As we undertake reform, it's clear that we are in a different place to the one that we imagined when the guidance for the Curriculum for Wales was published 18 months ago. On the one hand, I recognise that the preparation time for the curriculum will have been devoted to managing the impact of the pandemic over the past year. On the other hand, with an even stronger focus on well-being and significant investment in teaching and learning, the values underpinning the curriculum have been at the heart of how schools have been working. I'm committed to supporting schools and settings to maintain the momentum. At the same time, I recognise the need for clear expectations and more space and support to implement a high-quality curriculum for all learners. 

In light of the pandemic, I've decided to refresh the document titled 'Curriculum for Wales: the journey to 2022', which sets out the expectations on schools to reform the curriculum. I want to ensure that it is clear, simple and focused on the how of curriculum reform, including the importance of high-quality teaching. I am also committed to ensuring that our expectations recognise the current context, recognising that many will have very different starting points. It will be a comprehensive document for schools and settings. We are working collaboratively with partners to develop this, and the document will be published by the beginning of the autumn term. 

Last month, I announced a series of measures to ease pressures for practitioners, creating additional space to support learners. That included suspending performance measures, pausing schools categorisation, and Estyn's suspension of their core inspection programme into the autumn term.

Today, I am announcing that I propose to remove the requirement for practitioners to undertake assessments at the end of foundation phase and at the end of key stages, in the 2021-22 academic year, for year groups that will be transitioning to the new curriculum in September next year. It is only in primary schools that this will apply. I believe that, by removing these requirements a year early, it will help to create more space for practitioners to prepare their curriculum for teaching next year. It will also provide a greater focus on the progression of individual learners and on improving teaching for the new curriculum. Baseline assessments and personalised assessments will remain in place, to provide confidence in learners' progress among practitioners, learners and parents.

We will launch a national network for curriculum implementation in the autumn. This will be a practitioner-led body. It will be open to all schools, funded by the Welsh Government, and it will be a key vehicle in supporting the implementation of our new curriculum. Practitioners, experts and wider stakeholders will work together to sustain and expand development at all levels and to tackle barriers to implementation. It will be a key forum where practitioners can learn from one another on important issues in curriculum development, developing approaches to designing the curriculum jointly.

I am also announcing £7.24 million in additional funding for this financial year directly to schools, to support them as they reform the curriculum. This will support engagement with key issues around implementation, including through the national network. Supplementing this will be clear guidance on how schools can spend this funding.

Through my discussions with the sector, it is clear that there is still a strong desire for reform. I am determined to build upon the emphasis on well-being and flexibility shown over the past year. That will be closely aligned with the work of introducing of our new curriculum. Therefore, I confirm today that the Curriculum for Wales will continue to be implemented in primary schools, maintained nursery schools and non-maintained nursery settings from September 2022. I would like to confirm that we see a continued learning journey from 2022 onwards, and we will continue to support schools to develop and improve their curricula.

I recognise that secondary schools have faced specific challenges, such as managing qualifications, which, in some instances, have affected their readiness for curriculum delivery. I understand these concerns, and I've decided to provide some additional flexibility for schools where they judge that they need that. In 2022, schools that are ready to roll out the curriculum to year 7 will be able to press ahead with that. However, formal implementation of the new curriculum will not be mandatory until 2023, with roll-out in that year to years 7 and 8 together. In education other than at school, including pupil referral units, the new curriculum will be mandatory for learners of primary school age in September 2022. It will be mandatory for learners in year 7 and year 8 from September 2023. This will also be the case in special schools and schools for three to 16-year-olds.

I would encourage secondary schools who are able to proceed with their current plans in 2022 to take those plans forward, supported by their regional consortia. The 'What we inspect' framework from Estyn will support this flexibility. Estyn will be encouraging progress along the journey of curriculum reform for secondary schools.

Some secondary schools will choose to continue their path towards curriculum reform from 2022 onwards, although in 2023 it will become mandatory for years 7 and 8 together. I am pleased to be able to offer this flexibility and anticipate that the work of reforming the curriculum will continue, particularly direct engagement between secondary and primary schools from now on and into 2022 to support learner transition. 

Beyond 2023, the Curriculum for Wales will be rolled out on a year-by-year basis, and the first qualifications designed specifically for the Curriculum for Wales will be awarded in the 2026-27 academic year, as planned. 

The reform of qualifications will play a fundamental role in the success of our curriculum. The exciting ambition that underpins our curriculum must be matched by our qualifications system. The flexibility for secondary schools in 2022 will provide space for the sector to work with Qualifications Wales over the coming year to help shape a set of qualifications of the highest quality that are aligned with the philosophies of the new curriculum, and to capitalise on emerging opportunities around assessment methods. 

As I listen to the profession, I remain confident that we're doing the right thing by proceeding with our reforms. We have a rare opportunity to revolutionise the quality of our opportunities for our children and young people. It's critical that we focus on curriculum reform, and that we get things right.