Written question WQ91980
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure there are enough spaces in Welsh-medium schools to avoid students being turned away?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Local authorities, in duties set out in the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 are required to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan containing a local authority’s proposals on how it will carry out its education functions to improve the planning of the provision of education through the medium of Welsh; improve the standards of Welsh-medium education and of the teaching of Welsh in its area. The Welsh in Education Strategic Plans also outline how local authorities should now be planning for an increase in Welsh-medium provision and take up in line with Cymraeg 2050 targets.
All Local Authorities have committed to ambitious targets within their Welsh in Education Strategic Plans in line with the education milestones set out in Cymraeg 2050. Plans have been operational since 2022.
Since 2018 we have invested over £128m in dedicated Welsh-medium Capital grants. This is on top of any investment through Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
With regards to the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, every local authority will be required to submit a 9-year investment plan by the end of March 2024. These investment plans will be assessed against the approved WESP to ensure they deliver the required capacity to meet the targets.
The responsibility for the planning of school places rests with local authorities. Local authorities have to keep under review the extent to which their existing pattern of school provision meets current and forecast demand for school places and the requirements of delivering the modern curriculum.
Local authorities must ensure that there are sufficient schools providing primary and secondary education for their area. Schools are regarded as sufficient if they are sufficient in number, character and equipment to provide for all pupils the opportunity of appropriate education. In order to fulfil these duties, local authorities must ensure that they plan thoroughly and engage fully with relevant partners.
The Welsh Government does not normally intervene directly in the planning of school places.