Welsh Government Dysg eNewsletter: 4 March 2016 (Issue 451)

4 March 2016 • Issue 451

 
 
 
 
 
 

WELSH EDUCATION NEWS

pi-day 130 x 130

Pi Day Cymru

Celebrate Wales’ π heritage by helping to launch Pi Day Cymru on Monday 14th March.  The Minister for Education and Skills, is encouraging learners across Wales to start planning activities and challenges to get involved in the day themselves, whether it be through going out and discovering uses of Pi in their local area or sharing their own plans for the day on social media using #PiDayCymru.

Apprenticeship130x130

Apprenticeship Week (14-18 March 2016)

Is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Being an apprentice gives you the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification and develop professional skills, while earning a salary.  Follow us on Twitter @apprenticewales and like us on Facebook

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MORE WELSH EDUCATION NEWS

Together for young people - 17 March 2016 – Cardiff

This conference offers school practitioners an opportunity to find out how youth work can support schools, how youth work can improve school attendance and behaviour, free up teachers' time to teach, and support young people to reach their potential now and in the future as part of the new curriculum.  Key note speakers include Professor Graham Donaldson.  Book your place now!

2016/17 Pupil Deprivation Grant (PDG)

Allocations for schools have just been published.
Plan how to spend your PDG effectively using our helpful guidance.

Grades available for new GCSE maths qualifications confirmed

The assessment of the newly introduced GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy qualifications has been designed to include three separate tiers to ensure that the whole range of learner ability can be assessed and that pupils can take the exam that is most appropriate to them. As a result, Qualifications Wales has confirmed that it will not be possible for candidates sitting the foundation paper in the new GCSE maths qualifications to be awarded a grade C.

Date set for QiW’s launch

QiW, the new and comprehensive source of information on approved and designated qualifications awarded in Wales, will go live on 1 April. Further information, including advice on what Awarding Bodies and centres need to do next, can be found on the Qualifications Wales website.

The impact of the Additional Training Graduate Programme (Teach First) in Wales (Estyn)

Relevant to those providing or undergoing teacher training, this report examines how effectively the Teach First programme enables graduates to become qualified teachers.  Welsh Government response

Consultation - Support for foundation years

We are undertaking a consultation to seek views on the proposed changes to support for higher education students undertaking a foundation year.

English, Welsh, mathematics & Science - What works?  (Central South Consortium)

9 March 2016 – Cardiff City Hall – 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm

At times we all need inspiring, so come along to an afternoon of subject specific workshops designed to make you think about teaching and learning in the new light.

Wales Public Service Summer School 2016

27 June to 1 July 2016
University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter

Summer School is an intensive, five-day residential learning experience bringing together leaders and managers to address key issues on a specific leadership topic.  The theme is ‘Leading with Purpose, Passion and Perseverance’. Find out more about this year's theme in the Summer School 2016 brochure.  Applications close 11 March 2016.

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Post-16 Updates

Post-16 Planning and funding framework - Update to Programmes Directory

The Welsh Government has published Version 4 of the Programmes Directory which contains an updated list of the programmes that are eligible for funding for 2016/17.

Consultation - Supporting learners with healthcare needs guidance document

The ‘Access to education and support for children and young people with medical needs’ guidance document was originally published in 2010.  The revised draft version, now titled ‘Supporting learners with healthcare needs’, is shorter and takes account of changes to equalities legislation and new guidance on keeping Salbutamol Inhalers on school premises.

Leading Wales programme application process is now open

You have until 7 March 2016 to apply for a place on the programme designed especially for senior leaders in Further Education (FE) institutions.

Confirmation of Key Stage 4 and 16-18 Local Curriculum Offers for 2016/17

Careers Wales Online is now open for schools and FE colleges to upload their Key Stage 4 and 16-18 local curriculum offer course information. Please ensure that this process is completed and all local curriculum offers have been confirmed by Friday 8 April using  The Careers Wales Online system

WorldSkills UK Competitions

An online campaign encouraging entries to WorldSkills UK competitions by the 7 April is currently underway. WorldSkills UK is the name given for a series of around 60 skills competitions that take place annually across the UK, ranging from Carpentry, Floristry, Industrial Electronics to Web Design and Beauty Therapy. 

WorldSkills Vacancies?

Find A Future have a number of Expert vacancies they are looking to fill for the UK training team for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017.

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qualified for life - focus on science

Next TeachMeet, Bishop Gore School, Swansea – 10 March 2016

ASE  Cymru will be hosting a TechMeet for science technicians  and TeachMeet for science teachers focusing on practical work. This is an opportunity for science technicians and teachers to share great ideas. Open to all; ASE non-members welcome. Techmeet 2.00pm followed by Teachmeet at 4.30pm.

Campaign Resources Pack

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Hwb

Hwb+ and Office 365

The Office 365 cloud-based toolkit is freely available when you log in to Hwb+. The toolkit includes e-mail, calendar, contacts, document storage and Office Online, which allows you to create and edit documents in Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel through your web browser.

Download the Office 365 user guides from Hwb to find out more about the tools available.

Bangor HwbMeet – Thursday March 17 2016

Tŷ Menai, Parc Menai, Bangor LL57 4HJ.  4.30pm – 6:00pm

HwbMeets provide an informal opportunity for teachers to come along and meet the Hwb team, to find out about Hwb, Hwb+, e-Safety and to hear about good practice and bilingual digital resources that can support their work in the classroom. Book your free tickets.

National Digital Learning Award 2016

Entries are now open for the NDLAs 2016. If your school has been undertaking some excellent digital learning, we’d like to hear from you.

Further details, examples of previous winners, and guidance for applicants are available on Hwb. Closing date: Monday 18 April 2016.

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resources

CIWB: Dylech chi . . .

This is the tenth issue in the Ciwb series aimed at Second Language Welsh pupils in year 8. The theme of the articles is "You should ...". You’ll be able to read, learn and discuss issues involving money, problems and jobs. Visit the site to read and find out more!

Gweiddi - Issue 33 -  O may the "old language" continue

A new article of Gweiddi is now live! O may the "old language" continue, is the theme for this edition. Welsh Key Stage 3 pupils can read about Nant Gwrtheyrn, Welsh in the Workplace, Pethau Bychain (do the ‘little things in Welsh’) and much more. Read and enjoy!

Yr Hengerdd a’r Cywyddau - Dafydd ap Gwilym

Following the units on Y Gododdin and Canu Taliesin, the final unit, Dafydd ap Gwilym, is now available. This resource reveals the secrets of poetry from hundreds of years ago in an accessible and interesting way and supports the teaching of the Hengerdd a’r Cywyddau element of the WJEC specification for Welsh (first language) A level.

Study and Revision Guide for A-Level Media Studies

Endorsed by the WJEC and written by an experienced senior examiner, this Welsh-language study and revision guide has been designed to lead students through the A2 Media Studies course as well as preparing them for their final examinations.

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latest statistics and reports

Absenteeism from schools by pupil Characteristics

Educational attainment of young people by age 19

National Reading and Numeracy Tests and entitlement to free school meals

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other news

Exploring the characteristics of education systems which are successful in science (NFER)

 
 

ABOUT DYSG

Dysg is the official education e-newsletter from Welsh Government. Dysg aims to provide updates and developments on post-11 education and training sectors in Wales.

Find out more on the web:

learning.gov.wales

hwb.wales.gov.uk

gov.wales

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