News

National updates - October 2023

Estyn Thematic Report – The new Additional Learning Needs system
The report provides an overview of how well the maintained primary and secondary schools that participated in the review are implementing key aspects of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET) and the accompanying ALN Code. It also considers how well participating local authorities have supported schools.

Welsh Government’s response to Estyn’s report and recommendations on Progress of schools and local authorities in supporting pupils with additional learning needs.

Have a read of the sector summaries from the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2022-2023.
Useful information about governance as well as a series of reflective questions.

Emergency planning and response guidance for education and childcare settings

Parentkind – Understanding pupil absence in schools in Wales
Attendance rates in Wales have not recovered since COVID-19, and the publication of statistics on absence from Secondary Schools 2022/23 is a stark reminder of the continuing impact on children and young people. The Welsh Government commissioned Parentkind to undertake research amongst parents and carers in Wales with a child with attendance issues to understand more about the reasons for their absences, the support offered, and what help their family would find useful.

Community Focused Schools guidance: Developing community engagement in Community Focused Schools
This guidance has been developed to support schools and other key stakeholders to develop their community engagement as part of a Community Focused Schools approach.

Curriculum for Wales: continuing the journey

Consulting on:
– proposed updates to a section of Curriculum for Wales guidance intended to support schools (including pupil referral units (PRUs) and those responsible for the provision of education other than at school (EOTAS) in other settings) with the practical steps of designing, implementing and maintaining the ongoing review of their curriculum
– proposed revisions to this section to make it significantly shorter, more focussed and user-friendly for practitioners
– guidance on publishing a curriculum summary
– the intention that this updated version, Continuing the journey, will form part of statutory guidance.

Submit your comments by 13 November 2023