News

National Updates - September 2026

Developing a mobile phone policy: draft guidance for schools
The draft guidance is intended to:
– provide clearer national direction while maintaining local flexibility
– support schools to develop clear, consistent and proportionate mobile phone policies
– reduce classroom distractions and improve learners’ concentration, engagement and attainment
– promote positive behaviour and increase opportunities for facetoface interaction
– help protect children and young people from cyberbullying, harmful online content and social media pressures
– improve learner wellbeing and safety

Submit your comments by 2nd December 2026

Programme for government 2026 to 2030: New ambition for Wales
Chapter 4 relates to Raising standards in our schools, and ensuring the best conditions for learning.

Foundational literacy and numeracy plan
Actions to strengthen literacy and numeracy across Wales, helping learners develop the skills they need to succeed.

Updated September 2026 – Challenging bullying (rights, respect, equality): guidance for schools

Estyn Thematic Report – Developing respect and understanding – The quality and impact of relationships and sexuality education in schools and pupil referral units

Welsh Government’s response yma.

Changes to the law on admission arrangements
Guidance on changes to the law for additional learning needs (ALN).

Additional learning needs (ALN) system: your rights
Explains the rights of children, young people and their parents have under the Additional Learning Needs system.

Reducing workload for school practitioners: progress update
A letter from the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. It provides an update on our actions to support leaders and classroom practitioners.

Free school meals: information for local authorities and schools
Guidance for local authorities and schools on eligibility criteria for free school meals.

Updated July 2026 – School attendance codes: guidance
The codes that schools must use when recording attendance information.

Updated August 2026 – School attendance and religious festivals guidance
Dates of religious observance and festivals for 2026 and 2027. Includes guidance for headteachers on granting authorised absence.

Statutory guidance on schemes for financing local authority maintained schools
Local authorities must take this guidance into account when they revise their school financing schemes, in consultation with the schools forum.