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Education

Sex and relationships education ‘inadequate’

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SRE: 'Should be a statutory requirement'

SRE: ‘Should be a statutory requirement’

TEACHERS have reported serious concerns about the reality of school-level commitment to LGBTI equality at the largest gathering of LGBTI teachers, organised by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK.

86% of teachers at the NASUWT’s LGBT Teachers’ Consultation Conference said they do not think the Government is doing enough to communicate the importance of LGBTI equality to schools and colleges

Only 7% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) teachers say their school or college provides training to staff to identify and deal with incidents of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

56% said their school was not committed to LGBTI equality for staff and pupils.

A real-time electronic poll of members attending the Conference found that:

A third said their school or college was not a safe space for LGBTI teachers;

More than four in ten (43%) say they have experienced some form of discrimination, bullying or harassment because of their LGBTI identity during the last year;

Only 4% said their school has a programme of activities to mark LGBT History Month;

85% do not think schools and colleges are being held to account sufficiently in relation to LGBTI equality.

To support schools in ensuring they are inclusive spaces for all staff and pupils, the NASUWT has today launched new guidance on trans-awareness.

Equality for Trans Teachers is aimed at schools, colleges and employers and sets out the legal responsibilities on employers and also provides advice and guidance on the steps schools should take to support people transitioning in the workplace.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, who addressed the Conference, said: “It is scandalous that in the 21st century teachers are still reporting that homophobia is still an issue for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex pupils and staff and that many LGBTI teachers do not feel safe in their schools .

“Despite assertions to the contrary, the Government has rolled back the progress made over decades on equality and we see the adverse impact this is having on teachers and pupils in our schools.

“All schools must demonstrate a commitment to creating a climate where all staff and pupils feel respected and safe.”

On the other hand, education regarding LGBTI issues for children in Wales’s schools is haphazard and very much left to individual schools to deliver. Parents retain the power to prevent schools from delivering sex education to their own children.

In England, even the more limited Personal and Social Education (PSE) is not compulsory.

The 124 page Donaldson report on Wales’s education system barely mentions either SRE or (PSE), with which the delivery of which SRE is occasionally synonymous. In 124 pages SRE is mentioned not at all, PSE on four occasions in passing and sex education on three occasions.

The Welsh Government, which imposes PSE as a statutory obligation has avoided compulsory SRE in schools.

Cadan ap Tomos, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Cardiff West, has described Welsh Sex and Relationships Education as ‘woefully inadequate’.

Reflecting on his own relatively recent experiences of the Welsh education system, Cadan ap Tomos told the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference that attitudes towards sex and sexuality were still stuck in the past and did not acknowledge the realities of life in a modern nation.

Speaking candidly of his own experiences, Cadan ap Tomos said: “At no point during my education was the message hammered home that being anything but straight was perfectly normal.

“My school’s sex education curriculum barely dealt with the issue of sexuality – a single session on “homophobia” in year 10 was deemed adequate. But by that point, most young people will already be confused and worried about who they are.”

Cadan ap Tomos reflected wider concerns about the paucity of SRE advice given to Welsh students. Saying that the education he received did not deal properly with either the issue of sexual consent or health relationships, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Cardiff West observed: “There’s no wonder that a number of my peers to this day continue to have deeply unpleasant attitudes towards women.

“Every single child in Wales needs good quality, age-appropriate sex and relationships education. The attitude of your parents, or even the sort of school you attend, should not stop you from being given the best opportunity to be comfortable with who you are.”

NUT Wales Policy Officer, Owen Hathway, said: “Sex and Relationships Education should be a statutory requirement for all children, whatever their background. The importance of relationships should be taught at an early enough age to ensure children have respect for their bodies.

“What teachers need is the flexibility in schools to vary what they teach according to the needs of parents and children in their individual school communities.”

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Education

Welsh Conservatives trigger debate on school catchment areas

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CALL-IN OVER CABINET DECISION

WELSH CONSERVATIVE councillors Aled Thomas and Claire George have triggered an additional debate on school catchment areas for Johnston, Neyland, and Tiers Cross after calling in a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.

The Cabinet recently decided to maintain the current school catchment areas, despite significant community opposition. The call-in was supported by the entire Welsh Conservative group on the council.

Cllr Aled Thomas, who represents Johnston, said: “Thanks to the support of my fellow Pembrokeshire Conservative councillors, we have been able to continue discussions on this important matter, while the current administration is only concerned with kicking it into the long grass.

“Strong and safe education is the silver bullet in ensuring our next generation thrives, both at school age and beyond. Boundary changes were forced on Johnston’s residents against their will, and I will do everything I can to fight for their best interests.”

Cllr Claire George, who represents St Ishmaels, added: “It is a fundamental principle of education that children should feel safe and develop their independence, which means access to appropriate school transport—something that is not workable under the current catchment area arrangements for my ward.

