert advice on the recruitment and retention of teachers. We're currently doing a piece of work…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Well, in terms of the figures that you've presented, I will certainly go back and look at those, although I find it very hard to believe that the figures are presented in that way in terms of years of experience, because my experience of Welsh Government data…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Well, I don't believe that we would have that data, Cefin.
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
How many combined years of experience have left—
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Well, Tom, I think if you knew me better, you would know that I am the very last person you could describe as being missing in action. I’m also the last person you would expect to put ideology over the needs of children and young people. I have been really…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Well, first of all, can I say that I didn't say that schools and teachers were the problem—those are your words, not mine? I have said that we have a clear expectation that all schools will use synthetic phonics to teach reading. I've also said that we are…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Thank you very much, Tom. I think I’ve been very, very clear with everybody in this Chamber that raising standards is a priority, that improving literacy is a key part of that and that we are not in any way complacent as a Government about the work that we…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Thank you very much, James. And you're absolutely right, high-quality professional learning is absolutely crucial, and we want our teachers and our support staff to be able to have access to that. And it is a challenge, and I've said numerous times in this…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Can I thank Cefin Campbell for that question? And, obviously, I fully recall the written answer that I gave you. Professional learning is a priority for us; it is the absolute baseline for ensuring that we can raise standards in schools. The national…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Ensuring all practitioners can access career-long professional learning is integral to our vision for education in Wales. The national professional learning entitlement, which launched in 2022, is already playing a key role in providing our practitioners with…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for that question, and also welcome her commitment to the young people who are receiving education in education otherwise than at school settings? I know that it's something she's had a long-standing interest in. As she knows…
2 October 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Conwy County Borough Council has one pupil referral unit, Canolfan Addysg Conwy, which provides education to children between the ages of five to 16. The pupil referral unit is set over three sites based in Penmaenrhos, Penrhos and Llandudno.
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Thank you, Sioned, and, obviously, I've seen the Bevan Foundation research this week and, as I said, we are keeping this whole area of eligibility under review, based on the very severe financial pressures that we're facing as well. In terms of the families…
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Thanks, Carolyn, and thank you for those observations. As you say, it can be that some children are naturally fussy eaters, and we want them to try different vegetables. I was very disappointed, when I was in Ysgol Cynwyd Sant, that none of the children were…
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Thank you very much, Cefin, for your comments. Like you, I recognise the value of this initiative in terms of tackling poverty and helping with the cost-of-living crisis. I was very clear in my statement in acknowledging the role that our partnership with…
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Thank you very much, Tom, for that constructive response and series of questions, and you are absolutely right to highlight the importance of this, not just to children's attainment and learning, but for their health. Indeed, it's one less thing for parents…
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Children and parents are being encouraged to try new foods as part of redesigned menus and greater promotion of the importance of healthy eating. These are longer term impacts on our future generations, which are key to reducing inequalities and maximising…
17 September 2024 , Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Universal primary free school meals
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Wales can be proud of its record within the UK as a nation of firsts. We were the first to introduce free prescriptions, the first to enshrine the rights of children in our domestic law, the first to legislate to protect and secure…
6 August 2024 , Plenary
Nomination of the First Minister under Standing Order 8
Eluned Morgan.
16 July 2024 , Plenary
& 6. The Digital Government (Welsh Bodies) Regulations 2024 and The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024
Thank you, Llywydd, and it was very remiss of me not to thank LJC for their scrutiny of these regulations, and I'm very happy to provide the assurances that the Chair has asked for today. I ask Members to support these regulations.
16 July 2024 , Plenary
& 6. The Digital Government (Welsh Bodies) Regulations 2024 and The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motions. The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 provides for the establishment of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research and the simultaneous dissolution of the Higher Education Funding Council for…
10 July 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Thank you very much, Joyce. I wholeheartedly agree with your comments and would like to take this opportunity to place on record my heartfelt thanks to all the staff, teachers, pupils, and organisations like Keep Wales Tidy, that represent Wales's commitment…
10 July 2024 , Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
The Eco-Schools programme runs in 75 countries with almost 50,000 schools engaged, making it the largest environmental education programme in the world. In Wales, approximately 90 per cent of schools have engaged with the Eco-Schools programme, with 60 per…
