The Welsh Government contributes to sharing best practice through initiatives such as the national networks of excellence and the National Academy for Education Leadership. We work with partners such as local authorities, regional consortia, Estyn and schools to build a self-improving education system as described in ‘Our national mission’.

Aled Roberts was appointed in February 2018 to take forward the recommendations of the rapid review of Welsh in education strategic plans. An advisory board has been established to support this work and met for the first time on 17 May 2018.

The foundation phase is the bedrock of our education system. We intend to build on the strengths of the foundation phase in developing the new curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales.

In line with my ambitions set out in the national mission and the four core purposes of the new curriculum, school international links are important to develop our young people into global citizens. There is a raft of activity under way, including the Connecting Classrooms programme.

I want all young people to have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 provide the minimum requirements for 'team game playing fields' that must be provided for schools for pupils who are eight years old and above.

The school admissions code imposes requirements on local authorities and admission authorities regarding the discharge of their duties in respect of school admissions. We plan to review the code in the autumn term.