Latest news with #CurriculumforWales
Wales Online
4 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
The main barrier to children accessing swimming lessons in Cardiff revealed
The main barrier to children accessing swimming lessons in Cardiff revealed It comes after a study came out showing that only 16% of children in the capital could swim There are concerns about the number of children in Cardiff who can't swim (Image: Sakhorn38 ) The cost of transport was the biggest barrier to school children in Cardiff participating in swimming lessons, according to a key council decision maker. A partnership including Cardiff Council launched the Cardiff School Swimming pilot after a study came out in 2024 showing that only 16% of children in Cardiff could swim. City councillors said at a meeting earlier this year that they were worried to learn there were fewer people signed up to Greenwich Leisure Limited's (GLL) swim school membership in March 2025 compared with figures for March 2024. The council is now saying school engagement figures are up from 57% to 74% and that more than 2,250 children will have accessed swimming lessons at local pools through its pilot before the end of the academic year. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: "Swimming is part of the Curriculum for Wales, yet only 57% of Cardiff schools were participating in curriculum swimming lessons in 2022/23 with transport costs identified as the most significant barrier. "We are committed to making significant changes so that schools have as much support as possible to enable swim provision to be delivered to learners and the pilot has already made an encouraging impact on accessibility and quality across the city, supporting the continuation and expansion of the model. "We want to ensure that with further refinements and through successful partnership working, Nofio Ysgol Caerdydd can lead the way in ensuring every child in Cardiff becomes a confident swimmer and is able to have fun and be safe in and around water." Article continues below One leisure manager in Cardiff said they were saddened by the findings in Cardiff Metropolitan University and Swim Wales' study on swimming ability in the city last year, which also revealed that only 57% of primary schools sent pupils to swimming lessons. The issue was raised again at a council scrutiny committee meeting in April 2025, when councillors were told that a total of 4,300 people were signed up to GLL, or Better Leisure's, swim school membership in March 2025 compared with 4,641 in March 2024. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry (Image: South Wales Echo ) There was an increase in the number of people signed up to swim school membership between March, 2019 (4,387) and March, 2024. However, one scrutiny committee member, Cllr Margaret Lewis said this was not a good improvement over a six-year period. When asked about the figures, Head of Service at GLL Cardiff, Lee Jones, said: "It [swimming] is a key life skill. It [the data] is disappointing to see. It is one of our major objectives... is to get that number up." Mr Jones said Better was also trying to encourage parents to take their children to the swimming pool from the ages of 0-5 by offering concessionary prices. Cardiff Swim School was delivered by the Council's Cardiff Commitment Curriculum Team in partnership with Swim Wales, Cardiff Met Sport, GLL, Legacy Leisure, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Public Health Wales. In addition to addressing a number of challenges schools face in accessing swimming lessons, new processes to collect data on those pupils who have completed school swimming lessons have been implemented. This is so partners can work with schools to identify those children who have not passed the national swim curriculum, Nofio Ysgol Gold Award, and ensure support is put in place to improve their water safety. Aquatics Development Manager for Cardiff Met Sport, Ryan David, said: "Drowning is still one of the biggest causes of accidental death in Wales, especially among young people. "Learning to swim and understanding water safety should be a basic right, not a privilege. Every child in Cardiff deserves the chance to learn these life-saving skills. "We're doing everything we can to make school swimming work for every school, and this pilot is a huge step forward. But we can't do it alone. Article continues below "We need providers, schools, families and the whole community behind us to make sure no child gets left behind." The Cardiff School Swimming pilot will be expanded in 2025/26.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Maths standards in Wales too low, watchdog says
