Welsh in Education: Action Plan 2017–21

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Welsh in education

Action plan 2017–21 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Audience The school workforce, and those in other settings delivering the Foundation Phase; parents and carers; government and national partners, including regional consortia, local authorities, governing bodies, workforce unions and diocesan authorities; organisations working to promote the use of Welsh; organisations working with families, children and young people; and other interested parties.

Overview The purpose of this action plan is to set out our direction for the development of Welsh-medium and Welsh language education over the next four years, in line with the vision of Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers and Education in Wales: Our national mission, Action plan 2017–21. This document gathers together actions that are initiated by other Welsh Government publications or those of our delivery partners.

Action required Interested parties to note the content of this action plan for 2017–21, and act accordingly.

Further information Enquiries about this document should be directed to: The Education Directorate Welsh Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ e-mail: [email protected]

Additional copies This document can be accessed from the Welsh Government’s website at gov.wales

Related documents Prosperity for All: the national strategy (2017); Education in Wales: Our national mission, Action plan 2017–21 (2017); Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers (2017); Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers, Work programme 2017–21 (2017); Taking Wales Forward 2016–2021 (2016); A curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life (2015); Qualified for life: An education improvement plan for 3 to 19-year-olds in Wales (2014); Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales (2015); One language for all: Review of Welsh second language at Key Stages 3 and 4 (2013); Welsh-medium Education Strategy (2010); Evaluation of the Welsh-medium Education Strategy (2016); Welsh-medium Education Strategy: next steps (2016)

Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh.

Ministerial foreword 2

Introduction 4

Background 6 Strategic context 6 Welsh in the education system in 2017 7

Vision 14 Guiding principles 14

Roles 18 Objectives and key actions 20 Curriculum, assessment and pedagogy 20 Enrichment and experiences in Welsh 22 Workforce planning, professional learning and leadership 24 Planning Welsh-medium education 28 Excellence, equity and well-being 30

Welsh in education timeline 34

Communication and engagement 36

Evaluation and accountability framework for improvement 38

Targets and indicators 40

Next steps 45 Ministerial foreword 2 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Ministerial foreword

Our national mission of We know that the development education reform seeks to of Welsh-medium education raise“ standards, reduce the over the last half a century has attainment gap and deliver an been extraordinary, particularly in education system that enjoys attracting parents/carers and learners public confidence and is a source from both Welsh-speaking and of national pride. non-Welsh-speaking backgrounds. However, we also know that the The Welsh language is integral teaching and learning of Welsh in to those reforms, as it is to the English-medium settings is inconsistent Government-wide objectives of and too often leads to low attainment. building resilient communities, culture and language, and Tackling this challenge, while also promoting and protecting Wales’ building on success, requires a national place in the world. vision and action plan, in line with Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh As Ministers in the Welsh Government speakers (2017) and Education in with responsibility for Welsh-medium Wales: Our national mission, Action and Welsh language education, plan 2017–21 (2017). we recognise our role in building and further ensuring support for this It is an exciting period for education continued development and growth. in Wales, and we have the opportunity to ensure that the Welsh language is Quite simply, all our young people, central to our ambitious and essential from all backgrounds, should come reforms. out of the education system ready and proud to use the language in From the preparation of the new all contexts. It is a matter of equity, curriculum to the professional and we as Ministers and as Welsh development of the education Government must set the direction workforce and the reform of how we and provide leadership. support our learners with additional learning needs, ensuring that the Our own different family and personal Welsh language is considered at the backgrounds strengthen our shared heart of these will be a key priority. understanding that everyone has a part to play as we move forward to deliver this action plan with confidence. 3 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

We are not starting from nothing, This action plan for Welsh in education indeed we have much of which we can sets the vision and direction so that we be proud. But we will need to raise our ensure all leaners develop their Welsh expectations, fully commit to marrying language skills and use the language equity with excellence and work across with confidence, through our national our education system to deliver on our mission of education reform. shared ambitions.

Kirsty Williams AM Cabinet Secretary for Education

Eluned Morgan AM Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning 4 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Introduction

The purpose of Welsh in education: Successive governments have Action plan 2017–21 is to set out recognised the importance of our direction for the development the Welsh language and the role of compulsory Welsh-medium and that the education system plays Welsh language education over the in creating and nurturing Welsh next four years, in line with the vision speakers. We published our first of Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh Welsh-medium Education Strategy 3 speakers 1 (2017) and Education in for the development of Welsh-medium Wales: Our national mission, Action education in 2010, which set out the plan 2017–21 2 (2017). We recognise vision for an education and training the important part that the early system to enable people of all ages years sector plays in the development to be able to develop their Welsh of children’s Welsh language skills. language skills. We also acknowledge the need to ensure linguistic progression into further and higher education. However, the detail of this action plan is focussed on compulsory provision.

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In 2016, we published an interim and individuals in planning to support policy statement, Welsh-medium Welsh-medium education. However, Education Strategy: next steps 4 the evidence also suggested that the (2016), outlining the priorities for the Welsh-medium Education Strategy’s development of Welsh-medium and vision was not rooted in a consistent Welsh language education during way across all implementation 2016–17, while a long-term policy for partners and across different tiers the language was developed. of the education system, from the Welsh Government to local authorities This is not the beginning of the and providers. journey; solid foundations have already been laid. However, as the We want to ensure that there is education system embarks on widespread support for our vision wide-ranging reforms, it provides for the continued development and the best opportunity to ensure that growth of Welsh-medium and Welsh the Welsh language is at the heart language education. We sought of developments. the advice and opinions of our key partners and stakeholders in The Evaluation of the Welsh-medium developing this action plan; we hope Education Strategy 5, published now that each will play their part in in 2016, showed that there was its delivery. support for the vision and goals of the strategy among officials (national There are challenges ahead but over and local) who were responsible for the next four years our main aim is to its delivery, and among stakeholders ensure that the required leadership, and practitioners. The fact that a capacity and infrastructure to deliver national vision for Welsh-medium the changes are embedded in order and Welsh language education had to move forward with this important been formalised and published has work for our future generations. been helpful for some organisations

