8. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to prepare the post-16 education sector in Wales for the implementation of the recommendations included in the 'Successful Futures' report? OAQ51676

Professor Donaldson's review, 'Successful Futures', had radical and wide-ranging implications for the education system in Wales. We've been working with a range of stakeholders to develop the plan and overall timeline. The focus is on the essential and employability skills young people need in their future lives.

Further education should be included in the design and development of the curriculum. The Baker clause has recently come into effect in England, whereby schools are required to let FE providers advertise their services to pupils in years 8 to 13, making learners aware of the range of options available to them after they leave compulsory education. With the significant reforms under way to the curriculum, and particularly governance of post-16 education as well, do we in Wales need to consider a similar mechanism in order to prepare pupils for the transition between schools and FE?

Well, 'Successful Futures' doesn't specifically mention post-16 learners, but I do take the point that, actually, it is important that there is a relationship and people understand the continuity that is necessary between school and further education. So, what we've asked is we've asked Colegau Cymru to come up with a set of recommendations in terms of what FE can do in terms of developing the new curriculum, but I think the other point is that we do need to make sure that children in school are aware of all the opportunities available to them and that the academic route is not necessarily right for everyone, and we need to make sure that perhaps we have a more objective possibility within schools in terms of allowing individuals—making it individual-centred rather than a system where there is an encouragement to stay on, necessarily, in school, which is not right for every pupil at sixth form.

Thank you to the Minister and the Cabinet Secretary.