WELSH politicians must abandon costly “vanity projects” such as changing the school year and instead help schools focus on the basics of teaching and learning, according to the school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru.

The call comes as the union launches its 2026 election manifesto at its annual conference in Cardiff today (Apr 2).

NAHT Cymru says it is giving parties early notice ahead of next year’s Senedd elections, urging them to listen to the needs of financially-stricken schools that are struggling to deliver for pupils amid rising pressures.

The manifesto sets out the key challenges facing Welsh schools and outlines what political parties must do to support teachers, school leaders and learners.

Laura Doel, the union’s Wales national secretary, and general secretary Paul Whiteman are addressing delegates at the Cornerstone venue in Cardiff. Other confirmed speakers include Education Secretary Lynne Neagle and Estyn Chief Inspector Owen Evans.

Ms Doel said: “We are urging politicians to get back to basics and help schools focus on what matters – teaching children and young people and preparing them for adulthood.

“At a time when many schools are struggling to make core budgets add up, they have increasingly been left to pick up the slack for under-resourced community services, supporting pupils facing issues from poverty to mental ill-health.

“Too much government time and energy has been wasted on vanity projects like toying with changes to the school year. Our message is clear – don’t overload schools with new initiatives unless you’re providing the support they need to do the basics well.”

A recent NAHT Cymru survey revealed that more than half of school leaders (53%) are predicting a budget deficit this academic year, with many being forced to cut essential services and staff, including teachers.

Key demands in the manifesto include:

• Fair funding: Address the findings of the Welsh Government’s 2025 funding review, end the postcode lottery in school funding, and restore financial support for small and rural schools.
• Recruitment and retention: Restore teacher and leader pay to 2010 levels after real-terms cuts and fully fund pay rises so schools can afford them.
• Wraparound services: Support local authorities to rebuild vital services such as social care and mental health, ensuring schools are not left to fill the gap alone.
• Mental health: Invest in mental health support teams, school-based counselling, and creative therapies in all education settings.
• Additional Learning Needs (ALN): Properly resource schools to meet the ALN Code or revise the code to reflect what is realistically achievable, and ensure ALN coordinators receive appropriate recognition and pay, as recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body.
• Workload reduction: Honour agreements made with unions to reduce staff workload and assess the impact of any new policies on staff pressures.

NAHT Cymru’s newly appointed president, Dafydd Jones, head teacher at Ysgol Melyd in Prestatyn, said: “Teachers and school leaders do not have sufficient funding, resources or support to focus on what matters most – teaching and supporting pupils.

“It’s time to trust the professionals, allow reforms time to bed in, and give schools the resources they need to thrive – not more political tinkering.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, added: “Our school leaders in Wales and their teams are dedicated professionals who care deeply about providing the best education possible.

“But it often feels like they’re being asked to do it with one hand tied behind their backs. Their resilience is remarkable, but it’s becoming harder to sustain. We need a clear commitment from all political parties to properly fund and support schools.

LOUISE DAVIES, aged 49, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates this week and admitted to multiple thefts from shops in the town.

On December 17, 2024, Davies stole seven bottles of Famous Grouse whisky worth £164.50 from Tesco in Pembroke Dock. On the same day, she also took ten legs of lamb and a gammon joint worth £292.38. She indicated guilty pleas and was convicted on March 18. She was sentenced to a community order with 120 hours of unpaid work, exclusion from Aldi stores for 12 months, and ordered to pay full compensation for both thefts.

Davies also admitted stealing items worth £63.95 from Aldi on July 2, 2024, and £61.96 from the same store on August 8, 2024. Both offences were dealt with on March 27. She received the same community order and unpaid work requirement, along with exclusion from all Aldi stores and further compensation payments.

Two further charges, where Davies was jointly accused with co-defendant John Ashby, were dismissed after no evidence was offered. These included alleged thefts from Aldi on July 4 and January 20.

JOHN ASHBY, aged 37, of no fixed abode in Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates this week accused of a series of shop thefts in the town.

On Monday, January 20, Ashby stole dried logs worth £96 from Tesco in Pembroke Dock. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on Thursday (Mar 27). He was fined £54 and ordered to pay £93.20 in compensation.

Ashby also admitted to stealing items worth £60 from Aldi on Thursday, July 4, 2024. He changed his plea to guilty and was again fined £54 and ordered to pay £60 compensation.

Two other theft charges—one relating to £63.95 worth of items taken from Aldi on July 2, 2024, and another for £61.96 on August 8, 2024—were dismissed after no evidence was offered. Both incidents were said to involve a co-defendant, Louise Davies.