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Background

Strategic context commitments, which will require strategic planning with our key delivery The Well-being of Future Generations partners. (Wales) Act 2015 aims to ensure Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh that public bodies think about speakers was published in July 2017, long-term strategy and planning. and sets out the long-term vision for One of the seven goals is a Wales of the Welsh language. Increasing the vibrant culture and thriving Welsh number of Welsh speakers is one language, and one of the indicators of the three key themes, and the is the percentage of people who can following key transformational speak Welsh. changes will be required within the As one of the key public bodies in education sector in order to achieve Wales, we as Welsh Government the vision. are required to plan for the long • Increase the proportion of each term. Taking Wales Forward school year group receiving 2016–21 6 (2016), our programme for Welsh-medium education from government, notes that we will ‘work 22 per cent (based on 7,700 towards one million people speaking seven-year-old learners in 2015/16) the Welsh language by 2050’. It also to 30 per cent (about 10,500 in commits us to ‘reshape Welsh teaching each year group) by 2031, and then in our schools to enable young people 40 per cent (about 14,000 in each to utilise their Welsh language skills year group) by 2050. in wider society’. Prosperity for All: the national strategy 7, published • Transform how we teach Welsh to in September 2017, places the key all learners in order that by 2050 at commitments of the programme for least 70 per cent of those learners government in a longer term context report that they can speak Welsh and how they fit with the work of the by the time they leave school. wider Welsh public service. Ensuring • Increase the number of primary that all learners will be able to use teachers who can teach in Welsh the Welsh language when they leave from 2,900 to 3,900 by 2031 school, and that we have a sufficient and 5,200 by 2050; increase the supply of teachers to work through the number of secondary teachers medium of Welsh are long-term who can teach Welsh from 500 to 900 by 2031 and 1,200 by 2050; and increase the number of

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secondary teachers who can teach One of the main aims of the through the medium of Welsh from Welsh-medium Education Strategy 1,800 to 3,200 by 2031 and 4,200 was to improve the planning of by 2050. Welsh-medium education. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Education in Wales: Our national Act 2013 introduced a requirement mission, Action plan 2017–21, for local authorities to prepare Welsh which was published in September in Education Strategic Plans (WESPs) 2017, sets out the actions to be taken setting out how they will improve to implement wide-ranging reforms the planning of education through to the education system in Wales. the medium of Welsh including for The aim is to ensure that all learners learners with additional learning benefit from a world-class curriculum needs (ALN). Since the first WESPs and that they enjoy learning and were developed in 2014, there have teaching that inspires them to succeed been several independent reviews of in an effectively led, collaborative them and the associated processes. and innovative education community. The evaluation of the Welsh-medium Developing Welsh-medium provision Education Strategy that took place in and improving the teaching and 2016 found that placing the WESPs learning of Welsh for all learners are on a statutory basis had provided local at the heart of these reforms. authorities with a more consistent and structured framework for Welsh in the education planning Welsh-medium provision. system in 2017 However, the evaluation also indicated that planning processes were not The Cymraeg 2050 Strategy always timely and effective, and acknowledges that the education that they were dependent on the sector has a key contribution to make approach adopted by key individuals. in order to achieve our vision of a The evidence also provides a mixed million Welsh speakers. As previously picture in relation to changes to stated, we are not starting from Welsh-medium provision for learners nothing; we are building on a solid with ALN. While there are some foundation of Welsh-medium and examples where specialised support Welsh language teaching and learning has been developed, with some local that developed during the second half authorities planning ahead in order of the twentieth century. to offer specialist Welsh-medium provision, in other areas there were Since the publication of the examples of a lack of capacity to Welsh-medium Education Strategy in support learners with ALN. 2010, we have moved forward with a number of developments to increase Welsh-medium education, and improve the Welsh language skills of our learners. 8 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

The most recent review of the WESPs Today, there are 420 primary schools was undertaken by Aled Roberts. delivering Welsh-medium education to Rapid review of the Welsh in Education almost 67,000 learners across Wales, Strategic Plans – 2017–20 8 was and 49 secondary schools delivering published in August 2017. The rapid Welsh-medium education to almost review found that although the 35,000 learners. The challenging target majority of stakeholders recognise set in the Cymraeg 2050 Strategy will that the education system plays a key require us to work closely with early role in creating the Welsh speakers of years providers and local authorities the future, the draft 2017–20 WESPs to improve long-term planning for submitted to the Welsh Government Welsh-medium school places and in December 2016 lacked the ambition ensure that there are opportunities needed to achieve the vision set out for learners to access Welsh-medium in the Cymraeg 2050 Strategy. As well education at various points and as providing a review of each local continue to learn through the medium authority’s WESP, Aled Roberts also of Welsh post-16. made 18 recommendations which Another focus of the Welsh-medium included: Education Strategy was to support • establishing a board to discuss and learners from all linguistic backgrounds evaluate the necessary changes to develop their Welsh language skills. needed in terms of the legislation Welsh-medium schools generally and regulations deliver the majority of the curriculum • reviewing the timeframe of the through the medium of Welsh, and WESPs to coincide with Welsh learners are immersed in the language Government’s capital schemes from an early age. Bilingual schools can refer to a wide range of teaching • strengthening the strategic and learning settings which include relationship between local varying amounts of Welsh language authorities and Mudiad Meithrin in the delivery. English-medium to ensure growth at local schools generally only deliver Welsh authority level as a subject with the remainder of • urgent planning and action to curricular time delivered through increase the number of teachers the medium of English. As a result, trained to teach through the learners’ acquisition of Welsh will vary medium of Welsh. depending on the nature of provision.

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The evaluation of the Welsh-medium Review of Curriculum and Assessment Education Strategy in 2016 noted Arrangements in Wales 10, published that the percentage of learners in February 2015, concluded that achieving the expected level in Welsh Welsh should remain compulsory up at Key Stages 2 and 3 had increased to the age of 16 and that there should since 2010. The national emphasis be a ‘renewed focus in schools on on the National Literacy Framework learning Welsh primarily as a means and Numeracy (LNF) and the focus on of communication’. We subsequently raising standards more generally were accepted the recommendations of the felt by respondents to have driven review and agreed that a continuum attainment and standards in Welsh. of learning Welsh would be developed as part of the new curriculum and However, as the evaluation of the assessment arrangements for Wales. Welsh-medium Education Strategy This continuum will provide the basis indicated, the evidence regarding for teaching and learning Welsh and standards in Welsh second language other languages in the future. paints a mixed picture. Estyn annual reports have been critical of standards Developing the Welsh language skills in Welsh second language at Key of our practitioners and capacity to Stage 2 for a number of years, teach through the medium of Welsh although standards at Key Stage 3 is essential to enable the continued have shown some improvement in growth of the Welsh-medium sector, recent years. An independent review and to improve the teaching and of Welsh second language in 2013, learning of Welsh as a subject. One language for all: Review of Welsh In recent years, the focus has been second language at Key Stages 3 and on ensuring that the workforce has 4, Report and recommendations 9, high-level Welsh language skills to concluded that ‘it is the eleventh hour be able to deliver Welsh as a subject for Welsh second language’. One of within the curriculum. Training has the recommendations of the review mainly been delivered via the regional was that Welsh Government should consortia through the Education revise the curriculum to include ‘one Improvement Grant (EIG), and through continuum of learning for Welsh with the Welsh language Sabbatical Scheme clear expectations for pupils learning for practitioners. Welsh in English-medium, bilingual Published in 2014, Evaluation of the and Welsh-medium settings’. Welsh-medium Education Strategy: In 2014 we commissioned a Review of the Welsh-language fundamental review of curriculum and Sabbatical Scheme for educational assessment arrangements in Wales. practitioners: participant experiences Successful Futures: Independent 2011-2012 11 found a positive view

