Kirsty Williams: Thank you. Carmarthenshire has seen £87 million invested in their school estate through the first wave of the twenty-first century schools and colleges programme. A further £112 million for rebuild and refurbishment of Carmarthenshire’s school estate is proposed for the second wave of the programme, funding of which began in April of last year.
Kirsty Williams: Well, as the Member will be aware, the outline business case for the replacement of that particular school was approved in 2017. However, since that time, that proposal has become subject to a wide-ranging discussion around planning issues, which the Member will be aware of. The planning decision branch of the Welsh Government is currently contemplating the request of a call-in, but I have to...
Kirsty Williams: Absolutely. Given the considerable amount of public money that is being spent on the programme, both money from within Welsh Government, but also capital money that local government themselves put into the project, then there is an evaluation process. That helped inform the second wave of funding, and we continue to work with our local authority partners to deliver the best value for money...
Kirsty Williams: The leading education economist Luke Sibieta is taking forward an analysis of how total spending and spending on different categories varies across schools in specific circumstances in Wales. The terms of reference for this work have been published, and it is intended that this work will be completed before the summer recess.
Kirsty Williams: Okay. I can say that the decisions made by regional school improvement services, local education authorities and councils will form a part of Luke's investigation and report. One of the issues that was front and centre of the committee's report was not just the total sum of funding but actually the way in which that money allocated reaches the front line and gets into an individual school's...
Kirsty Williams: Diolch yn fawr, Llyr. Siarter Iaith is the responsibility of the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language. I can, however, tell you that the Siarter Iaith framework was part of the consultation on the new curriculum for Wales. The responses will be considered alongside the independent evaluation of the programme, which is currently ongoing.
Kirsty Williams: I'm sorry—
Kirsty Williams: Sorry—my earpiece. My Welsh isn't that good. [Laughter.] Blwyddyn 2 standard.
Kirsty Williams: Well, I hope the Member will be pleased when we publish the final version of the curriculum guidance at the end of this month that we have listened very carefully to the feedback from the initial period with regard to the Siarter. External evaluation is ongoing and, due to the changes to the timetable of the evaluation, the project will now not be completed until the end of February. As a...
Kirsty Williams: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Government to the committee's report on the teaching of Welsh history, heritage and culture. As has already been noted during the debate, we have accepted all of the recommendations in full or in principle bar one. I can confirm that Estyn will undertake a review of the teaching of Welsh history,...
Kirsty Williams: Indeed they can. And, again, there is nothing in the proposals for our new curriculum that would prevent that from happening. We will be working with practitioners to commission new resources that do refer to key events and topics in the histories of Wales and the world. And it is my expectation that these will provide a very real foundation as we move forward in the next two and a half...
Kirsty Williams: One of the statements of 'what matters' in the health and well-being area of learning and experience, which will be mandatory, focuses on developing healthy relationships and understanding how these are fundamental to well-being. It is also proposed that relationships and sexuality education will be a mandatory part of a school’s curriculum.
Kirsty Williams: The local authority is awaiting the outcome of further, more detailed investigations by geological experts that will refine the risks of landslide associated with the school. This work is ongoing and will inform any decision regarding re-opening.
Kirsty Williams: I will be considering detailed proposals on the expenditure of this funding in the next few weeks, and we will provide further information to colleges in February.
Kirsty Williams: School attendance remains a priority for this Government and all absence from school is taken seriously. Work is already underway to review policy to ensure that it continues to provide effective support to schools. Draft guidance will be published for consultation later this year.
Kirsty Williams: Formally move.
Kirsty Williams: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's been interesting, and sometimes illuminating, to hear the contributions this afternoon, but I think we can all agree that developing the skills of the workforce is essential if Wales is to thrive and prosper post Brexit. This Government is committed to supporting FE, HE and apprenticeships to ensure our people have the necessary skills to...
Kirsty Williams: Well, my colleague, the Minister for the economy, will have to clarify that, because actually apprenticeships fall under his department, not within the education department. But I will ensure that that information is made available to you. The motion does discuss—[Interruption.] The motion does discuss degree apprenticeships, which, again, are already a feature in the draft budget. Both...
Kirsty Williams: As I said, I'm not responsible for apprenticeships, but I am responsible for our FE provision, and I do want to be able to work with our colleges to make sure that that and agricultural qualifications are as good and as relevant as they need to be for the sector going forward. Sorry, I know I'm trying the patience of the Deputy Presiding Officer, but I want to turn to the amendment of Plaid,...
Kirsty Williams: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Today, I am publishing the refined curriculum for Wales guidance. This sets out: guidelines for every school to develop their curriculum; expectations around assessment arrangements to support learner progression; and the proposed legislative requirements to secure a consistency of approach for learners across the country. Improving education is our...
