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.

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 later this week. 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.

Conversion tables

This year, standardisation of the reading tests’ scores will take place in June on the scores achieved by all learners who took the tests. This means that the conversion/look-up tables will not be available until July.

Written Statement - Review of secondary school banding and development of a primary school grading model 

Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills

The planned reviews of the measures included in the secondary school banding model and the development of a primary school grading model are underway.

Oral Statement - Jobs Growth Wales

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology

‘…I welcome the opportunity this afternoon to provide an update on the success of the Jobs Growth Wales programme…’

Welsh apprentices compete to be the best in construction skills

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, were in Coleg Sir Gâr today as the search to find some of Wales’ most talented construction apprentices and trainees reached its conclusion.

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) 2014-15 briefing sessions

Do you think you’re ready for headship? To find out if you are, come along to one of our briefing sessions!  Remember that you should bring your current headteacher with you (where applicable). Dates and venues for prospective applicants are now available on Learning Wales. Please contact your Consortium to register a place for yourself and headteacher.

Call for evidence - effective professional learning in schools

We are seeking examples of effective approaches to professional learning from schools to develop a number of case studies.

New case studies - schools working in partnership with arts and cultural organisations

Following the publication of the Welsh Government’s response to the Arts in Education report, we bring you some examples of projects demonstrating how creative learning and the arts can enrich the curriculum and support skills development. Here’s the first of the three studies with Ysgol Abercaseg and Cwmni’r Frân Wen.

Events still 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.

TwfSgiliau Cymru/SkillsGrow Wales

Tribal has recently commenced the pilot launch of TwfSgiliau Cymru/SkillsGrow Wales - formerly known as Wales Essential Skills Assessment Tool (WESAT) - to a number of post-16 learning providers across Wales.

NOW AVAILABLE: Guidance for using the Pupil Deprivation Grant

What really works?

This guide is intended to give schools practical advice on how to use their Pupil Deprivation Grant to best effect. It supplements the guidance for Practitioners that was published in December 2013 on the Pupil Deprivation Grant 2013–2015.

Do your 16-18 year old students have an interest in European Affairs, Politics and Lively Debate?  

There are still a few places available for this year’s Mock Council of the European Union.  Places are allocated on a first come first served basis so be quick!

Hwb+ training

Secondary school Hwb+ training  began last week with training taking place in Cardiff, Gwynedd and Neath Port Talbot. The new Hwb+ secondary theme has been extremely well received by all who attended.  Over the coming weeks, training is taking place for both primary and secondary schools at  venues across Wales.   Eligible schools will have been invited by their local authorities.  Please contact you local authority or the Hwb team for more information.

Hwb Content Team

The first Hwb Content Development Event, with a specific Arts focus, was held at Ysgol Plasmawr, Cardiff last week. The event included arts teachers and representation from arts organisations. We will now be considering a series of similar events for 2014/2015.

Don’t forget the Merthyr Tydfil HwbMeet this week. We will be at Canolfan Soar, Merthyr from 4.30pm – 6.00pm on Thursday 15 May, along with colleagues from various arts organisations who will be sharing their expertise and innovation. If you’d like to join us, it’s all for free but please reserve your place using Eventbrite.

Further Mathematics Support Programme in Wales - Revision Sessions

• Online revision materials for Further Mathemathics now available.
• Online revision sessions for WJEC will take place in May and June. Mechanics 1&2, Statistics 1&2 and Further Pure 1&2 will be offered in both Welsh and English.  Request a link for an online WJEC session.  All sessions will be recorded and made available. Book a face-to-face WJEC revision session in Bangor, Cardiff or Swansea

Non-Further Maths students are welcome to attend Mechanics and Statistics WJEC sessions both online and face-to-face.

Gweiddi

Out now: the latest issue of the online educational magazine Gweiddi – a resource to help Key Stage 3 students develop their Welsh oral, reading and writing skills.

The Welsh Government has commissioned this resource and many more on Hwb.

Religious Questions to ExploRE (Tinopolis)

A set of books, available in English and Welsh to support Religious Education at Key Stage 3. The three books are each based around an important question, 'What is God?', 'What is Truth? and 'Why should we help others?'

The Welsh Government has commissioned this resource and many more. Please see the Educational Material category at gwales.com for more information on these resources and to purchase

Pupil Deprivation – May 2014 (Estyn)

The purpose of this report is to summarise the main messages from Estyn reports on tackling poverty and disadvantage in schools.

Dylan Thomas writing workshops – try before you buy!

Click here to see examples of the creative writing workshops available to schools across Wales to celebrate the Dylan Thomas centenary. For further information, including how to book a workshop for your school, visit Developing Dylan 100.

Read the latest news on the Developing Dylan education programme

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.