WELSH EDUCATION NEWS

Simplifying the process of curriculum design within Curriculum for Wales 50 schools and settings are welcome to take part in cohort 7 of the National support programme, which is delivered over 10 online sessions.  Spaces filling up quickly, secure your place on the next cohort.

Invite to the Strategic Education Workforce Plan workshops We want to hear your views Sign up now, various dates during November

Anti-Bullying Week 2025 Show off your oddsocks! It's Anti-Bullying Week next week (10-14 November), and to celebrate, we're asking that everyone wear odd socks on Monday 10 November. There's a lot going on throughout the week so visit the Hwb website now to find out more.

Welsh government Education news

Opportunity to shape revised professional standards for assisting teaching

Teaching assistants (TAs) are an integral part of the education workforce, playing a crucial role in supporting our children and young people.  If you’re a TA or a HLTA, this is an excellent opportunity for you to work with Professor Mick Waters in November to co-construct the standards for assisting teaching. Places still available, register here 

Calm Classrooms, Thriving Minds: professional learning for educators

Participate in a new pilot programme designed to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of learners and educators in schools.

Consultation related to moving ALNCos to leadership pay and conditions to implement recommendation from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s (IWPRB) fifth report

Improving attendance in secondary schools: an update on progress

Personalised assessments - planning ahead 

Lessons from Auschwitz: Supporting Learners to Understand the Holocaust

Holiday Activities for Children with Complex Additional Learning Needs

Written Statement: Participation in TIMSS 2027 (3 November 2025)

Financial support and tuition fee limits for higher education students for the 2026/27 academic year (3/11/2025)

Detailed spending plans show Welsh Government's commitment to key services and Written Statement

stakeholder and partner updates

Qualifications Wales

• Redesigning GCSE History: enriching learners’ understanding of Wales and the world
• GCSE Dance helps learners step into the spotlight

Estyn: Early Insights 2024-2025

Estyn’s early insights stress that high-quality teaching, literacy, and effective leadership are key to improving education. The report shares effective practice across 18 sectors, encouraging providers to reflect, learn, and drive improvement ahead of the full report in early 2026.

Estyn live event: International Languages in Schools

Thursday 27 Nov, 16:00. Hear inspectors and providers share insights from Wales’ Languages Matter thematic review. 

EWC

• The EWC’s Director of Regulation, David Browne, shares how effective registration and regulation protect learners and young people, and build confidence in the education workforce.
• Recruitment and retention: trends, challenges, and policy pathways, 10:00-12:00, 13 November.  The next virtual event explores recruitment and retention in Wales’ education workforce.

Professional learning opportunities

Cyber incident response training

Police forces in Wales are delivering cyber incident response training aimed at all school staff.  Register for online training sessions for the 2025 academic year.

FREE mentoring sessions and workshops

Promoting International Languages (IL) across secondary schools in Wales.  Is your school looking to improve attitudes towards IL, broaden learners’ horizons and raise aspirations for HE? MFL Mentoring offers free small group Year 8/9 Mentoring sessions and whole class workshops to secondary schools across Wales!  The deadline to apply is 14 November 2025 so don’t miss out! 

Resources, events and competitions

Remembrance Sunday: Monday 10 November 2025

Engage learners with these Remembrance Sunday resources.

Inspire Girls with STEM: CyberFirst Girls Competition

Teachers across Wales can help year 8 girls explore technology and problem solving through this free competition. Teams tackle coding, logic, networking, and cybersecurity challenges. Book a free hour-long in-school taster session via wales@cyberfirstschools.co.uk and Register for 2025/26

Children with a Parent in Prison Day: 25 November 2025

A new National Day of Recognition, this day focuses on ‘Hear Me, See Me’, emphasising the importance of recognising and understanding the voices of children who are often invisible in discussions about the justice system. Get Involved: raise awareness, host events and educate #HearmeSeeme #CWIPPDay