Education

Welsh curriculum due for complete overhaul

Published

11 years ago

March 12, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Change in curriculum?: A new era of education.

A YEAR long review was published this week that will dramatically change the whole of the Welsh education system.

Prof Graham Donaldson, of Glasgow University, was tasked with the job of leading a wide-ranging review by the Welsh Government, the results of which call for a radical overhaul of Wales’ currently under performing schools’ programme.

At the top of the list of changes is the scrapping of the four key stages which he says has led to a disconnect for pupils and teachers alike, who he claims are seeing education as a series of blocks rather than one journey. He has called for the Literacy Numeracy Framework to continue, but would also introduce a new third cross-curricular subject, Digital Competence, to develop computer sciences amongst pupils. He also wants testing to be changed, suggesting pupils be tested less often, saying, ‘Testing can be an important learning tool and if I’d have to choose between accountability and learning, I’d go with learning every time.’ He also calls for schools to be able to interpret this new curriculum and tailor teaching to their own needs.

He proposes 6 areas of learning, as follows:

Expressive arts: drama, art, design
Health and well being: including tackling obesity, relationships and sex education
Humanities: history, geography, politics, RE and spirituality
Maths and numeracy
Science and technology
Languages, literacy and communication: including a greater emphasis on Welsh, which is to be seen as a modern way to communicate

NUT Wales Secretary, David Evans, said of the report: “It is extremely positive to have seen a review of this nature actively seek to understand the views of the teaching profession and allow those teachers to have a sense of ownership of what is recommended in the final report. It is absolutely critical now that what Professor Donaldson has set in motion is implemented fully in conjunction with the profession.”

Dr. Philip Dixon, Director of ATL Cymru, stated: “The Report challenges us all to take a step back and think deeply about why, what and how our children learn. Many of Donaldson’s recommendations, especially those around the proper place of testing, the true purpose of assessment, the promotion of creativity, and the need for breadth in the curriculum will be very welcome to the profession.”

Mid and West AM Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Education Minister Simon Thomas said: “We welcome Donaldson’s recommendation for a more agile and flexible curriculum that sets out objectives rather than overly-prescribing content. We have called for more freedom for teachers to be flexible and to challenge pupils in the classroom. We have long called for digital literacy to be given equal status to literacy and numeracy and for pupils to learn how to create as well as use technology.”

Welsh Assembly Education Minster, Huw Lewis said: “Professor Donaldson sets out a compelling, exciting and ambitious vision for a new curriculum in Wales. The scope and scale of the changes he envisages are both fundamental and wide ranging and will take time to create and secure. What we do know is that the sustained and active participation of educational practitioners and the wider community will be essential to building this new curriculum. Both Professor Donaldson and I are committed to ensuring that Wales’ new curriculum is one that is fit for the 21st century and one that is built by all of us.”

Professor Graham Donaldson said: “This report is called ‘Successful Futures’ because it signals the vital importance of schools to the future success of every child and young person in Wales. It is about better learning and higher standards; better learning because it draws on evidence from Wales and beyond to focus on what really matters in a modern school curriculum. Higher standards because it sets high expectations for learning and provides ways in which schools and teachers can help young people to meet, and often exceed, those expectations.”

Education

Sam Kurtz quizzed by primary school pupils about how was is governed

Published

13 minutes ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUPILS at St Oswald’s VA Primary School welcomed a visit from local Senedd member Samuel Kurtz on Monday (Feb 2), as children put questions to him about how Wales is governed.

Years five and six pupils took part in an interactive session where the Senedd Cymru member explained the role of the Welsh Parliament, how laws are made, and how elected representatives support local residents.

He outlined what a Member of the Senedd does day-to-day, how decisions affecting communities are taken, and why taking part in democracy is important.

The pupils were then given the chance to quiz him directly, raising questions about politics, local issues and how young people can make their voices heard. Staff said the children showed strong interest and came well prepared.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Kurtz said: “It was a real pleasure to visit St Oswald’s and see such enthusiasm and curiosity from the pupils.