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of the Sabbatical Scheme among In 2015, Professor John Furlong participants and stakeholders. presented his options for the future of Participants reported that their initial teacher education (ITE) in Wales confidence in using their Welsh in Teaching tomorrow’s teachers: language skills had increased, and all Options for the future of initial teacher those who contributed to the review training in Wales 12. The changes to ITE had positive views about the quality provide an opportunity to review the and nature of the courses provided. current programmes and incentives The review also identified the need to which support the development of plan and deliver the programme in a Welsh language and Welsh-medium more strategic and targeted manner, teachers to ensure that we can build and to address the post-course support capacity in the teaching workforce for provided for participants. However, the future. the main message from all those who The new Professional Standards for contributed to the review (participants, Teaching and Leadership13, published local authorities and senior managers) in September 2017, acknowledge that was that the Sabbatical Scheme is all practitioners need to continually a valuable scheme and that there is develop their Welsh language skills and a continuing need for such courses. that all education leaders consistently It appears that this stems from a emphasise the promotion of Welsh perception among senior managers, culture and language within the ethos participants and local authority officers of the school and as they develop the that a lack of Welsh language skills school as a learning organisation. continues to be an issue requiring attention. The planning of Welsh-medium education, the teaching and learning The supply of teachers for the of Welsh and through the medium of Welsh-medium sector continues to be Welsh, and the development of the a cause for concern. The evaluation of workforce made up the key strands of the Welsh-medium Education Strategy the Welsh-medium Education Strategy. found that there was no evidence to However, the strategy also recognised show that the strategy had made a that the development of Welsh in our significant contribution to the critical education system would also need to mass of the Welsh-medium education be supported by the development of workforce. However, representatives Welsh language teaching and learning of national education and teacher resources, and all our learners need organisations that contributed to to recognise that the Welsh language the evaluation acknowledged the extends beyond the classroom into the importance of the financial incentives community and the workplace. to support future teachers to teach through the medium of Welsh.

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The Evaluation of the Welsh-medium However, as noted in the evaluation of Education Strategy: Review of the Welsh-medium Education Strategy, the Use and Quality of Resources it is clear that the education system Commissioned by the Welsh has a key influence on young people’s Government’s Welsh in Education potential to use the Welsh language Unit 14 (2014) found that although our in their everyday lives. Over the past resources commissioning programme two years working with regional makes a valuable contribution, consortia, we have built on the Welsh the limited range of resources in a Language Charter, developed by number of areas remains problematic Gwynedd Council, and the Supporting for headteachers and practitioners, Language Practices project to provide and practitioners in the Welsh-medium a whole-school approach to expanding sector still face an additional workload children and young people’s use of in preparing Welsh-medium resources the language. With children and to fill gaps. young people at the heart of process, schools develop their individual plans Education and training alone cannot in partnership with the wider school guarantee that speakers become community. This programme will fluent in Welsh, or choose to use the provide a foundation for how we language in their everyday lives. move forward to promote and support children and young people’s use of the language.

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It is important to celebrate the • supporting student teachers to positive steps that have been taken raise their confidence and language over the past seven years to support skills to teach through the medium the development of Welsh language of Welsh and working with the and Welsh-medium education. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to To summarise, some of the key introduce the Welsh Language Skills developments since 2010 include: Certificate • placing local authority WESPs on • undertaking research to gain a more a statutory basis in-depth understanding of how • expanding the Welsh-language immersion education is delivered Sabbatical Scheme for practitioners • expanding our support to promote to include school support staff and and increase children and young courses on various levels people’s use of Welsh within • commissioning approximately the school and in social contexts 435 projects to develop through the Welsh Language quality-assured teaching and Charter, developed by Gwynedd learning resources for 38 subject Council, and projects to support areas secondary schools, in partnership with the regional consortia and • providing funding to local the Urdd. authorities and regional consortia to raise standards in the teaching We have learnt lessons along the and learning of Welsh and through way, and we will continue to ensure the medium of Welsh that our developments are based on evidence and lead to changes at all levels of the system as we move forward. 14 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Vision

Our vision is to enable all learners to in Wales in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 in develop their Welsh language skills 1990. From September 1999 onwards and to use the language confidently Welsh became compulsory for all in everyday life. learners across Wales at Key Stage 4. This will not change and, in future, In order to achieve this vision, we must increasing value will be placed on ensure that all learners benefit from Welsh as a subject and as a medium a world-class curriculum and that for teaching and learning. A new they enjoy learning and teaching curriculum encompassing a framework that inspires them to succeed in a for developing language skills along a strategically planned, effectively led, continuum, greater teacher capacity collaborative and innovative education and research into effective pedagogies community. will inform teaching and learning. Communication with parents and Guiding principles carers about the benefits of learning the language and how they can In order to achieve the vision, support their children will be essential. we will require several phases of implementation to build sustainable 2. Through the new curriculum provision for our future generations. all children and young people The following principles are intended in Wales will be ambitious to foster a common understanding and capable learners who can of the role of teaching and learning communicate effectively in Welsh, and through the medium of different forms and settings, Welsh, in all schools in Wales and and through digital platforms, provide a foundation for future policy using both Welsh and English. developments. In support of one of the four core 1. Teaching and learning Welsh purposes of the curriculum in Wales, is recognised and valued as the aim is to ensure that all learners an integral component of have appropriate pathways for Wales’ education system from learning Welsh to enable them to the early years through to become confident enough to use the post-compulsory provision. language in everyday life. They will be given opportunities to use Welsh in Welsh was included in the national the curriculum, beyond the classroom curriculum following the Education and on digital platforms so that Reform Act 1988, and became a they appreciate its usefulness to compulsory subject for all learners communication in a bilingual Wales. 15 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

