Jeremy Miles: I hold regular headteacher round-table meetings, including meeting headteachers from three schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf since November 2021. These provide opportunities to raise concerns, such as the impact of COVID-19, which we know has negatively impacted well-being. This year I have agreed £347,000 funding to support well-being in schools in RCT.
Jeremy Miles: Schools undoubtedly have a key role in educating learners to use social media safely and responsibly. Through Hwb's 'Keeping safe online' area, schools have access to dedicated advice for learners on social media issues. Schools can also direct families to 'In the Know', to support them navigate social media safely.
Jeremy Miles: Ukrainian children coming to Wales are entitled to a school place. The statutory school admissions code applies to Ukrainian children as it does to all children. Local authorities should help families arriving from Ukraine to apply for school places and let them know which schools have places.
Jeremy Miles: For 2022-23 we are providing £270,000 to the Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru programme. This funds a package of universal support, including resources for schools, local authorities and families; research, networks and events; and focused, targeted support to schools where most needed.
Jeremy Miles: ...poverty on children and young people’s attainment is central to our flagship pupil development grant. Year on year we have extended the PDG to reflect the increase for children eligible for free school meals with funding for 2022-23 now over £130 million.
Jeremy Miles: In recognition of the pressures facing families, on 14 March I announced an additional one off payment of £100 to every child or young person eligible for PDG Access for the upcoming school year.
Jeremy Miles: The Welsh Government is committed to creating an inclusive education system that enables all learners to reach their potential. The additional learning needs system puts learners at the centre and will ensure support is properly planned and protected.
Jeremy Miles: Local authorities are responsible for planning school places. When proposing significant changes to any school, local authorities and other proposers must comply with the statutory provisions of the school organisation code and must take into account a range of factors, with the prime consideration being the interests of learners.
Jeremy Miles: The health and well-being area of learning and experience places well-being at the heart of our new curriculum. It is supported by statutory guidance for schools on developing whole-school approaches to well-being, £9 million of investment in the current year, and a commitment to fund support in future years.
Jeremy Miles: Swansea have a target to grow their Welsh-medium education provision by at least 8 per cent over the next 10 years. They've recently consulted on their Welsh in education strategic plan that sets out how they propose to achieve that. They're due to submit that plan at the end of this month.
Jeremy Miles: I provided all schools with two planning days at the start of this term to enable them to plan and prepare for the return of learners. We continue to monitor the position closely and are in regular discussion with local authorities and unions to maximise learning and minimise disruption.
Jeremy Miles: ...under the sustainable communities for learning programme are required to use their facilities effectively both for their pupils and their local communities. In the Islwyn area in particular, new school sport facilities at Rhiw Syr Dafydd, Blackwood and Islwyn High schools are available for community use.
Jeremy Miles: School funding in Wales is provided through the revenue support grant. It is for local authorities to determine allocation. Further targeted funding is provided through additional Welsh Government grants. The majority of education funding is available to all schools, including rural schools. The small and rural schools grant of £2.5 million is available this financial year.
Jeremy Miles: Children may receive education through school settings or other means for example elective home education. Most learners receive their education in mainstream school. Local authorities are able to make arrangements for Education Other Than at School for learners who require tailored support away from mainstream settings.
Jeremy Miles: We are reviewing this area and plan to publish a Strategy for Educational Equity early next year. Also the Curriculum for Wales is central to our aspirations for learners’ attainment. Through the Renew and Reform plan, we have committed £160m, with a clear focus on support for disadvantaged learners.
Jeremy Miles: Supply teachers employed directly by schools or local authorities are covered by the same statutory provisions as permanent teachers. Staff employed by agencies are not covered by these provisions. However, in Wales, most supply teacher agencies have voluntarily agreed to abide by conditions set out in the National Procurement Service framework agreement.
Jeremy Miles: ..., rŷn ni wedi bod yn gwneud amryw o bethau. Mae'r fframwaith ysgol gyfan ar gyfer llesiant yn cynnwys ymyraethau sydd yn cefnogi athrawon a phenaethiaid hefyd, gan gynnwys darpariaeth benodol gan Education Support ac eraill, er mwyn iddyn nhw hefyd gael gofod i allu delio â'r pwysau sydd wedi bod yn realiti iddyn nhw dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. O ran adnoddau pellach, rŷn ni wedi, wrth...
Jeremy Miles: As stated in the new programme for government, we are committed to eliminate inequality at every level of society, which includes implementing policies in education that will give everyone the best life chances. We recognise that this will require radical action, innovative thinking and strong coordination and collaboration.
Jeremy Miles: The Welsh Government provided significant suport in the financial year 2020-21 to support the education system’s response to COVID-19, which included £26.491 million to support learners to complete vocational qualifications as well as £5 million on supporting vocational learners returning to college to complete licence to practice qualifications.
Jeremy Miles: I wrote to all schools last Friday confirming we will no longer be recommending contact groups or bubbles from the start of the next school year. The intention is to ensure we minimise the number of learners self-isolating unnecessarily.
