The headteacher’s declaration form

The headteacher’s declaration form is now available for download. The form must be signed and submitted to the relevant consortium or local authority after the tests have been administered and marked, and by no later than 20 June 2014.  

Important information for Parents/Carers

The guide containing information for Parents and Carers on the National Tests was distributed last week. Schools are required to pass onto parents/carers of children in years 2 to 9. Please share the following link on your school’s website for parents/carers to view the guide online. If you have not received copies of the booklet please e-mail literacy@wales.gsi.gov.uk  

Test Helpline

There is a helpline service to support your school through the testing process. The number to call is: 01753 637270 or you can contact the helpline by sending an email to: welsh-test-orders@nfer.ac.uk.

National Reading and Numeracy Tests and LNF - Diagnostic Support Tools          

Diagnostic Support Tools for the National Reading and Numeracy Tests will be available after the testing window closes. These tools will support teachers’ analysis of the national test results for their pupils and will map performance to the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework.  

National Reading and Numeracy Tests – Key Dates for Data Entry            

Please note that DEWi will open on 7 May for submission of test results. The final deadline for uploading data is 6 June, or by the date set by your Local Authority.

E-Safety training courses for teachers in Wales

South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) will begin a year long programme of monthly webinars on various aspects of e-safety which will provide an essential update for education professionals across Wales. The first webinar, General E-Safety Awareness, will take place on 12 May 2014.

The next session on Parental Engagement will take place on 18 June 2014.

The Education (Wales) Bill – update

The Education (Wales) Bill on schedule to receive Royal Assent in the next couple of weeks

The Bill includes provisions which change the term date-setting process in Wales.  Take a look at the latest draft of the proposed regulations and a suggested template which may be used to notify the Welsh Ministers of term dates.

Fully funded leadership development for schools

Deadline extended to 13:00 on 9 May 2014

You have the opportunity to apply for Welsh Government funding to develop leadership in your school and play an important role in developing school leadership programmes in Wales.

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014 – closing date for Applications 27 June 2014

The Apprenticeship Awards brings together individuals, learning providers, and employers who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Employability, Jobs Growth Wales and Apprenticeship programmes across Wales.  Applications for Employability, Jobs Growth Wales, Learner, Employer and Learning Provider are available

Consultation to revise the curriculum for Wales – Phase 1: literacy and numeracy

Take part in the consultation and make sure your views help develop a curriculum designed to improve literacy and numeracy in Wales. You can also register for one of our events taking place across Wales.

Learning Wales user group – we need you! 

As work on the final look and feel for the Learning Wales website begins, we’re looking for volunteers to help with testing the changes before they appear live on the site.

Hwb+ training

The first secondary school training sessions are taking place this week on Tuesday and Wednesday (6 and 7 May) with training taking place in Cardiff (Tŷ Dysgu), Gwynedd (CYNNAL Technology Centre)  and Neath Port Talbot (Dyffryn School). Eligible schools will have been contacted by their local authorities.  Training for both primary and secondary schools is taking place until the end of July. Please contact your local authority or the Hwb team for more information.

Hwb Content Team

The next HwbMeet will take place at Canolfan Soar, Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday 15 May between 4:30 – 6:00pm. This event will have a specific  arts focus, and we look forward to welcoming arts in education experts who will share their ideas and experiences with you. As usual, the event is free. Book your place here.

National Digital Learning Awards

Applications for the National Digital Learning Awards close at midnight on Tuesday 6 May 2014. Have you got your entry in yet?  It’s a simple process.  We are now able to announce speakers for the

National Digital Learning Event - Wednesday 9 July at Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Keynote speakers include Maggie Philbin from TeenTech, Abdul Chohan from the ESSA Academy, and Simon Brown, Estyn. Look out for eventbrite booking details in Dysg soon.

CBAC UG Y Gyfraith: Canllaw Astudio ac Adolygu: a guide for those studying AS Law through the medium of Welsh

This study and revision guidebook leads the student through the course and prepares them for the final exam. More 

The Welsh Government has commissioned this educational resource and many more. Go to the Educational Material category at gwales.com to buy these resources and for more information.

Skills Through Science

An on-line resource: These units provide materials that support the progression of skills development (Reflecting, Communicating, Planning and Developing) through science enquiry to answer “big questions” from early KS2 to the highest levels of KS3. This resource is available free of charge on Hwb, the all-Wales learning platform.

Ugly Lovely Swansea: A Poet on the Estate

Performer and writer Benjamin Zephaniah goes to the Townhill estate in Swansea, with the aim of staging a community performance in honour of the city's best known son, Dylan Thomas.

The Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission Competition - Closing date 30 May 2014

The Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission is to convene a Youth Forum in Downing Street in the autumn this year. A competition to join the forum, which will discuss the work of the Commission, has now been launched. Young people across the country are invited to enter by writing an essay answering the question ‘Why is it so important that we remember the Holocaust and how can we make sure future generations never forget?’