3. Learning through the medium 5. Research into language of Welsh can enhance Welsh acquisition, bilingualism and language learning and enable effective Welsh language children and young people to teaching informs teaching develop their confidence to use and learning. the language in a wide range In future, curriculum planning and of contexts. pedagogy will be more informed Welsh-medium education provides by research and evidence about opportunities for learners to develop effective language teaching and their proficiency in Welsh, as well as in learning, including approaches to English. Facilitating the use of Welsh – language immersion, and the role of both across the curriculum and in bilingualism in supporting multiliteracy extracurricular activities – with planned and learners’ linguistic and cognitive linguistic progression through every development. phase of education from the early 6. In developing their skills in years, will offer opportunities for all Welsh and English, children children and young people to become and young people can acquire more fully bilingual. a foundation for learning 4. All practitioners and leaders are additional languages, ready engaged in developing their to be citizens of Wales and Welsh language skills and also the world. their wider understanding of the Enabling children and young people to Welsh language in its historical develop their proficiency in Welsh and and cultural context. English can provide a basis for learning It is essential that all practitioners and additional languages and for learning leaders have the required skills and about other cultures. Including all knowledge to develop our children languages under one Area of Learning and young people’s appreciation of and Experience (AoLE) within the new the Welsh language, its literature curriculum provides an opportunity to and history, and also its relevance to make connections between languages their everyday life in contemporary and enable learners to draw on all their Wales and in future employment. linguistic resources to their maximum Practitioners and leaders will have potential. more opportunities to improve their own knowledge and understanding, and to share this with their learners. 16 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 17 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 18 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Roles

As outlined in Education in Wales: • Ensure that the development of Our national mission, Action plan Welsh in our education system is 2017–21, to deliver our reforms included as a central part of the across the entire system we will need new assessment and evaluation a bold commitment to collaboration. framework for system-wide This will include Welsh Government, development and improvement. the teaching profession and the wider • Provide sufficient resources. education workforce. Successful implementation will require effective Regional consortia, local and honest engagement between all authorities, Estyn, Qualifications facets of the education system. We are Wales, Education Workforce committed to providing the conditions Council, awarding organisations and higher education to enable this to happen. Welsh Government • Use their knowledge of schools and research to facilitate and support • Develop a national policy for Welsh the sharing of best practice and in education. resources, and to collaborate to • Engage with all stakeholders improve the Welsh language skills to support workforce planning, of learners, within a self-improving capacity building and delivery. school system. • Ensure legislative basis for the • Long-term strategic planning teaching and learning of Welsh of school places to increase and planning of Welsh-medium the number of learners in school places. Welsh-medium or bilingual education, including increasing • Work with stakeholders to increase the proportion of Welsh-medium research capacity and undertake a teaching and learning in schools. programme of research to provide a basis for the development of • Undertake regional workforce the language continuum and planning to develop the language best practice in terms of effective skills of practitioners and their pedagogy. ability to teach Welsh or through the medium of Welsh and promote • Undertake communications activity career opportunities in this sector. to improve awareness of the value of the Welsh language as a lifelong • Provide opportunities for trainee skill, and the support available to teachers to develop their Welsh schools and practitioners. language skills as part of initial teacher education (ITE). 19 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

• Undertake a national and regional Schools, practitioners, governors programme of professional learning and parents/carers to develop the Welsh language skills • Ensure that the Welsh language is at of practitioners and their expertise the heart of the school’s ethos and in teaching Welsh and through the strategic development in the school medium of Welsh. development plan. • Ensure sufficient capacity for • Deliver a new Welsh language the supply of leaders for the curriculum which will enable all Welsh-medium sector. learners to become confident Welsh • Ensure that all leaders are equipped speakers. with skills to strategically plan the • Continually strive to improve development of Welsh. teaching and learning of Welsh • Work collaboratively to increase and subjects through the medium research capacity and undertake a of Welsh, on the basis of evidence programme of research to support about effective pedagogy and the teaching and learning of Welsh action research. and subjects through the medium • Develop means of increasing of Welsh and bilingually. Welsh-medium teaching and • Share good practice in terms of learning in schools. effective pedagogy for teaching and • All practitioners continually strive to learning Welsh and through the develop their own Welsh language medium of Welsh. skills in accordance with the • Develop new qualifications for Professional Standards for Teaching assessing the Welsh language skills and Leadership. of learners along a continuum. • Ensure that all learners and parents/carers understand the value of the Welsh language as a means of enhancing a sense of Welsh identity and as a skill, and that learners have opportunities to use the language informally beyond the classroom setting. 20 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Objectives and key actions

Curriculum, assessment • develop their understanding of bilingualism and of the Welsh and pedagogy language in its historical and Developing a new curriculum that will cultural context. inspire learners to learn and use the So far, we have: Welsh language is crucial to realising • established the Languages, Literacy our vision for children and young and Communication Area of people in Wales. We also need to Learning and Experience group in ensure that they can measure their partnership with regional consortia, progress along the way to keep them which comprises pioneer schools motivated, and that the teaching and key stakeholders to develop the and learning is based on teachers’ new curriculum understanding of the most effective language acquisition pedagogy. • commissioned research to enhance our understanding of approaches We will work with key partners to and methods in language learning, ensure that all learners will: and research to understand how • benefit from inspiring teaching and immersion provision is currently learning to become confident Welsh being delivered across Wales, and speakers able to use the language how this provision can be planned in everyday life and see the value of for the future learning Welsh • worked with Qualifications Wales • have access to an appropriate to develop our thinking around local curriculum within a clear future qualifications for the national framework of expectation Welsh language and support • held a summit with key stakeholders • be able to measure their progress to consider how to ensure that in developing their Welsh language teaching and learning resources skills along a continuum will be available in both English and • gain appropriate qualifications and Welsh at the same time to support recognition for their learning the new curriculum. • benefit from a range of teaching and learning resources which will facilitate their learning in Welsh and English 21 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

To action our plan, we will do the following.

• Develop the Languages, Literacy and Available for feedback Communications Area of Learning by April 2019 and Experience (AoLE) to include one Final curriculum available continuum of teaching and learning for by January 2020 languages, including Welsh.

• Develop clear progression pathways Available by April 2019 along the languages continuum from the early years through to statutory and post-compulsory education and training to facilitate progression.

