Julie James: ...communities, including things like community Wi-Fi schemes and so on, we're actively researching that at the moment. We're hopefully going to put some pilot schemes in operation very shortly around school communities and so on, so we're very much looking at that. In terms of the UK full-fibre issue, that's very problematic for us, because our biggest problem still in Wales is getting it...
Julie James: Indeed. I completely concur with many of the remarks you made. St Teilo's is a really good example. It's really excellent to see what can be done in schools. The Member makes a very good point about the diaspora, as well, and the work that we have to do, which is why I was emphasising the community cohesion parts of these outreach workers. I just want to highlight as well, Deputy Presiding...
Julie James: ...profile of these terrible hate crimes that we raise the profile of the issue generally in wider society. So, as I said, we have a multipronged approach. We have a very comprehensive approach in our education system. We have a very good multi-agency approach to the darker end of it, if you like. We have a curriculum response that I won't pre-announce on behalf of my colleague who's going to...
Julie James: ...remember only too vividly. But we also have, at the other end of the spectrum, youngsters coming forward who we want to have the very best possible outcome all the way through our processes in our schools. And we are addressing those issues all the way through. So, as I said—I won't repeat myself—we're currently looking at the bullying policies in schools, specifically with a view to...
Julie James: ...move on, people bring different agendas to the table, the community itself raises different issues and Government policy needs to adapt and change. So, for example, looking at the bullying in schools, which you raised, we have a large number of plans to be able to conquer some of the issues that we face. So, for example, we publish lesson plans for schools on gender- and...
Julie James: ...suggest that LGBTQ+ people no longer face discrimination. Stonewall research shows us that more than half of LGBT young people in Wales and 73 per cent of trans young people still face bullying at school for being what they are—nearly half of those never tell anyone about it. We also know that one in five LGBT people in Britain have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their...
Julie James: ...with a number of Cabinet colleagues, and had a very useful meeting with Mike Hedges AM on this as well about the services for people with hearing loss around a whole range of issues, including in education, in health settings, in general communications areas and so on. Actually, as part of my own brief with my equalities hat on, I hope to be at least including it as part of my statement,...
Julie James: ...I'm very much looking forward to doing that. She did speak a great deal not just about period poverty, but, as many Members in the Chamber have talked about, about period dignity and the need for education and the need for knowledge, and how both education and knowledge are essential in order to maintain dignity, as well as to have the money necessary to have essentials in your life....
Julie James: ...a thoroughly lovely time. I particularly liked the baths, and the illusion of people swimming in the baths is particularly effective. For anybody who hasn't been, I highly recommend it. It's a very educational and pleasant day out, so I couldn't recommend it more. We have had initial conversations to consider the future of the heritage offer at Caerleon. We're going to be involving other...
Julie James: ...awarded for the academic year 2015-16 was £797.5 million, which is an increase of 7 per cent on the previous year. Our recent performance data suggests retention rates for undergraduate higher education students in Wales are improving. Data for Wales for full-time first degree young entrants from low-participation areas shows a reduction in withdrawal rates from 9.1 per cent in the...
Julie James: The Welsh Government recognises the financial barriers that can stop people entering higher education. That is why, following the Diamond review, we have reformed student support, so that new full-time and part-time undergraduate students are entitled to support equivalent to the national living wage whilst they study.
Julie James: We do teach phonics in Welsh schools. I've personally visited schools and watched their phonics tuition, so I'm absolutely well aware that we teach phonics already. I'm sure that more could be done to teach more children phonics. But I do think the statistics that you're quoting are a little misleading because most dyslexic children have additional time and take different exams. So, I'm...
Julie James: ...absolute fact that the more additional learning needs the pupil has, the more support they need and the more money that costs. But, of course, we want to do the very best for all the people in our school system, including the most vulnerable and those with additional needs and that's what the legislation aims to do.
Julie James: ...that for the Member. Our efforts on behalf of Africa, through the Wales for Africa programme, always bring benefits, not only to the people that we're assisting in Africa to do things such as build schools, get computer equipment, have libraries and so on, but actually to hugely enrich the cultural life of Wales in the exchanges that take place. I'm very well aware of many such programmes...
Julie James: ...students and has just completed her degree in astrophysics. Our programme helped her on the way, and we are engaging with young women such as Jessica to get as many ambassadors out into our schools as possible and I've been having long conversations with my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport about how we can, as part of the economic action plan, encourage...
Julie James: ...my mind. I'm more than happy, as part of our discussion, to include my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Health, who is responsible for most of the services, and I think some of them are probably education services as well. So, if we have that conversation, I'm more than happy to take that forward. I'd just like to reiterate that I've not had those concerns raised directly with me, but...
Julie James: So, the Member rightly identifies an issue that's been at the forefront of many of our minds for some time. My colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Education will shortly be making a statement on the teaching of—I can't remember exactly how it's put—sex and relationships education, effectively. That might not be the exact title, forgive me, but that's the gist of it. We've been building...
Julie James: We are implementing commitments in the national strategy for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. These include awareness-raising, educating children and young people about healthy relationships, working with perpetrators, funding a helpline for victims, and training professionals to recognise, and act on, signs of abuse and violence.
Julie James: Responsibility for planning for accessibility in schools lies with local authorities and schools. To support them, we have published updated guidance in discussion with the office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. We are also making a substantial investment in schools through the twenty-first century schools programme, which will improve accessibility.
Julie James: ...the Member is aware of these things. I too heard the interview on the radio this morning with the supplier in question. I'm more than happy to have a conversation with the Cabinet Secretary for Education about her view as to the sentiments expressed on that programme, but the contract was let in the normal way, through the National Procurement Service. But, as I say, I'm more than happy...
