The plan will involve up to 40 schools, and will focus on raising the quality of teaching through sharing expertise with successful schools.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "If we’re to raise standards and performance in education in Wales across the board we need to boost attainment levels of schools which are underperforming and we know could do better. The significant funding we’ve announced today is going to make a huge difference to those schools chosen to take on Schools Challenge Cymru."
The measure, added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, delivers on the commitment made in the government’s manifesto to bring multi academy trusts into the inspection system.
Education Business LIVE has announced that Professor Samantha Twiselton OBE of Sheffield Hallam University will speak at the event in March 2026, delivering two thought-provoking sessions focused on initial teacher training and SEND provision.
Solve for Tomorrow is a free, curriculum-linked programme which is mapped to Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, and 6, helping teachers embed careers education without adding to workload.
London's universal free school meals programme has not led to improvements in pupil attainment during its first year, but has eased financial pressure and reduced stress for families.