Maths standards in Wales are too low with wide variations in the quality of teaching, according to the schools watchdog. A report by Estyn inspectors said there was a "concerning decline" in the support and training available for maths teachers and a lack of understanding of the new Curriculum for Wales. Welsh teenagers' performance in maths slumped in the last Pisa international tests, falling further behind other parts of the UK Chief Inspector of Education Owen Evans said too many pupils were not reaching their full potential in the subject. 'Defiance' from parents over bad school behaviour Fruit juice 'not fruit' in school food shakeup plan He said: "Strong mathematics education is fundamental not just to individual futures, but to Wales's future prosperity." The report said inspectors saw "aspects of effective teaching and leadership of mathematics" but overall "the quality of teaching of mathematics was too variable and pupils' standards in mathematics were too low". Problems included teachers planning tasks to keep pupils busy rather than focusing on what they wanted them to learn, and not challenging students enough. It said education was most effective where teachers had high expectations and pupils were challenged but "in a majority of cases, pupils' progress was limited by aspects of poor teaching". "Pupils who had positive attitudes and enjoyed learning mathematics generally made the best progress," the report said. Some schools involved parents, including arranging classes for them. Estyn praised one school - Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi in Cardigan, Ceredigion - where all teachers in the department told pupils they were not allowed to say they were weak at maths and there was a policy that all teachers had to talk positively about the subject. Other concerns in the report included "a lack of understanding of Curriculum for Wales requirements and guidance" and teachers often did not know who to approach to answer any questions. Inspectors said the variation in the quality of teaching was "partly linked to a reduction in subject-specific support across Wales" adding there was "a lack of professional associations or groups in Wales from which teachers of mathematics could seek advice". School leaders told Estyn it was increasingly difficult to recruit maths specialists and "as a result there is a growing number of non-specialist teachers". The report said the quality of teacher training courses for maths was also "too variable". Estyn said Pisa results supported evidence that standards in maths were too low and the performance of girls in particular had "deteriorated considerably" since 2018-19. "In 2023-2024, females on average performed about a third of a grade worse in mathematics and numeracy than in 2018-2019," the report said. The gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their classmates had also widened. The report looked at the teaching of maths for seven to 16-year-olds, and was based on inspection evidence and visits to a sample of schools. It said weak skills in maths had "a significant effect on the economy" and "within an increasingly digital and technical age, the need for appropriate standards of numeracy is more important than ever". Chief Inspector Owen Evans added: "Too many pupils in Wales are not reaching their full potential in mathematics because the quality of teaching and leadership varies so widely between schools. "We need to raise expectations for all learners and provide our teachers with the subject-specific training and support they need to help every pupil succeed." Most lessons in English to be phased out in Welsh county 'We must stop mollycoddling kids' says Saturday detentions head teacher Five things inspectors say about Wales' schools
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- General
- Business News Wales
New Project Awarded £1.8m to Boost Science in Schools
An education project led by the Institute of Physics (IOP) has been awarded more than £1.8 million through the Curriculum for Wales grant support programme. Details of the funding for 'Boosting Science Education in Wales,' a partnership between the IOP, the Royal Society of Chemistry and Science Made Simple, were announced by Welsh Government. The project will deliver a suite of support activities for teachers and technicians, working from early years through to GCSE level and will cover professional development, specialised coaching and mentoring. It will also produce bilingual science teaching resources and deliver a series of confidence-boosting workshops for primary and secondary school teachers and technicians. The programme will deliver more than 250 activities and events over three years, and work with schools across the length and breadth of Wales. Emma Tamplin, the IOP's Learning and Skills Manager for Wales, said: 'We're delighted to have been awarded this funding, which is aimed at bringing the new curriculum in the sciences to life. Scientific literacy is a key skill for work and for life. Physics alone supports more than 100,000 jobs in Wales, but science also teaches us the critical thinking skills we need to be engaged citizens. 'Our approach puts teachers and technicians at the heart of our work, recognising that inspiring and confident teachers can transform their students' lives. By working with this generation of teachers, we hope that our project will inspire future generations with a love of science, and a curiosity about the world we live in.'
