MS, Minster for Education and
Welsh Language: I am today launching a consultation on draft
statutory guidance on 14 to 16 Learning in the
Curriculum for Wales.
From September 2024, the Curriculum for Wales will be taught in
all primary schools and years 7, 8 and 9, with the next stages of
roll out into years 10 and 11 from September 2025 and 2026
respectively. We know how important years 10 and 11 are in
learners’ education, and how their choices and achievements
influence their future pathways. The guidance therefore sets out
Welsh Government’s policy for learning and teaching in years 10
and 11, alongside the legal requirements for schools, and will
form part of the Curriculum for Wales framework guidance. Schools
already provide much of this, and the guidance sets out clear
national expectations to help provide equity and consistency in
the curriculum experienced by learners across Wales, with all
schools valuing the same things that contribute to a learner’s
progression and successful onward transition.
The guidance introduces the 14 to 16 Learner Entitlement: the
learning that all learners in year 10 and 11 will benefit from
under the Curriculum for Wales. This builds on
reformed National 14 to 16
Qualifications by Qualifications Wales; the wider learning
and experiences required by the Curriculum for Wales; and
emphasises the importance of dedicated time for reflection and
post-16 planning to support learners to make informed and
considered choices as they undertake their next steps and post-16
transitions.
I recognise that for our young people, learning at 14 to 16 is
the first stage in their longer 14 to 19 pathway to adulthood,
further and higher education, and employment. The guidance
addresses some of the findings and recommendations of Hefin
David’s ‘Transitions to Employment’ report and the Review of
Vocational Qualifications. My officials have engaged widely
with schools, colleges and employers over recent months.
To further support schools as they plan for September 2025 and
the first teaching of year 10 learners under the new curriculum,
we plan to provide supporting materials alongside the
finalisation of the guidance. We will also lead the development
of professional learning for practitioners to complement the
schedule that has been developed by WJEC for Made-for-Wales
GCSEs. This includes an unprecedented pan-Wales plan, which will
see clusters of schools close for INSET delivered by WJEC on a
designated day between February and April 2025.
In addition to providing a structure for curriculum design in
years 10 and 11, the Learner Entitlement should also act as a
framework for schools to use to self-evaluate and reflect upon
the learning, progress and achievements of their learners in
these years, and to plan for further improvements. Similarly, at
a national level, by articulating what we value in 14 to 16
learning, it will inform our proposals on what should be included
in the new school information ecosystem. This includes the
information requirements that will replace the interim (capped 9)
performance measures. Finally, it will help shape the
expectations against which Estyn inspect secondary schools from
September 2025.
