Working with stakeholders from the education, creative and public sectors has been, and will continue to be, fundamental to the provision of educational resources and supporting materials that are made in Wales.

A national network conversation was held in 2021, with a focus on practitioners. That resulted in teachers in Wales co-constructing the resources guide that was published by us last July. That guide forms the starting point for Adnodd’s work. It sets out key principles for resource development. The development and availability of resources should reflect the needs of schools and settings as part of their work in designing and developing the curriculum. Therefore, engaging with practitioners from across Wales is an essential component in developing resources that are made in Wales. That engagement also extends to external stakeholder organisations and expert input. The process should also involve learners, to ensure the resources are appropriate and engaging.

It is also essential that Adnodd provides a platform to engage learners and practitioners in how to make best use of resources. Adnodd will provide that space for promotion and engagement, to ensure that the experience of using the resources is positive and productive for all.

Adnodd will be that go-to service that is easily recognisable and that facilitates co-construction between practitioners and other stakeholders to create resources of quality, which are consistent with the principles of the Curriculum for Wales and that have a clear learning rationale. I am clear that we must continue to ensure that the resulting resources are available through the Hwb platform, so that schools and settings have that clear and unique space to go to for resources that are appropriate, high quality and made in Wales.

I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Owain Gethin Davies as the interim chair of Adnodd's board. As headteacher of Ysgol Uwchradd Dyffryn Conwy, he is an experienced leader in the field of education, with a background in curriculum development, Welsh language strategic planning, inspection and leadership development. I'm confident that his experience and expertise will enable him to establish a national body that will understand and meet the needs of practitioners.

I have also appointed five non-executive members to the board—Huw Lloyd Jones, Nicola Wood, Sioned Wyn Roberts, Dr Lucy Thomas and Lesley Bush. These individuals bring a range of skills and experience to the table, including governance, legal, audit and risk, commissioning content and publishing, as well as educational and additional educational needs experience and expertise. We will be looking for two more board members in the next six months, specifically to ensure that we have representation from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities. The board will consult with representatives from these communities in the meantime, to ensure that full consideration of black, Asian and ethnic minority voices are embedded in its work from the outset. 

Work will be ongoing in the coming months to build the connections, systems and foundations necessary for the company to be able to operate efficiently. In its first year, I want Adnodd to engage with stakeholders to seek their views and get feedback on what resources are needed, the best and most inclusive method of commissioning resources, how to work together to develop resources, and what a quality-assurance process should look like.

There is a vast variety of resources out there, and practitioners need to know that the resources that they're investing their time in, and what we are investing finite public resources in, are materials that are evidence based, that are proven to work and that reflect the principles and rationale of the Curriculum for Wales. That is why I'll be asking Adnodd to develop a quality assurance framework.

In future, Adnodd will also develop and invest in skills and capacity to create, share and publish educational resources in Wales. Working with the national network, for example, there will be opportunities to share expertise and experience and to develop the capacity of schools and practitioners in creating resources that support their local curriculum.

Over £4 million is set aside annually for Welsh and bilingual educational resources and supporting materials. A transition plan will ensure a seamless transfer to Adnodd, ensuring that there are no gaps in commissioning, and providing space for Adnodd to develop a model that is truly made in Wales for Wales.

I'm committed to Adnodd's vision and I'm proud to be a key partner as it embarks on this exciting journey. I am confident that this approach will make a difference and that Adnodd will be an important component of the success of the Curriculum for Wales as it's rolled out. I will of course keep Members updated on developments as part of my annual report on curriculum reform. 

I look forward to working with Owain Gethin and the board members to realise this ambition to support the education system in Wales.