Wales Online
6 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Maths pupils in Wales underperforming due to 'inconsistent teaching', report finds
Maths pupils in Wales underperforming due to 'inconsistent teaching', report finds The report found there was 'insufficient subject-specific support' and that maths education across Wales remains too variable A new thematic report from Estyn has been published (Image: PA ) Many pupils are underperforming in mathematics due to "inconsistent teaching and insufficient subject-specific support", according to a new thematic report from Estyn. The report found that the quality of maths education across Wales remains too variable. The report, entitled 'Unlocking potential: insights into improving teaching and leadership in mathematics education', draws on evidence from recent school inspections, thematic visits to primary, secondary and all-age schools, and national survey responses. Whilst the report identifies pockets of effective practice in mathematics teaching and curriculum planning, overall too many schools fall short in key areas including subject knowledge, pedagogy, and the use of assessment to guide teaching. Inspectors found that where teaching was most effective, teachers held high expectations, used a range of responsive assessment techniques, and ensured that pupils developed a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. In contrast, less effective teaching often lacked challenge and did not address misconceptions effectively. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The report also highlights a concerning decline in subject-specific professional learning and support for teachers, which contributes to gaps in confidence and competence, particularly around the Curriculum for Wales. In some cases, teachers relied too heavily on bought-in schemes of work without sufficient adaptation to meet pupils' needs. Article continues below Estyn chief inspector Owen Evans said: 'Too many pupils in Wales are not reaching their full potential in mathematics because the quality of teaching and leadership varies so widely between schools. "We need to raise expectations for all learners and provide our teachers with the subject-specific training and support they need to help every pupil succeed. Strong mathematics education is fundamental not just to individual futures, but to Wales's future prosperity. 'Our report focusses on how we can improve the teaching of Maths in Wales, and provides a number of best practice examples and resources to support teachers in their day to day practice.' The report identifies the need for a coherent and comprehensive mathematics curriculum that builds progressively on pupils' learning and includes authentic contexts for application. Schools with the strongest outcomes often demonstrated collaborative curriculum planning, clear progression models, and a balance between explicit instruction and opportunities for pupils to explore and reason independently. Examples of effective practice from schools are highlighted throughout the report, as well as practical video resources for classroom teachers. Article continues below Estyn has made a series of recommendations to the Welsh Government, local authorities, regional consortia, and school leaders to strengthen the quality of mathematics teaching and ensure that all pupils, regardless of where they live, have access to high-quality mathematics education.
Pembrokeshire Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Lifeboat launch turns out to be false alarm at Caerfai Bay
THE WELSH Conservatives' new education priorities have come under fire from a leading school leaders' union, which described the plans as 'tabloid headlines' disconnected from the real challenges facing Welsh schools. Ahead of the party's conference in Llangollen on Friday (May 17), the Conservatives outlined a series of pledges that include banning mobile phones in classrooms, reintroducing home economics, and allowing schools to convert to academy status – a system currently used in England but not in Wales. Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, was critical of the proposals, saying: 'The Welsh Conservatives' priorities read more like tabloid headlines than carefully considered policies for improving children's education. They are completely out of touch with reality.' Doel argued that many of the proposals were unnecessary, pointing out that home economics remains part of the curriculum under different guises, and that most schools already have effective mobile phone policies. She also dismissed the call for academies, saying: 'Changing the name above a school doesn't change the quality of teaching or experience of the pupils in it.' She added that the key concerns among school leaders remain unresolved: 'Our members' priorities are funding, the recruitment and retention of teachers, ALN reform, conditions of service for teachers and leaders, and support for small schools.' However, some of the Conservative proposals may reflect broader concerns among parents and communities. Recent surveys have shown public unease about classroom discipline, digital distraction, and pupil safety – concerns the Conservatives appear keen to address with more uniform policy approaches. A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives said their priorities were based on 'what parents are telling us,' and insisted that schools needed 'a clear framework for excellence, not excuses for underperformance.' They added: 'We want to empower schools, ensure pupils are learning practical life skills, and put an end to the distractions that undermine classroom discipline.' The debate comes as Welsh schools continue to adapt to the new Curriculum for Wales, amid ongoing concerns about funding pressures, teacher workloads, and falling attainment in some core subjects. A recent Estyn report found that while many schools are innovating effectively, others face 'significant challenges' in delivering consistent standards. As the Welsh education debate heats up in the run-up to the next Senedd election, all parties are expected to face scrutiny over how they plan to address long-standing structural issues in the system.
