More support to help schools in Wales with curriculum reform

Schools in Wales are to get additional support to enable the introduction of the new Curriculum for Wales to continue and to rollout in primary schools and non-maintained nursery settings from September 2022.

Recognising specific challenges faced by secondary schools, including managing a new system of assessment and supporting qualifications during the pandemic, the Minister announced that secondary schools would have the option to continue with their existing plans to start in 2022 with Year 7 or start in 2023 with Years 7 and 8 together.

Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Jeremy Miles also confirmed the establishment of a National Network - a practioner-led body, open to all schools, that will support implementation of the new curriculum.

There will also be £7.24m for schools to support their curriculum reform plans, including engagement with the National Network, and the removal of the requirement to undertake end of foundation phase and end of key stage assessments, in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, for year groups that will be transitioning to the new curriculum in September 2022.

There will also be an update of the ‘Curriculum for Wales: The journey to 2022’ document, recognising the current context and the different points many will be starting from. It will provide a comprehensive one-stop-shop for schools and settings.

Jeremy Miles said: "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 have taken the decision to provide some additional flexibility for schools where they judge that they need it. In 2022, schools which are ready to rollout the curriculum to Year 7 may do so, but this will not be mandatory until 2023, with rollout to Years 7 and 8 together.

"I would encourage secondary schools who are able to implement their new curricula in Year 7 from 2022 to move forward with their plans, supported by their regional consortia. Estyn’s recently published “What We Inspect” framework will enable this flexibility for providers and Estyn will be encouraging progress along the curriculum reform journey for secondary schools.

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

Beyond 2023, roll out of the Curriculum for Wales will follow on a year by year basis, and the first qualifications designed specifically for Curriculum for Wales will be awarded in the 2026 to 2027 academic year as planned.