welsh education system
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Welsh Educational System
Y Senedd: Cardiff BayEducation in Wales is a devolved issue. The Education Minister in the Senedd has responsibility for both curricular and administrative matters. The British Parliament supplies a ring fenced budget for compulsory age (5-16) education
ESTYN represent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools in WalesAll childcare settings are subject to inspections. The format and focus of inspections are reviewed regularly. Currently settings in Wales receive one month’s notice.
Early Years 0-3
non compulsory education
private childcare organisations voluntary sector nursery groups mother and toddler groups
Nursery Education 3-4 years old
non compulsory
5 sessions per week provided by the state private settings voluntary settings state settings
Nursery Education 4-5 years old
non compulsory
state schools: reception yearprivate settingsvoluntary third sector settings
Private Education
Private Educational establishments who are not required to follow the National Curriculum Statutory Orders take fee paying pupils and pupils who are on scholarships from age 5.They can be day pupils or from the age of 7 boarders. Some schools will take a combination of pupils others have boarder/day pupil only policies
State Education SystemThe State supports a number of different
types of schools all of whom are required to follow elements of the National Curriculum. All schools can be mixed or single sex and
some are through the medium of Welsh only bilingual or English only.
Infant Primary Middle Schools Grammar Secondary Modern Comprehensive Faith Schools Academies: these reasonably new
establishments are funded by a combination of state and private sponsors and are not required to follow the National Curriculum.
National Curriculum
All schools are expected to follow National Curriculum guidelines Estyn (the schools inspectorate) ensure Curriculum is followed and
teaching and learning is to the highest standards. 12 subjects to be taught including Welsh, English, Maths, Science, IT,
Religious Education, History, Geography, Physical Education, Music, Art
and MFL (from 11years old) Plus a holistic cross curricular approach to Literacy, Numeracy ,
Personal and Social Education and Economic Development Sustainability and Global Citizenship
Primary Education 5-11 years old
Foundation Phase (5-7 years old)
Reception (non-compulsory) Year 1 Year 2
Key Stage 2 (7-11 years old) Year 3-6
Assessment in Primary Education
initial non compulsory baseline assessment on entry teacher assessment annual report to parents teacher assessed ‘Outcomes’ reported at end of Year 2
(age rising 7) and ‘Levels’ reported at end of Year 6 (age rising 11)
Compulsory Standardised annual National Testing every May Year 1-6
Secondary Education (11-16 years old) Key Stage 3 Year 7-9
Key Stage 4 Year 10 and 11
Assessment in Secondary Education
Bridging work with primary schools provides baseline assessment Teacher assessed Year 6 ‘levels’ provides baseline data National Testing provides raw data Teacher assessment throughout Secondary school Annual reports to parents Teacher assessed ‘Levels’ reported at end of Year 9 (rising 14 years
old) Compulsory Standardised annual National Testing every May Year 7-9 General Certificate of Education exams at end of year 11 (rising 16
years old)
Post 16 Education (non compulsory) 6th Form Year 12 and 13
Some pupils gain apprenticeships: working while studying
Tertiary College Study groups dependant on
course studied Practical and academic
subjects on offer
Higher Education
Some people study a Higher National Diploma which lasts 2 years
Some people are offered National Vocational Qualifications in the work place
University Degree Level Education usually last three years
Many people now study Masters courses after completing their initial degrees
Most higher education is administered by the Universities.
There is a cost attached to all higher education studies