• Improve our understanding of methods to Research completed by 2020 assess language learning and of language New qualifications to be qualifications, in order to inform the developed from 2020 development of a suite of Welsh language qualifications.

• Ensure that teaching and learning To be developed as curriculum resources to support the curriculum are becomes available from available in Welsh and English at the April 2019 same time.

• Work with Qualifications Wales, awarding Continuous 2017–21 organisations and publishers to ensure that Welsh-medium resources are available to support the introduction and delivery of new qualifications.

• Ensure a sound research base around Continuous 2017–21 effective pedagogy for the teaching Initial focus on research to and learning of Welsh and through the inform language teaching medium of Welsh. approaches and methods (2017–18) and language immersion (2017–19)

• Ensure that all Areas of Learning Final curriculum available from and Experience (AoLEs) include the January 2020 Welsh dimension to provide learners with the opportunity to develop their understanding of Wales and the Welsh language and its relevance to their everyday life in contemporary Wales. 22 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Enrichment and • work with the Arts Council of Wales on creative learning projects, experiences in Welsh including the Lead Creative Schools We acknowledge that education Scheme, providing opportunities alone cannot create confident Welsh to develop innovative and bespoke speakers. Children and young people provision that links to the Welsh need opportunities to use the Welsh language language in a number of contexts • deliver a programme of training to to enrich their learning and their practitioners to equip them with the awareness of Welsh as an everyday skills to discuss language use and language. In Successful Futures, nurture positive attitudes towards Professor Donaldson emphasises the language. the importance of educational experiences as an integral part of the So far, we have: curriculum, to broaden children and • introduced the Welsh Language young people’s horizons, stimulate Charter in all Welsh-medium their imaginations and promote primary schools in Wales as a means enjoyment in learning. The Cymraeg of strategically planning to develop 2050 Strategy also emphasises the children and young people’s use of importance of embedding language the language use practices from an early age as a • supported the adaptation of relevant part of everyday life. the Welsh Language Charter for In order to increase opportunities for English-medium primary schools children and young people to use their (Cymraeg Campus) Welsh in various contexts and embed • published a toolkit for their language use patterns from an Welsh-medium secondary schools early age, we will: to use to embed young people’s • address the recommendation in language use practices Successful Futures to establish • supported English-medium systematic links between schools secondary schools to provide and outside agencies that can informal opportunities to use the support teaching, learning and the language and intensive Welsh provision of resources in Welsh language learning opportunities • continue to work with regional through the Urdd consortia and schools to develop a • worked with the Arts Council whole-school approach to planning of Wales to support a range of and delivering opportunities for projects focused on using creative children and young people to use approaches in the Welsh language their Welsh in various contexts and and how this can impact on to enhance their sense of Welsh developing learners’ interest and identity achievement in reading. 23 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

To action our plan, we will do the following.

• Build on the Welsh Language Charter and Draft framework available the Language Use Toolkit to develop a by April 2018 national framework for all school settings Framework to be introduced in to provide a whole-school basis for schools from September 2018 planning and delivering opportunities to increase learners’ wider use of Welsh and to embed language use practices.

• Engage stakeholders to work with schools To be planned and delivered to provide opportunities for learners to as part of roll-out of national enrich their experience of learning Welsh framework outside school settings.

• Develop a programme of training for From April 2018 practitioners to enable them to discuss language use and nurture positive attitudes towards the language with learners of all ages.

• Commission research to understand From April 2018 children and young people’s attitudes towards the Welsh language as a basis for the continued development of the Welsh Language Charter. 24 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Workforce planning, • ensure that the Welsh language is an integral part of wider professional learning government plans to develop the and leadership future education workforce through initial teacher education (ITE) and Our new curriculum cannot be training for support staff delivered without a well-supported, aspirational education workforce. • develop sufficient supply of leaders We will support leaders and for the Welsh-medium sector practitioners in Wales to be lifelong • ensure that all education leaders professional learners that continue consistently emphasise the to develop their Welsh language promotion of Welsh culture and skills and have the knowledge and language within the ethos of the expertise to deliver the curriculum school and as they develop the through the medium of Welsh and school as a learning organisation Welsh as a subject. We will also equip • ensure that workforce development the workforce to develop our children and professional learning is available and young people’s appreciation of in Welsh and informed by evidence. the Welsh language, its literature and history, and also its relevance to their So far, we have: everyday life in contemporary Wales. • collected information about We will work with key partners to: the Welsh language skills of practitioners through the Education • ensure that we have a clear Workforce Council (EWC) survey understanding of the workforce’s and PLASC (Pupil Level Annual Welsh language skills and, where School Census) to inform our relevant, their ability to teach Welsh workforce planning and through the medium of Welsh to inform workforce planning, • introduced new Professional based on robust data Standards for Teaching and Leadership which set out the • enable all practitioners, including expectation for practitioners to supply teachers, to continually develop their knowledge and use develop their Welsh language skills of Welsh, as well as extending in accordance with the expectation learners’ skills and competence in the new professional standards in Welsh • provide professional learning • published formal leadership opportunities to develop effective standards (for adoption by school teaching and learning of Welsh leaders by September 2018) which and subjects through the medium identify a responsibility to act as of Welsh, based on evidence and a role model by promoting and best practice extending Welsh language and culture across the school 25 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

• worked in collaboration with the opportunities for practitioners across Organisation for Economic Wales to access intensive Welsh Co-operation and Development language training (OECD) to participate in an • commissioned an evaluation international research project of Welsh language support focused on ‘Developing Schools as programmes within ITE to inform Learning Organisations’, building on new provision from September 2019 successful models of professional development; this will support the • allocated funding to undertake move towards a national network a campaign to attract more of learning organisations prospective teachers to teach Welsh and subjects through the medium • expanded the Welsh language of Welsh. Sabbatical Scheme to provide 26 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

To action our plan, we will do the following.

• Work with regional consortia and the By April 2018 EWC, using all available data sources, to develop a full picture of practitioners’ Welsh language skills and ability to teach through the medium of Welsh.

• Include questions about practitioners’ Collection to start academic Welsh language skills and ability to teach year 2019/20 and work through the medium of Welsh in the school workforce data collection from 2019 onwards, in accordance with regulations.

• Develop workforce planning for increasing By April 2018 Welsh language and Welsh-medium teachers and support staff by 2021 to include the role of ITE, Graduate Teacher Programme, incentives, supply teachers and professional learning.

