A new one-year pilot sabbatical scheme for primary teachers to
develop their Welsh-language skills will be delivered. This new
pilot will be added to the range of courses currently delivered
across Wales.
Additional money will also be provided to Regional Education
consortia to undertake a programme of work which will include
mapping the Welsh language skills of the workforce; mentoring and
school-to-school support; and providing a programme of Welsh
language professional learning for practitioners.
The full allocations are as follows:
£1,200,000 to support the provision and expansion of the national
sabbatical scheme
A new one-year pilot sabbatical scheme course for primary
teachers to develop their Welsh-language skills will be
delivered. As part of the full-time course, teachers will be
released from school to significantly develop their
Welsh-language skills, reflecting the increased expectations that
will be placed on all schools as part of the introduction the
Welsh language continuum.
£600,000 to improve Welsh language skills of learners through
informal opportunities
A programme of support will be developed to help English-medium
schools to improve learners’ Welsh language skills to ensure that
children and young people have more opportunities to use their
Welsh language skills in an authentic and constructive way beyond
Welsh language lessons.
£50,000 to attract Welsh-medium graduates
We recognise there is a need to recruit more graduates into
teaching in the Welsh-medium sector and to teach Welsh as a
subject. A campaign, in conjunction with key stakeholders will be
developed with a view to targeting undergraduates to go into
teaching. This funding will be directed to the Discover Teaching
campaign.
£2,055,000 for education consortia to support professional
learning for Welsh language and Welsh-medium practitioners
Each regional education consortium will receive an allocation to
support the professional development of practitioners’ Welsh
language skills and teaching pedagogy.
Consortia will be required to undertake a programme of work which
includes mapping the Welsh language skills of the workforce;
identifying practitioners to take part in the Sabbatical scheme;
mentoring and school-to-school support; sharing effective
practice, and providing a programme of Welsh language
professional learning for practitioners.
£200,000 to be allocated to undertake research
There is a need for research to ensure a sound evidence base for
the proposed language continuum and effective pedagogy for
teaching the language.
This money will deliver a programme of research and evaluation to
support Welsh in education and to develop capacity to promote a
vibrant research culture in the areas of Welsh-medium education
and language acquisition.
Education Secretary said:
“Developing a teaching workforce to teach Welsh and deliver
education through the medium of Welsh is essential in creating
more Welsh speakers and will be a priority over the next five
years.
“This means planning to support the development of teachers and
assistants and expanding the sabbatical scheme and other
professional learning opportunities for the present workforce.
Well crafted and delivered professional development is important
because it delivers benefits to the individual, their profession
and the public.
“ This investment aligns with our proposals for new teaching
standards in Wales which will provide opportunities for teachers
to develop their skills throughout their career to meet the needs
of the education system. ”
