SCHOOL leaders have accused the Welsh Government of missing a major opportunity to support children with additional learning needs after ministers declined to ring-fence more than £500 million for ALN provision.

NAHT Cymru said more than 5,000 letters were sent to ministers in less than a week urging them to protect funding linked to increased Special Educational Needs and Disabilities spending in England.

The union said the money amounts to £322 million in 2026-27 and a further £197 million recurrently from 2028-29.

However, the Welsh Government has not agreed to allocate the full amount specifically to ALN, instead choosing to distribute resources across a range of priorities in its supplementary budget.

Funding pressure

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, said the decision would disappoint schools already struggling with rising demand for support.

Laura Doel, National Secretary of NAHT Cymru, said: “We recognise the very real challenges facing Welsh Government and the difficult decisions ministers must make when allocating funding across public services.

“However, school leaders across Wales will be extremely disappointed that this funding has not been directed specifically to Additional Learning Needs provision, particularly given the scale of demand and the pressures currently facing schools and local authorities.

“The response over the past week has been remarkable. More than 5,000 people took the time to write directly to ministers to highlight the importance of this investment.”

The union said demand for ALN support had increased significantly in recent years, with costs more than doubling over the last decade.

It warned that without further investment, schools could face further pressure on staffing, including teachers and teaching assistants who deliver support to pupils.

Welsh Government position

The issue centres on consequential funding received by Wales following spending decisions in England.

While NAHT Cymru argues the money arose from SEND spending and should therefore be used for ALN in Wales, Welsh ministers are not required to spend Barnett consequential funding in the same policy area.

The union had called for the full funding to be allocated to ALN, passed to local authorities and schools, and ring-fenced so it could not be diverted to other areas.

Those calls have not been met.

Ms Doel added: “If education is a key priority for this government, it needs to demonstrate it through action not just warm words.”

SCHOOLS across Wales are to receive statutory guidance on restricting pupils’ mobile phone use during the school day, the Welsh Government has announced.

The move follows a consultation and a workforce survey which found strong support for national direction on the issue.

Although most schools already have mobile phone policies, the survey found there was no consistent approach across Wales. It also found that 82% of respondents supported statutory restrictions.

The new guidance for local authorities and schools will set out clearer expectations on how phones should be used during the school day. It will be evaluated over the school year, with ministers leaving open the option of strengthening the rules further if required.

Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Anna Brychan said: “Our 100-day plan was clear that we would act, and I have listened to the calls for stronger clarity on this issue.

“This is why the government will publish statutory guidance to provide clear national expectations on how mobile phones are used in schools.

“I want to be clear: as Cabinet Minister, I fully support — and strongly encourage — headteachers to introduce clear and robust restrictions on mobile phone use during the school day, up to and including a full restriction across the school site.

“I am mindful some children will always need exceptions, for medical reasons for example.

“By consulting on guidance at the start of the school year I am giving schools the clarity they want quickly, and creating a safer learning environment by reducing distractions now.”

The Welsh Government said it would also consider the implications of UK Government plans for new restrictions on under-16s’ access to social media.

Ms Brychan said ministers were committed to protecting young people online and would work with school leaders and partners across the education system in Wales as the proposals develop.

The announcement came as the Education Minister set out wider priorities for the sector, including raising standards, strengthening Welsh language provision, improving skills and creating what she described as a system that works for everyone.

The Welsh Government said it would develop a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan before the end of the summer and review the curriculum.

Other priorities include reducing workload for education staff, expanding Welsh-medium education, ensuring learners have more opportunities to use Welsh beyond the classroom, and reviewing how universities are funded.

Ms Brychan added: “Education is the key to unleashing our nation’s potential and there is no shortage of talent, energy and innovation in Wales.

“If we want to unlock this potential and build a stronger Wales, we need a stronger education system.

“We will raise standards, strengthen the Welsh language, develop skills and build a system that works.

“By working together, we can provide opportunity, ambition and excellence for all learners, in all parts of Wales and support the workforce that makes it possible.

“This Government has made education a priority because the future of Wales depends on it.”

Estyn report highlights strengths in classrooms but says too many pupils face gaps in learning

A NEW report by Wales’ education watchdog has found examples of excellent science teaching across the country but warns that inconsistent provision is preventing many pupils from developing the scientific knowledge and skills they need.

Inspectors from Estyn found strong practice in both primary and secondary schools, with some pupils benefiting from engaging practical experiments, real-world learning opportunities and well-planned lessons that build understanding over time.

However, the report concludes that the quality of science education remains “too variable” across Wales, with weaknesses in curriculum planning, teaching and assessment continuing to affect pupils’ progress.

Inspectors said problems were particularly evident when pupils moved from primary to secondary school, where poor coordination often led to repetition of work, gaps in learning and uneven levels of challenge.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Owen Evans, said science education plays a crucial role in preparing young people for future careers.

“Science plays a vital role in helping young people understand the world around them and preparing them for future study and employment,” he said.

“While we saw encouraging examples of effective practice in schools across Wales, too many pupils experience an inconsistent science curriculum that does not build their knowledge and understanding systematically enough over time.”

The report also highlights ongoing difficulties recruiting and retaining specialist science teachers, particularly in Welsh-medium education.

Growing importance

The findings come at a time when demand for science, technology and engineering skills is increasing across west Wales.

Projects linked to renewable energy, environmental monitoring, advanced manufacturing and the Celtic Freeport are expected to create new opportunities requiring strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills over the coming years.

Estyn said schools need to strengthen teachers’ subject knowledge, improve curriculum planning and work more closely together to ensure pupils progress smoothly through their education.

The watchdog also called on local authorities, school improvement services and the Welsh Government to invest further in science-specific professional development and tackle shortages of specialist teachers.

The report was commissioned by the Welsh Government and examined science teaching in primary, secondary and all-age schools across Wales.