• Work with schools, regional consortia To be implemented from and higher education to ensure that September 2018 we increase the number of learners studying Welsh and subjects through the medium of Welsh at A level to ensure a sufficient supply of future teachers for the Welsh-medium sector.

• Ensure that future ITE programmes foster From September 2019 student teachers’ appreciation of the Welsh language and provide opportunities for them to develop their proficiency in Welsh and expertise to teach through the medium of Welsh as part of their initial training. 27 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

• Work with regional consortia to develop From April 2018 and deliver a programme of professional learning, including the Welsh language Sabbatical Scheme, to ensure that teachers, supply teachers and support staff have the Welsh language skills and expertise in Welsh-language and Welsh-medium teaching.

• Evaluate the impact of the Welsh To start by April 2018 language Sabbatical Scheme.

• Work with the National Academy for Establish National Academy Educational Leadership and regional for Educational Leadership consortia to equip leaders with skills spring 2018 to strategically plan the development Development of Welsh to of Welsh within a culture of schools as be integral part of endorsed learning organisations. leadership provision from September 2018 onwards

• Work with the National Academy for A revised National Professional Educational Leadership, regional consortia Qualification for Headship and local authorities to ensure sufficient (NPQH) which aligns to the supply of future Welsh-medium leaders new leadership standards and to target resources effectively. will be available from September 2018

• Work with practitioners and stakeholders Professional standards for to develop professional standards for supporting teaching in place supporting teaching that are aligned with by September 2018 the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership in terms of Welsh language expectations. 28 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Planning • ensure effective use of the 21st Century Schools and Welsh-medium Education Capital Programme as education a means of increasing capacity in Welsh-medium settings Changes to the curriculum alone will not create our future Welsh speakers. • consolidate and expand One of the key transformational opportunities for learners to changes in Cymraeg 2050: A million access Welsh-medium education, Welsh speakers is to increase the whether in the primary or secondary number of learners in Welsh-medium sector, through immersion or late settings. Planning for this increase immersion provision. needs to be done in parallel with So far, we have: the planning for the introduction of the new Welsh language curriculum. • published an independent review We need to consider how the journey of local authorities’ WESPs that children and young people take • strengthened the partnership along the languages continuum can be between Welsh Government and supported by using more Welsh as a local authorities with a dedicated medium of teaching. Local authorities’ team tasked to support local Welsh education fora will continue to authorities to amend, support and be key to the cohesive approach of challenge the WESPs planning Welsh-medium education • supported the further development and all stakeholders who have a of the local Welsh in education fora role in educating our young people by highlighting their pivotal role in need to engage and be a part of this cohesive planning journey. • encouraged local authorities to align We will work with key partners to: their capital investment plans for • review the legislation expanding Welsh-medium school underpinning the strategic planning places with their WESP as they of Welsh-medium education develop their 21st Century Schools through WESPs and Education Capital Programme proposals. • review and facilitate the process for increasing the proportion of Welsh-medium teaching and learning in schools and consider how technology can be used to this end 29 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

To action our plan, we will do the following.

• Establish an independent board to advise January 2018 on changes to Welsh-medium education planning processes.

• Review the current legislation that Spring 2018 underpins the regulations and guidance for the WESPs.

• Consider options to develop alternative Spring 2018 models of delivering Welsh-medium provision, including through online, distance or digital learning models.

• Review the process for increasing the By spring 2019 proportion of Welsh-medium teaching and learning in schools.

• Review the definitions and categories By spring 2019 of schools in Wales according to the language which is used as the medium of instruction.

• Ensure that 21st Century Schools and Continuous 2017–21 Education Capital Programme proposals include opportunities to increase Welsh-medium school places.

• Increase opportunities for learners to Continuous 2017–21 access Welsh-medium education through specific provision. 30 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Excellence, equity and • ensure that Welsh language development and provision is well-being considered in the planning and We must ensure that all learners delivery of youth work provision, can have equal access to be that open access or targeted, Welsh-medium education and so learners have access to experience the best opportunities to opportunities for utilising and develop their language skills. As stated developing Welsh language skills in Education in Wales: Our national beyond the school gate. mission, Action plan 2017–21, So far, we have: equity requires that we ensure that the system, at school, local and national • required local authorities to plan level takes account of and responds their provision of ALN support as to the unique challenges that present part of their WESPs themselves to individuals or groups • commissioned Welsh language of learners. teaching and learning resources to support our learners with ALN Working with local authorities, health boards, regional consortia and a range • included proposals in the Additional of stakeholders we must: Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill to strengthen • ensure that the Welsh language the delivery of Welsh language is considered at the forefront of support in the future, moving planning and delivery of services to towards a system with parity support our learners with additional between services in Welsh and learning needs (ALN) in English • ensure that practitioners and the • commissioned research to inform wider education workforce have planning for the workforce which access to Welsh language support supports our learners with ALN, and resources to help both our most and includes the availability of vulnerable and our most talented Welsh language support learners to reach their potential • recognised the contribution of youth work provision to the development of the Welsh language through our National Youth Work Strategy. 31 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

To action our plan, we will do the following.

• Develop and deliver support for our more Spring 2018 able learners and those from pupil referral units through the medium of Welsh, English and bilingually.

• Establish an independently chaired Spring 2018 National Youth Support Services Board to provide strategic advice on the way forward for youth support services in Wales, including through the medium of Welsh.

• Work with the National Centre for September 2018 Learning Welsh to develop opportunities for parents/carers who choose to educate their children at home to learn Welsh.

• Work with partners to understand Mapping of resources by end what resources are available and are of 2018 being used to support learners with ALN in the classroom, and commission research to identify the need for Welsh language screening, assessment and diagnostic tools.

• Subject to the National Assembly for From 2018 Wales passing the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill, work with partners to implement the new ALN system, including by developing a new ALN Code, ensuring the Welsh language aspects are clear and fully integrated.

