The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, , has today announced details
of plans to improve literacy and numeracy, as part of wider
efforts to deal with impacts of the Covid pandemic in
schools.
Before the pandemic, Wales was making positive progress in
literacy and numeracy. But it’s becoming clear the impacts of the
pandemic have undone some of these gains. A recent Welsh
Government report on reading and
numeracy attainment has detailed some of the impacts.
A new maths plan has been
developed aiming to raise standards. New engaging ways of
learning will be developed as part of the new curriculum to build
the confidence of learners. A new evidence, advice and research
group will be established, made up of mathematics specialists
from Wales, the UK and from around the world, to provide advice
to partners who will create a made-for-Wales professional
learning package.
Ysgol Coedcae in Llanelli has developed the teaching of financial
literacy in engaging ways.
Education Minister visited a maths lesson which
focussed on financial education at the school to see first-hand
how learners are being taught how to calculate percentages and
apply this to calculating payments on loans from high interest
loan companies.
Sam Terry, Head of Maths at Coedcae School, said:
“As teachers, we have a duty to prepare and educate young people
for a life outside of the classroom, and to provide them with the
necessary tools to navigate a world of financial
uncertainty.
“We at Coedcae School are using the new curriculum to create a
numerically confident group of learners who can break the cycle
of people who claim, 'I can't do maths'.”
The oracy and reading
toolkit published earlier this year has been updated to give
further clarity on the role of early communication skills and
systematic phonics, as proven strategies for developing essential
reading skills. The toolkit provides a range of information and
resources which will enable schools to develop and embed their
own approach to reading and oracy.
said:
“Clear support for our young people in both literacy and
numeracy is vital given the ongoing impact of the pandemic, to
enable them to gain the full benefits of the curriculum.
“There is excellent work taking place in schools across Wales
such as the financial education lessons I observed at Ysgol
Coedcae. Our action plans aim to ensure all learners can benefit
from such engaging teaching.”
These plans are part of a wider package of support for schools
which has been provided to mitigate the effects of the pandemic,
such as the Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards (RRRS)
Programme. Recent evaluation of the programme shows the
beneficial impact of the funding which has been targeted towards
those most impacted by Covid. This included increasing
staff capacity in early years and school settings.
Notes to editors
Evaluation of the Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards (RRRS)
Programme https://www.gov.wales/evaluation-recruit-recover-and-raise-standards-rrrs-programme
Welsh Government statistical report (23
November) on patterns in attainment in reading and numeracy,
using national-level data from personalised assessments.
Written Statement March 2023: Whole School Approach to
Oracy and Reading