“We must ensure that our children can travel to and from the school of their choice confidently and safely, giving them the opportunity to flourish in their education.”

An extraordinary Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be convened by the end of February to review the matter further.

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Education

Haverfordwest pupils learn lifesaving skills with St John Ambulance Cymru

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MORE than 1,300 school pupils recently received defibrillator and CPR demonstrations with St John Ambulance Cymru trainers as part of the charity’s Defibruary campaign launch.

Pupils in years 7-11 at Haverfordwest High VC School in Pembrokeshire received key information about the annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of these vital lifesaving skills and the importance of early intervention when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest.

The first aid charity for Wales is organising a range of events during February to help raise awareness of the importance of defibrillator and CPR skills, as a person’s chances of survival are reduced by 10% for every passing minute without action following a cardiac arrest.

The campaign will also be urging people to learn where the nearest defibrillator to them is located via The Circuit and ensure any they are responsible for are registered, so that emergency services can direct people to the nearest one in an emergency.

St John Ambulance Head of Response Operations, Darren Murray said: “It was a fantastic way to launch our annual Defibruary campaign and the pupils were keen to get hands-on and have a go at putting these skills to work in our demonstration sessions.

“As your chances of surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest are just 5% in Wales, we are determined to help improve that by sharing these lifesaving skills and helping people be more prepared to act quickly in an emergency.

“We would like to thank the school for welcoming our team and helping us to share these important messages with the students, who will hopefully be more comfortable to act if they find themselves in an emergency situation in future.”

The Defibruary campaign is run because of people like Janice. A decade ago, Janice John suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Fortunately, her husband Keith knew how to administer CPR and put these skills to work until an ambulance crew arrived with a defibrillator.

Janice and Keith had both completed first aid training as they were St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers and volunteer first responders, but they never expected these skills would be needed so close to home.

Fast forward ten years and Janice is still an active St John Ambulance Cymru volunteer and also works to help others with the charity’s Welfare and Falls Rapid Response Service in the Pembrokeshire area, run in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Janice, who has since purchased a defibrillator just in case something like this should happen at home again, said: “It’s so important to learn these basic first aid skills and it’s vital to administer first aid as soon as possible to give people a better chance of survival.”

The event at Haverfordwest High is just one of the free first aid demonstrations in schools and community groups delivered as part of St John Ambulance Cymru’s partnership with EcoFlow, a global company, specialising in portable power products, solar technology and smart home energy solutions.

To find out more about St John Ambulance’s Defibruary campaign and learn how you can get involved, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/defibruary.

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Education

Apprenticeship Week Wales: Free advice for people in Pembrokeshire

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AS APPRENTICESHIP WEEK WALES unfolds, Careers Wales is highlighting the support available to help people explore the different opportunities available to them. 

Apprenticeships are one of many routes individuals can take to develop skills, gain qualifications, and build experience in the workplace.

They offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn, gaining recognised qualifications and valuable hands-on experience.

Mature adult and young adult recycling coworkers wearing orange reflective vests standing in warehouse and discussing over clipboard.

In 2022-23, Wales saw significant engagement in apprenticeship programmes. Data gathered from the Medr Apprenticeship Learning Dashboard

shows that during that year, 22,880 apprenticeship learning programmes were started in Wales.  This was an increase of 14% from the previous year (202122).*

25% of these were in South West Wales, with 5,650  apprenticeships started. 1,045 people took up apprenticeships during the year in Pembrokeshire alone.

With opportunities in 23 diverse sectors, from creative industries to green skills, there’s something for everyone. The top 5 apprenticeship learning programmes in 2022/23 in Wales were:

  1. Healthcare and Public Services
  2. Management and Professional
  3. Construction
  4. Business Administration
  5. Engineering*

Apprenticeships are not only suitable for young people. Over 70% of apprenticeships taken up in Wales in 2022-23 were by people over 19 years old. Over 4,500 (or 20%) of apprenticeships that started in 2022-23 were taken up by people aged 40 and over.*

Nikki Lawrence, chief executive of Careers Wales said: “Apprenticeship Week Wales is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships, and the value they bring to learners, employers, and the wider Welsh economy.

“Apprenticeships provide a pathway for people to gain qualifications while working and earning a wage, and can be a valuable route for those looking to develop their skills.

“Our careers advisers can provide tailored support for people of all ages with exploring apprenticeships, as well as the full range of alternative options available to them.”

For those interested in exploring apprenticeship opportunities in Wales, resources are available, including the apprenticeship finder on the Careers Wales website, to assist in finding and applying for positions.

You can read more about the free services provided by Careers Wales and Working Wales, call 0800 028 4844 or email [email protected].

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