• Through the ALN transformation leads, Continuous 2017–21 identify opportunities to support the development of regional strategic planning to increase capacity in relation to ALN provision, including sufficient Welsh-medium provision. 32 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 33 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 34 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 Welsh in education timeline

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Welsh Curriculum, Languages, Literacy and Communication Language Continuum for languages assessment and Area of Learning and Experience to develop Charter available for feedback pedagogy continuum for languages, to include Welsh introduced in all schools Enrichment and experiences Develop research base around effective in Welsh pedagogy for the teaching and learning of Welsh and through the medium of Welsh Teaching and learning resources to support the curriculum developed in Welsh and English

Workforce planning for Welsh language Initial teacher education programmes to provide opportunities to develop proficiency in Welsh and Welsh-medium practitioners

Workforce planning, National and regional programme of professional learning, including Sabbatical Scheme, delivered professional learning and National Academy for Educational Leadership equip leaders to strategically plan the development of Welsh leadership

Improve recruitment of Welsh language and Welsh-medium practitioners and supply of Welsh-medium leaders

Establish independent board to Review changes to legislation New WESPs received and assessed for implementation from April 2020 advise on changes to WESPs that underpins WESPs Planning Welsh-medium education Review definitions and categories of schools according to medium of instruction

Review resources available to Develop Welsh-language resources and diagnostic tools for learners with ALN and ensure support learners with ALN workforce capacity to deliver support through the medium of Welsh Excellence, equity and well-being Ensure Welsh language and Welsh-medium support for more able learners, those in pupil referral units and learners educated at home 35 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 Welsh in education timeline

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Final continuum for languages Introduce continuum for languages available from Nursery though to Year 7

Develop new qualifications for teaching from September 2025 including Welsh

Teaching and learning resources to support the curriculum developed in Welsh and English

Initial teacher education programmes to provide opportunities to develop proficiency in Welsh

National and regional programme of professional learning, including Sabbatical Scheme, delivered

National Academy for Educational Leadership equip leaders to strategically plan the development of Welsh

Improve recruitment of Welsh language and Welsh-medium practitioners and supply of Welsh-medium leaders

New WESPs received and assessed for implementation from April 2020

Develop Welsh-language resources and diagnostic tools for learners with ALN and ensure workforce capacity to deliver support through the medium of Welsh

Ensure Welsh language and Welsh-medium support for more able learners, those in pupil referral units and learners educated at home 36 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Communication and engagement

Underpinning all our objectives will Planning be a comprehensive communication By July 2018, we will commission and engagement plan to ensure that audience insight and mapping all stakeholders are included in the exercises. We will engage with development of Welsh in education. stakeholders, the education workforce, The aim is to engage stakeholders, parents/carers, learners and the wider parents/carers and learners to be public. This will shape the messages a part of this exciting journey for and communications activity as part Welsh language and Welsh-medium of one coherent plan. education in Wales. Implementation We aim to support parents/carers when choosing Welsh-medium From September 2018, we will begin education for their child and to to implement the communication and inspire young people to continue to engagement plan, which will include study through the medium of Welsh, a number of strands and specific by showcasing opportunities to use campaigns that will aim to: the language at work and as part of • raise awareness of Welsh-medium everyday life. We will develop our and Welsh language education activities to ensure that learners, no matter where they are on the Welsh • provide information to language learning journey, understand parents/carers on how they why the language is an important part can support their children and of our education system. on opportunities for them to learn Welsh This is an exciting time for education • recruit more prospective teachers in Wales and the future of the Welsh to the Welsh-medium sector language, and we will showcase this through our campaigns and • increase the number of learners engagement ensuring that people continuing to study Welsh as with experience of learning the a subject language are at the heart of our • engage learners and communications. parents/carers in the changes to the Welsh language curriculum • raise awareness of Welsh language teaching and learning resources • raise awareness of opportunities to use the language in everyday contexts, including across digital platforms and in future employment. 37 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21 38 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Evaluation and accountability framework for improvement

As outlined in Education in Wales: Our The successful delivery of this action national mission, Action plan 2017–21, plan will lead to a number of positive we will establish a constructive and outcomes for learners and will ensure robust evaluation and accountability a coherent education system which has framework, which supports the the capacity to continue to develop in realisation of the four purposes of the longer term. the new curriculum. We will use this Confidence of young people, framework to assess and evaluate parents/carers and the education the success of the Welsh in education community action plan across the system, encouraging all partners to play their • Confident young Welsh full part in delivering the best for our speakers who: learners and teachers in all settings. –– can use the language in varying To evaluate progress in this area forms and contexts and have a we will: firm understanding of Wales, its literature, culture and history • gather evidence across all three tiers of planning for improvement of –– have greater awareness of Welsh in education through agreed the value of learning Welsh, measures an appreciation of bilingualism and the broader advantages that • monitor how schools and partners can be gained from learning within the Welsh in education languages, particularly in the context collaborate areas of multiliteracy and • review how evidence is being used cognitive development to support effective Welsh language and Welsh-medium teaching and –– enjoy learning Welsh in the learning classroom and using Welsh beyond the classroom • continue to be open to external advice and international best –– have a range of bilingual practice across the whole system resources to support their within the Welsh in education learning and are able to achieve context. appropriate qualifications and recognition for their progress in learning Welsh. 39 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

• Parents/carers and an education • Good use is made of evidence and community who: research across the system to ensure –– understand the value of learning effective teaching and planning. Welsh and bilingualism, and the • Local authorities are planning importance of Welsh as a skill and effectively for Welsh-medium as a basis for broadening cultural school places. and linguistic horizons Coherence in the system –– feel supported by the system in • Clear role for schools as learning the context of bilingual resources organisations in developing and to support their children’s improving the place of Welsh as learning in all settings. a subject and medium of teaching Capacity in the system in a collaborative school system.

• Data on Welsh language skills of • Clear roles for regional consortia, the workforce and ability to teach local authorities and Welsh Welsh and through the medium of Government in a self-improving Welsh is used to inform workforce system to develop and improve the planning to increase capacity. teaching and learning of Welsh and strategic planning in the context of • Professional learning and Welsh in education. collaboration opportunities are available for the entire workforce • Clear link to the Cymraeg 2050 to ensure that they can continually Strategy, as we work coherently develop their skills. across the system towards achieving a million speakers by 2050. • There are sufficient numbers of teachers to teach Welsh and • A common narrative is used around through the medium of Welsh and the benefits and importance of in specialist ALN roles. enabling all learners to become increasingly bilingual. • Leaders are strategically planning to develop Welsh across the school, including the skills of the workforce and ensuring a central focus to promoting a positive ethos for the language, culture and the value of bilingualism in the context of the four core purposes. • Teachers are reflecting on and developing their Welsh language skills and basing their teaching on effective pedagogy. 40 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Targets and indicators

Overall target: 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050

2011 2017 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2050

Trajectory: Number of Welsh speakers 562,000 570,000 600,000 630,000 680,000 750,000 830,000 920,000 1,000,000

How will the education system contribute to the overall target?

