News

National Updates - Autumn term 2025

Written Statement: Review of school governing bodies – Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
The Welsh Government has just announced a review of school governing bodies in Wales. Click on the link above for further information about the review.

Estyn thematic report – A New Era: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Supporting Teaching and Learning
This thematic report explores how artificial intelligence (AI), and generative AI (GenAI) in particular, is currently being implemented and its emerging impact in schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) across Wales. The evidence base includes visits to a broad range of schools, conversations with school leaders, teaching staff, and pupils, as well as an extensive survey of staff in schools and PRUs. The report aims to help schools and policymakers understand and address the opportunities and challenges of AI and to provide real-world examples of effective engagement.

Welsh Government’s response can be found here.

Support for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in educational settings
How to help learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder using a variety of approaches.

Additional Learning Needs (ALN) legislative framework review
The Welsh Government has undertaken a review of the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) legislative framework. The review examined the clarity and consistency of the legislative framework to identify opportunities to strengthen understanding and effective delivery of the ALN system across Wales.

Updated October 2025 – School attendance and religious festivals guidance
Dates of religious observance and festivals for 2025 and 2026. Includes guidance for headteachers on granting authorised absence.

Pupil Development Grant (PDG): overview
How the Pupil Development Grant is allocated and used to help children and young people reach their full potential.

National Behaviour Summit: final report.
Summary of the outcomes from a National Summit focused on behaviour in schools and colleges.

Written Statement: Teachers’ Pay Award 2025/26 – Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
School teachers’ pay and conditions (Wales) document 2025

Supporting positive behaviour in education
A toolkit designed to support positive behaviour in schools through relationships, environment, teaching and learner-focused strategies.

We have published a revised Code of Professional Conduct and Practice. The Code is a key document for EWC registrants as it sets out the standards, behaviours, and values expected of them as education practitioners.

The changes we have made ensure that the Code is now fully relevant to all of the 13 categories we register, and that it reflects the current best practice around language and terminology. This includes introducing a new principle around leadership.

To help our registrants understand and embed the Code in to their practice, we have created a range of supporting resources including on-demand webinars, good practice guides, and animations.

You can find out more about our work by visiting the website.

The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has launched a new series of blogs aimed at parents/guardians.

Over the next six months, the regulator will look to explore how it helps protect learners, young people, and the public, while highlighting the important role it plays in maintaining trust and confidence in Wales’ education workforce.

Following the publication of its first blog, Who are the EWC, the regulator has now published its second, Why registration and regulation are essential to safeguarding learners, young people, and the public. This blog is essential reading for governors, who play a key role in keeping learners safe.