Kirsty Williams: We are working with stakeholders to develop robust plans for learners to return to schools in the autumn. I intend to make a statement later this week outlining my plans and the learning priorities for the next academic year.
Kirsty Williams: One of the four purposes of the new curriculum for Wales is for young people to become ethical, informed citizens who understand and exercise their human and democratic responsibilities and rights. Learning in the new curriculum will be inclusive and will draw on a range of different perspectives.
Kirsty Williams: We have announced that we are also establishing a working group to oversee the development of learning resources and to identify gaps in current resources and training. I believe that it's important, in that work, that that looks a lot wider than simply the subject of history. Instead, I want that to be a truly cross-curricular endeavour, including positive role models and learning through...
Kirsty Williams: Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I'd like to begin by thanking Siân Gwenllian and Plaid Cymru for the opportunity to discuss the proposed new curriculum. As Members will know, the curriculum and assessment Bill, subject to the determination by the Llywydd, is scheduled to be introduced ahead of the summer recess. Plaid Cymru are correct to recognise the new curriculum as a historic...
Kirsty Williams: Formally move.
Kirsty Williams: Thank you, Lynne, and thank you for taking the opportunity to highlight the good practice at Garnteg. I have to say I have been overwhelmed by the outstanding practice that has been delivered by schools throughout this period, including the incredible flexibility that has been shown by all members of the education workforce and support staff in schools during this time. Lynne, I think you are...
Kirsty Williams: Can I thank the Member for her questions? Prior to making my announcement of my proposals for extending the summer term by a week, we had secured the agreement of the WLGA, and that proposal was endorsed by all 22 leaders and the directors of education. I was very clear—I think I did a webinar with teaching unions that very evening—that the fourth week would be a voluntary week. It goes...
Kirsty Williams: Presiding Officer, Siân Gwenllian is absolutely right to acknowledge the hard work of headteachers the length and breadth of Wales, who have planned so diligently with their staff to provide these opportunities. Members will be aware that I did indeed propose that the summer term should be extended by an additional week and, in lieu of staff working that additional week, that half term in...
Kirsty Williams: Presiding Officer, schools will increase operations form Monday to check in, catch up and prepare for the summer and September. Working together, heads, education staff, unions and councils have ensured that we are the only country in the United Kingdom where all pupils will have an opportunity to return to school before the summer break.
Kirsty Williams: Thank you, Nick. In publishing guidance next week, obviously that is the national context in which we expect operators, institutions and settings to operate, but as I said in answer to Mr Reckless earlier, I have to accept that one size does not fit all and we have to rely on the professional discretion and the professionalism of setting leaders and individual headteachers. If we're thinking...
Kirsty Williams: Well, the Member is absolutely correct, one of the reasons why we need to take advantage of the summer months is because we can have more of our teaching done outside, and that's one of the reasons why we've taken the decision that we have. With regard to her points on promoting excellence in outdoor education, we're working with a range of stakeholders to ensure that resources and good...
Kirsty Williams: Well, Dai, the Bill is not structured in a way that—. English is on the face of the Bill for all stages of education, and the Bill treats English and Welsh in exactly the same way. The Bill also allows for English to be disapplied in those settings where immersion is well understood to be the appropriate way in which Welsh language skills can be acquired by our very youngest students. What...
Kirsty Williams: Oh, the regional consortia—yes.
Kirsty Williams: Yes. So, I can't remember the exact date that we gave those instructions to the regional consortia, but their first report is due to be published on 19 June.
Kirsty Williams: Certainly, Angela, I can confirm that Qualifications Wales and the WJEC are already beginning to try and ascertain what an ongoing period of disruption to education—the impact that that will have on the next exam series. You're right; they are actively considering what would be appropriate in terms of elements that would traditionally be carried out, and how that would impact the next...
Kirsty Williams: Deputy Presiding Officer, it's a 'yes' to both of those things, and I will report back to Rhianon Passmore as we consider the points that she's made.
Kirsty Williams: Thank you, Vikki. One of the reasons why we are taking three and a half weeks—we've explored some of the public health reasons about why we need to give ourselves more time, but one of the other very important reasons is that we need to give time for our school staff to implement this system and to provide training to headteachers, teachers and those who have a responsibility for...
Kirsty Williams: Okay. First of all, with regard to FE colleges, I'll repeat what I said in my statement: further education colleges will open for more face-to-face teaching on 15 June. That is slightly earlier, because, in discussions with the college principals, ColegauCymru and the unions, they think they can move more quickly to do that. And she is absolutely right, in agreeing some priorities, that group...
Kirsty Williams: With regard to our very youngest children, I know that this is a particular area of concern to many people because of the ability for our very youngest learners to understand the concept of social distancing. You can have a conversation with older children and they can understand what they can and can't do; the natural instincts of our very youngest learners are to be together, and that can...
Kirsty Williams: Thank you, Lynne. Yes, we will publish operational guidance next week. That is being finalised—we are still consulting with our local education authorities, teaching unions and the groups that we have established to make sure that that guidance is as good as it needs to be, and that work is ongoing. It will cover all of the operational issues that are associated with the check-in sessions...