2017 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2050 Increase the proportion of learners who leave school able to New curriculum First cohort finish new curriculum where 55% of all learners at the end 70% of all speak Welsh introduced of statutory education are able to speak Welsh (around 19,000 learners learners at the from 2022 annually) end of statutory education are Gradual increase towards 70% in 2050 able to speak Welsh (around 25,000)

Increase the proportion of learners in Welsh-medium education 7,700* (22%) 8,400 (24%) 8,400 (24%) About 10,500 in each year group (30%) About 14,000 in each year group *2015/16 data Gradual increase towards 40% in 2050 (40%) Based on seven-year-olds assessed The targets are based on the assumption that the number of children in each year group will remain broadly in Welsh first language. constant at around 35,000 during this period.

2017 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2050 Increase the number of:

Primary teachers who teach in Welsh 2,900* 3,100 3,100 3,900 5,200

Secondary teachers who teach Welsh as a subject 500 600 600 900 1,200

Secondary teachers who teach subjects through the medium 1,800 2,200 2,200 3,200 4,200

of Welsh *2015/16 data 41 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Targets and indicators

Overall target: 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050

2011 2017 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2050

Trajectory: Number of Welsh speakers 562,000 570,000 600,000 630,000 680,000 750,000 830,000 920,000 1,000,000

How will the education system contribute to the overall target?

2017 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 2046 2050 Increase the number of:

Primary teachers who teach in Welsh 2,900* 3,100 3,100 3,900 5,200

Secondary teachers who teach Welsh as a subject 500 600 600 900 1,200

Secondary teachers who teach subjects through the medium 1,800 2,200 2,200 3,200 4,200 of Welsh *2015/16 data 42 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

The Cymraeg 2050 Strategy sets ambitious targets for reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. The table on pages 40 and 41 sets out how the education system will contribute to the overall aim, and includes targets for the number of learners in Welsh-medium education and the number of teachers required to teach Welsh as a subject and through the medium of Welsh.

In order to monitor the implementation of this action plan, we will also use a series of indicators.

Indicator 1: More seven- year-old learners being taught through the medium of Welsh

Percentage of Year 2 learners assessed in Welsh (first language)

2016/17 baseline 2021 target 22.4% 24.0%

Note: Based on the national data collection of teacher assessments.

Between 2017 and 2021, it is envisaged that the current pattern in terms of the percentage of learners in Welsh-medium education will remain fairly constant as the learners are already in the system. However, during the lifetime of this plan, we will expect local authorities to develop their plans on how they will increase the percentage in order to meet the target for 2031.

Indicator 2: More learners continuing to improve their language skills on transfer from primary to secondary school

Percentage of Year 9 learners assessed in Welsh (first language)

2016/17 baseline 2021 target 17.9% 21.0%

Note: Based on the national data collection of teacher assessments.

As with indicator 1, between 2017 and 2021, the percentage of Year 9 learners assessed in Welsh (first language) is not likely to increase substantially as the learners who will be in Year 9 in 2021 are already in Year 5. However, we will expect local authorities to continue to improve linguistic progression between primary and secondary to ensure that all our learners continue to develop their language skills on transition to secondary education, and that the number of learners who are able to change and follow the Welsh (second language) track at Key Stage 3 is reduced. As part of the new curriculum, a new continuum for languages will be developed, to include Welsh, and all learners will follow the same pathway for learning Welsh. Therefore, schools will have to ensure that learners continue to develop their Welsh language skills as they progress. 43 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Indicator 3: More learners studying for qualifications through the medium of Welsh

Percentage of learners entered for GCSE First Language Welsh entered for at least two further Level 1/2 qualifications through the medium of Welsh

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 82.8% 86.0%

Percentage of learners entered for GCSE First Language Welsh entered for at least five further Level 1/2 qualifications through the medium of Welsh

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 57.6% 65.0%

Note: Based on WJEC data. Excludes Welsh literature; applied GCSEs and double science count as two subjects; short courses count as one subject.

Welsh-medium education provides opportunities for learners to develop their proficiency in Welsh, as well as in English, and facilitating the use of Welsh across the curriculum can offer opportunities for learners to become more fully bilingual.

Indicator 4: More students with higher level Welsh-language skills

Total A level Welsh First Language entries as a percentage of GCSE First Language Welsh entries two years earlier

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 4.9% 6.0%

Total A level Welsh Second Language entries as a percentage of GCSE Welsh Second Language entries two years earlier

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 1.3% 3.0%

Note: Based on WJEC data.

The successful implementation of this action plan depends on a sufficient supply of university graduates in Welsh, from a pool of learners who have studied A level Welsh. The aim in relation to this indicator is therefore to halt and eventually reverse the downward trend in the number of learners studying A level Welsh seen in recent years. 44 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Indicator 5: More teachers able to teach Welsh as a subject and through the medium of Welsh

Number of primary teachers who teach through the medium of Welsh

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 2,900 3,100

Number of secondary teachers who teach Welsh as a subject

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 500 600

Secondary teachers who teach subjects through the medium of Welsh

2015/16 baseline 2021 target 1,800 2,200

Note: Based on data from the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC).

If we are to increase the number of learners studying through the medium of Welsh, we need to ensure a sufficient supply of teachers able to teach Welsh and through the medium of Welsh. Current data on the number of students who qualify to teach following successful completion of ITE is as follows.

2015/16

Number %

Primary ITE qualifiers able to teach bilingually/through 145 23 the medium of Welsh

Secondary ITE qualifiers able to teach Welsh 25 5

Secondary ITE qualifiers able to teach 55 15 bilingually/through the medium of Welsh

Source: HESA Student Record.

However, ITE is not the only means of ensuring a sufficient supply of teachers. In 2017/18, there are twenty graduate teacher placements in Welsh-medium schools. We will work with our partners to ensure that this route continues to generate teachers for the Welsh-medium sector and to upskill our current workforce to enable them to teach through the medium of Welsh in the future. 45 Welsh in education: Action plan 2017–21

Next steps

As previously outlined, this is a There are challenges ahead but over long-term agenda which requires the next four years our main aim is to careful planning to ensure sustainable ensure that the required leadership, delivery. We will provide the overall capacity and infrastructure to deliver leadership for developments, but we the changes are embedded in order will also require all our partners to to move forward with this important work collaboratively with us as we work for our future generations. move forward to deliver these essential important reforms.

Therefore, we will establish a working group of experts from the sector, consult with our key stakeholders, and will continually monitor and evaluate and consider international best practice as we move forward to implementation.