Jeremy Miles: The Member says that we can 'debate the merits' of it; let's be clear, he doesn't want us to be doing it. [Interruption.] He doesn't want us to be feeding every child in primary school, so that's absolutely the position that his party takes. So, there's no debate about the merits of it; it's pretty clear what his position is on it, so let's have that on the record. There's a significant fund...
Jeremy Miles: Well, Heledd Fychan raised some very important issues. She knows that I agree with her that schools should be accessible to children from all backgrounds, and the school essentials grant has made a significant contribution to that, and along with that, we are launching a campaign to market the availability of that grant in order to ensure that everyone who qualifies does apply for that...
Jeremy Miles: Our school essentials grant has made a huge difference to a number of low-income families across Wales, helping to reduce concerns about the purchase of uniform and kit, for example. Funding of £13.6 million will be available in 2023-24.
Jeremy Miles: .... Equity and inclusion are at the heart of both the additional learning needs system and the Curriculum for Wales, which aim to help ensure that all children and young people have access to an education that enables them to reach their potential.
Jeremy Miles: Local authorities in north Wales, in partnership with the GwE consortium, are primarily responsible for ensuring the quality of school education in their localities. The Welsh Government supports those efforts by providing a framework for evaluation, improvement and accountability and the implementation of the new Curriculum for Wales.
Jeremy Miles: Dirprwy Lywydd, as noted in the motion, schools and colleges must consider the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that's also clearly set out in our guidance. This includes the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them; to have their views considered and taken seriously; and the right to privacy. It's therefore vital that learners understand...
Jeremy Miles: ...information is used to enable learners, and indeed any citizen, to engage in day-to-day activities. In 2022, as Sarah Murphy mentioned, I launched revised guidance on safeguarding biometric data in schools and colleges, and I did so in Bryntirion Comprehensive School, with Sarah, in Bridgend. The guidance does provide clear information to schools and colleges on their legal duties in...
Jeremy Miles: ...and we'll stop doing the things that are not effective. The objective is to increase the numbers, as I know that she wants us to do as well, so that every child in Wales that wants a Welsh language education can receive one.
Jeremy Miles: ...in Wales but beyond too—people coming together because of the Welsh language, Welsh culture in Welsh. As I said, our language is about people. And the collaboration we saw on that day between schools, mentrau iaith and a host of other people and organisations was wonderful. I'd like to thank them and thank Dydd Miwsig Cymru for their work throughout the year. I also announced a new grant...
Jeremy Miles: ...has been in place, but, even in that brief period of time, we have ensured that every local authority in Wales has published plans to increase access to the Welsh language across all categories of schools, as Mike Hedges mentioned. Before the end of the month, I will publish a work programme for next year, but bear in mind, at the end of the day, it's not documents that are important, but...
Jeremy Miles: ...at any point in the academic year and, where their family circumstances change, resulting in a drop in income, we encourage young people to apply for EMA with a current-year income assessment. Our schools and colleges work closely with their learners to ensure that they are receiving the support they're entitled to. We have exemptions to means testing for some our most vulnerable young...
Jeremy Miles: ...the allowance. Along with our other commitments to young people and with an annual budget of £17 million, the EMA makes it possible for more than 18,000 young people to remain in post-compulsory education annually.
Jeremy Miles: That's an important question. Of course, the main purpose of this is to ensure that the way that we educate learners is as broad as possible, so that people have enhanced opportunities to access diverse courses, and there'll be different demands in different areas in terms of courses in our colleges. But it's also an opportunity—as I mentioned in response to Sioned Williams—it's also an...
Jeremy Miles: ...sector here in Wales, and opportunities do come about as a result of that. In terms of collaboration with the private sector, we've also funded knowledge transfer programmes, so that further education teaching staff can maintain their skills in collaboration with the private sector, and have exchanges with the private sector, so that they can keep their skills up to date, which is so...
Jeremy Miles: ...is able to access the provision that results from that. The Member will also recall the significant capital investment that we have made to fund the provision of laptops and tablets in both the school and college sector, so that those individuals who may find it challenging themselves to buy what can often be very expensive equipment are also able to access that kit, that equipment,...
Jeremy Miles: ...that colleges’ strategic plans will identify longer term ambitions for digital learning, but will focus more closely on the period from 2023 to 2025, whilst the new commission for tertiary education and research is being established. Digital technology offers huge potential to help deliver the commission’s key goals of strengthening collaboration across the post-16 sector, widening...
Jeremy Miles: I want our further education sector in Wales to be at the leading edge of innovation, creativity and collaboration. I am very pleased to see many examples of this type of activity in our FE sector. Our colleges are sharing knowledge and experiences of exploring the use of virtual and augmented reality, exploring creative partnerships with hi-tech industries, and working with partners to...
Jeremy Miles: ...the development of digital learning, on a scale that we could never have anticipated before the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to pay tribute to the dedication of our staff and leaders across the whole education sector, who worked to keep our learners engaged during a period of unprecedented challenge. It's now time to look forward. We have an exciting opportunity to consider how teaching and...
Jeremy Miles: The link between attendance and educational attainment is, of course, clear. Missing sustained periods of school presents a real risk to a child's attainment, and can also lead to them feeling more disengaged from their education. Monitoring educational outcomes and the links with attendance rates are crucial considerations as part of the development of the new data ecosystem. Simply put, the...
Jeremy Miles: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank the members of the Children, Young People and Education Committee for this important report. What's clear to me in considering the recommendations is the importance of considering attendance along with other influences and factors, as we've already heard, such as socioeconomic status, well-being and broader systemic issues. Tackling the impact of...
