COVID-19 has had a massive impact on our education system, and our priority is to continue to provide the best for education services. Welsh Government has responded by providing an overarching single fund to support local authorities dealing with the impacts, providing financial assistance for additional costs incurred in dealing with the pandemic.

In the October update to ‘Our national mission’, Welsh Government’s plan to deliver our new curriculum, we reiterated the importance of an evaluation, improvement and accountability system that is aligned to the principles of the Curriculum for Wales.

The operational guidance sets out the mitigating measures schools and settings should take. In responding to the latest SAGE and TAG report, I have strengthened the mitigating measures. All learners and staff in secondary schools and colleges should now wear face coverings everywhere outside of the classroom, including on school transport.

Evidence from a range of sources—OECD, Estyn, the Sutton Trust—including those focusing on Wales, suggests most learners have been affected, with the most vulnerable most affected by the pandemic. In response, through our Accelerating Learning Programme, we are providing an additional £29 million to schools to support learners.

Welsh Government has provided Pembrokeshire local authority with a £562,788 grant to recruit, recover and raise standards. This will help Pembrokeshire schools provide extra support at years 11, 12 and 13, as well as for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners of all ages.