Neil GibbonsPrincipal Learning Adviser

Flintshire Local Education Authority

Wales

Where is Wales?

Scotland

England

Northern Ireland

Ireland

(Eire)Wales

(Cymru)

Where is Flintshire?

Flintshire Schools

• 75 Primary schools (6 Welsh language)

• 12 Secondary schools (1 Welsh language)

• 3 Special Educational needs schools

• Education has been the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government since devolution in 1999.

• Wales has abolished compulsory testing for seven and eleven-year-olds.

• All testing up to 16 has been replaced by teacher assessments and development of a skills profile.

• A skills based curriculum is being introduced from September 2008.

• Welsh is a compulsory subject for all students in mainstream state schools in Wales.

Differences between the English and Welsh systems

How is the Skills Framework organised?

Four sections:

• Developing Thinking

• Communication

• Information Communication Technology (ICT)

• Number

Thinking Skills & Assessment for Learning

• focus on the development, implementation and dissemination of good practice in the teaching of thinking skills and assessment for learning strategies.

• the main aims of the programme are to:• improve pupil performance • increase engagement with learning • increase the frequency of creative lessons.

http://old.accac.org.uk/eng/content.php?mID=708

The future?

Our education system here in Wales is undergoing radical change. By 2010, the increased education and training opportunities in Wales will bear very little resemblance to those available in 1999.

Our aim is to ensure the best possible environment to encourage learning at all stages in people’s lives.

Megan

A child born today-let’s call her Megan-will have new opportunities to develop to the limits of her ability rather than the limits of the system.

Let’s look at what her experience might be………..

0-7 years

If Megan is part of the new Flying Start programme for babies to three year olds, she and her parents will have dedicated health, education and childcare support to prepare her for the new Foundation Phase of learning to be introduced for 3-7 yr olds in 2008.with its emphasis on active learning and the outside classroom. She will eat free healthy breakfasts at school in the morning and the school will provide healthy food throughout the day.

7-11

As she moves up through the primary school she will follow a compulsory curriculum which will offer her a full range of experiences. She will be assessed by teachers who will use that assessment to inform Megan’s learning and ensure that she is given the best possible support in the move to secondary school through statutory transition planning.

11-14

The curriculum that she will follow up to the age of 14 will be built with a focus on the skills that she will need for future success in education and employment. She will continue to follow a compulsory core curriculum with the addition of a modern foreign language. She may choose to stand for election to the school council or to support her school’s eco –committee.

14-16

At the age of 14 Megan will have to make some important choices about her future. At her local community school she will have the chance to follow high quality course which will take her either along the traditional academic route or a new vocational learning route. Both could lead to study in further or higher education, as well as to high- skilled employment.

16-19

• Whichever route she chooses Megan will be encouraged to participate in full-time education and training until she is at least 19.Her achievements will be recorded in the Welsh Baccalaureate which will enable her to demonstrate the right skills for university or the world of work. Hopefully she will have gained a passion for learning which will last her for life.

Contributions from Flintshire

• Flintshire Aspirations

• Thinking Skills project

• Basic Skills developments

• Piloting new assessment arrangements

• Transition planning

Thinking skills strategies used in the project

• KWL grids

• Who-what-when-where?

• Placemat activity

• Odd-one-out

KWL grids

What I Know What I Want to know What I have Learned

They take good care of each

other.

The Gambia is in Africa.

They carry things on their

heads.

There is only one set of traffic lights.

People in the Gambia have different body shapes to ours.

Gambia is the smallest country in Africa.

They make most of their toys.

They do a dance called the fool dance.

50 dalasi = 1 pound.

A river runs right through Gambia.

They are fun loving.

What do they eat?

Where do the food sellers get their food from?

How many schools are there and what are they like?

What kind of jobs do they have?

Where do they get their clothes from?

What animals live in Gambia?

What sports and games do they play?

Why are their bodies built

differently to ours?

How is the river used?

Is Gambia popular with tourists?

What diseases do the Gambians catch?

What are the hospitals like?

What are the houses made out of and how big are they?

What is the Gambians main religion?

What kind of transport do they use?

Placemat activity

Odd one out activity