“Understanding how democracy works and how decisions are made is important, and it is encouraging to see young people taking an interest in how their community and country are run.

“I was particularly impressed by the quality of the questions, which showed they had clearly done their research.”

Teachers described the visit as a valuable opportunity to bring lessons about citizenship and Welsh democracy to life.

The school visit forms part of Mr Kurtz’s ongoing programme of meeting with schools, community groups and residents across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

Education

Second west Wales school placed in lockdown within days

Published

16 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Precautionary measures activated at Ysgol Brynteg after morning disturbance outside gates

CARMARTHENSHIRE pupils were kept inside classrooms after a precautionary lockdown was triggered at Ysgol Brynteg on Friday morning (Feb 6), marking the second west Wales secondary school to enter lockdown in the same week.

Police were called shortly after 9:00am following reports of a verbal altercation outside the school grounds.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and the Llanelli school activated its safeguarding procedures while the situation was assessed.

No weapons were reported, no injuries have been confirmed and there have been no arrests at this stage. The incident is understood to have involved a dispute outside the site rather than inside the school itself.

Pupils remained indoors under staff supervision while officers made checks. Once police were satisfied there was no ongoing risk, the lockdown was lifted and lessons continued as normal.

A spokesperson said the measure was purely precautionary.

The incident comes just days after armed officers were deployed to Milford Haven School following a serious assault on a teacher, prompting a temporary closure and widespread concern among parents.

While the circumstances in Llanelli were far less severe, the two events occurring so close together have heightened anxiety among families across west Wales.

Schools routinely use lockdown procedures when there is any uncertainty or potential threat nearby, even if the risk later proves minimal. The approach is designed to err on the side of caution and protect pupils while emergency services investigate.

Parents were informed that Brynteg was safe and operating normally once the situation had been resolved.

There is currently no indication that pupils inside the school were directly involved in the disturbance.

The Herald understands enquiries are ongoing.

Both incidents underline how quickly everyday school days can be disrupted, and how safeguarding responses are increasingly becoming part of standard practice across Welsh schools.

Anyone with information about the Llanelli incident is asked to contact police.

Crime

Teacher discharged as Milford School to reopen Monday after serious assault

Published

19 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Deputy head praises ‘calm and professional’ staff and pupils during lockdown

A TEACHER injured in a serious incident at Milford Haven Comprehensive School has been discharged from hospital as the school confirmed it will reopen on Monday with extra support in place.

A 15-year-old boy remains in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the alleged assault at around 3:20pm on Thursday (Feb 5).

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the school after reports that a pupil had assaulted a member of staff while brandishing a weapon. The site was placed into immediate lockdown, with all pupils later sent home safely.

In a fresh statement issued late on Friday afternoon, school leaders and the council thanked staff, pupils and emergency services for their response.

Deputy headteacher Daryl John said: “On behalf of the school staff and governors, I would like to thank and praise all of the staff and the small number of pupils who remained on site. They all conducted themselves with professionalism and were calm throughout.

“We are extremely grateful to the emergency services for their rapid and effective response. Our heartfelt best wishes go out to our colleague, and we look forward to their full and speedy recovery.”

Jon Harvey, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said he was pleased the school would reopen next week.

He added: “If there are any pupils who have been affected by the incident and require additional support, please ask teachers or staff who will be able to help with well-being provision.

“Lockdowns such as that implemented on Thursday afternoon are routinely rehearsed by schools so that on the very rare occasions where they are needed, everyone knows what to do.

“As a Local Authority we will of course continue to support Milford Haven School in whatever way possible following this awful incident.”

Earlier, the council and Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed specialist support would be available for staff and learners, and advised anyone needing urgent mental health help to call NHS 111 and press option two.

Local MP Henry Tufnell and teaching unions including NASUWT and National Education Union have also expressed concern and support for the school community.