Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:25 pm on 23 March 2021.
I think future generations will have a great deal to thank this Minister for. The reforms that she has made in five years will stand the test of time. By laying these regulations and this code today, she will also make sure that no child is left behind, and that is an extraordinary record of a single parliamentary term.
When we introduced the legislation back in 2016, there was clear ambition—clear ambition—to ensure that our education system catered for everybody, whatever their needs, whatever their requirements, and that education was open to all and that all had the same opportunity to fulfil their potential. The legislation laid down the basis of this system, and this code delivers it. I'm very proud to have played my part in taking some of this legislation through. It's worth noting, at this final stage of this process, that the Minister in place today stood and worked hard with me and alongside me in doing so. We had the full support of her office in every step that we took and in every debate and discussion that we had, and it's worth reflecting, as we, I hope, all join together to vote for this code today, that this is putting some learners who have to face and overcome some of the greatest possible difficulties in learning at the centre of what we do and what we achieve. The code has not been invented in Cathays Park but has been created by the conversations up and down Wales with people who deliver education and not simply talk about it, with parents and with learners, talking together, listening together and learning together. I saw and I took part in some of those conversations, and I've also seen how the Minister today has driven this process through with the same determination and the same foresight as we've seen on other matters.
So, I will be very proud to support this code this afternoon, very proud to vote for this legislation, very proud to vote to put learners who have additional learning needs at the centre of our journey, and very proud, also, to put on record my own thanks and gratitude to the Minister for making this happen.