Jeremy Miles: Yes, I think that's a really important point. Everything I know from having visited the college—and I was delighted to be able to officially open the STEAM Academy, actually, in Pencoed campus—is that the college has a real focus, actually, on making sure it's accessible to its students, obviously, but also to the community that it serves at large. There's a strong sense of mission, I...
Jeremy Miles: We are continuing to work with our initial teacher education partnerships and other stakeholders to ensure that recruitment to programmes of initial teacher education meet the desired levels for the future workforce.
Jeremy Miles: Well, I'll take the opportunity, if I may, to compliment Huw Irranca-Davies and Sarah Murphy on their commitment to the work of the college, the support that you both provide for it, and for the further education offer in your constituencies as well. On both occasions I've been to the college in the last year, you've both been there, and it's been fantastic to see the level of community...
Jeremy Miles: My officials in the sustainable communities for learning programme team are actively involved in discussions with Bridgend College about this development, and I am delighted, personally, that the college is proposing to accelerate delivery of a future pipeline project, which could both improve its educational offer and support the regeneration of Bridgend town centre.
Jeremy Miles: Well, I can assure you that—I know that you've quoted an academic who feels strongly in support of the perspective that you describe—there are plenty of others who take exactly the opposite view. And she will have known that, yesterday, we had the Institute of Physics and the other comparable bodies for chemistry and biology here in the Senedd, and if you took the time to speak with some...
Jeremy Miles: We discuss this issue regularly. We have most recently discussed a range of areas linked to the issue of addressing skills gaps, including careers and work-related experiences, the young person's guarantee, and the renew and reform project.
Jeremy Miles: I accept the point that one of the challenges is to have the time to look after yourself. That has been very challenging. You're right also to say that the experience of the last two years isn't at an end, and education practitioners, teachers and assistants are under pressure currently. Certainly, that is true. In terms of the further support, you will have seen the statement that about half...
Jeremy Miles: 'Yes' is the answer. There are two things ongoing. We have tripled the budget to provide support to teachers who are under pressure. Part of that is online resources, some of it is one-to-one advice, and some of it is training for leaders and headteachers to identify what more could be done in terms of support within schools. The broader budget is going to enable that service to reach more...
Jeremy Miles: Well, the Member, I think, is conflating two separate things. The review that has been announced by the Welsh Government, in conjunction with Plaid Cymru, is around the made-in-Wales qualifications. There's an existing review that Qualifications Wales has already been undertaking and, as I'm sure she knows, has done a risk analysis of the impact on Welsh learners of the withdrawal of...
Jeremy Miles: Well, I'm sorry to give the Member the same answer that I gave earlier, but I'm not sure she entirely followed what I was saying. There is a vocational qualifications review under way that will explore the extent to which made-in-Wales qualifications can be extended beyond the existing level of provision. And in the meantime, there is an extension to those most popular qualifications, to...
Jeremy Miles: Well, that's an important question that the Member raises in her question. She's right to say that the UK Government is phasing out a number of qualifications in England, which will have an effect on learners in Wales because they're also studied here in Wales. That is a decision that is being taken without reference to the interests of learners in Wales, by the UK Government. What...
Jeremy Miles: Well, the combined effect, I think, of the curriculum reforms and the ALN reforms is—. The focus on literacy will drive improvement in this area, and the training available through the professional learning programme that we've been investing in will specifically equip our teaching workforce to identify dyslexia and support pupils that need additional support. Of course, there is a range of...
Jeremy Miles: Well, thank you for that question. Certainly we do need to do more to ensure the availability of resources through the medium of Welsh for dyslexia in general. As part of the plan to ensure that the new legislation is implemented in the most effective way, we are working with a steering group and we will be recruiting people with expertise in this area to implement the additional learning...
Jeremy Miles: We are developing the skills of the education workforce and have made additional bilingual resources and guidance available to help practitioners better meet the educational needs of learners with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. In addition, the rights are being sought to a new all-age Welsh dyslexia screening test.
Jeremy Miles: Well, we look forward to supporting the coleg Cymraeg in expanding its reach through all parts of the higher education system in Wales, including those to which the Member refers in his question. The resources available to the coleg Cymraeg will be significantly extended as a consequence of the work that we're doing jointly with Plaid Cymru under the co-operation agreement, and it's in many...
Jeremy Miles: Thank you for the question. We know what the situation is. There is a need to recruit more teachers who can teach science subjects through the medium of Welsh, and we have plans to do so through financial incentives to incentivise people and draw people into the profession to teach through the medium of Welsh. So, the question of continuity that the Member talks about is vital, I think, and,...
Jeremy Miles: It was an honour to attend the coleg's tenth birthday celebration last week. I'm pleased to be able to commit to providing additional funding to the coleg to increase the proportion of apprenticeships and Welsh-medium further education. This is being done in collaboration with Cefin Campbell, the Plaid Cymru designated Member, as part of the co-operation agreement between the Welsh...
Jeremy Miles: I hold regular headteacher round-table meetings, including meeting headteachers from three schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf since November 2021. These provide opportunities to raise concerns, such as the impact of COVID-19, which we know has negatively impacted well-being. This year I have agreed £347,000 funding to support well-being in schools in RCT.
Jeremy Miles: Schools undoubtedly have a key role in educating learners to use social media safely and responsibly. Through Hwb's 'Keeping safe online' area, schools have access to dedicated advice for learners on social media issues. Schools can also direct families to 'In the Know', to support them navigate social media safely.
Jeremy Miles: Ukrainian children coming to Wales are entitled to a school place. The statutory school admissions code applies to Ukrainian children as it does to all children. Local authorities should help families arriving from Ukraine to apply for school places and let them know which schools have places.
