Work on developing a new curriculum for Wales is well under way. The first part of this, the digital competence framework, was made available last September. Computer science will form a key element of the science and technology area of learning and experience.

I have set out our national mission to improve education attainment through a programme of education reforms. These include the development of a new curriculum and assessment reform, improved initial teacher education, teacher’s professional development, building leadership capacity and reducing the attainment gap.

The education budget for 2017-18 supports my priorities as Cabinet Secretary—a relentless focus on raising standards, reducing the attainment gap between the most disadvantaged pupils and their peers, promoting teaching excellence, and my national and international ambitions for our higher education institutions in Wales.

Universities are autonomous bodies responsible for their own student admissions. However, Cabinet colleagues and officials have been discussing with representatives from Cardiff and Swansea medical schools how they can encourage Welsh students to choose to study in Wales and how we can overcome barriers that might discourage them from applying.

Today, I published a written statement on Schools Challenge Cymru. The final evaluation report will be available later during the spring term. In the meantime, my officials will continue to work with the education consortia to ensure we fully capitalise on the learning emerging from the programme.

The impact of the pupil deprivation grant, and our focus on school improvement, is making a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged learners. We are starting to break the very stubborn link between poverty and educational attainment.