Written question WQ88288
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 14 days
Question
Does the Welsh Government intend to introduce a bespoke teacher training program focused on the provision of additional learning needs tuition?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
In Wales the professional teaching and leadership standards, and all initial teacher education qualifications which award qualified teacher status, require student teachers to become teachers of learners with additional learning needs (ALN). This requirement has been further strengthened under the updated Criteria for accreditation of initial teacher education programmes in Wales document, published this month.
Initial teacher education (ITE) programmes are intended to ensure our beginner teachers can deliver high standards and aspirations for all their learners. Under the refreshed Criteria there are clear requirements for supporting ALN such as person-centred practise and working with other education professionals to support learners needs.
Under the refreshed Criteria for accreditation, we have introduced temporary specific flexibility for new pilot PGCE programmes. The Welsh Government is looking to explore with our ITE Partnerships potential pilots that provide the primary phase speciality alongside an ALN speciality. This could, for example, be a primary school teacher of the deaf PGCE or a PGCE for a primary school teacher with expertise in teaching neurodiverse learners. This ALN speciality would sit alongside the normal requirements to be able to teach all learners, with and without additional learning needs.