How was School today…?  New guides for parents and carers are on their way!

These new guides provide parents/carers with information that will enable and encourage them to take an active part in their child's education.

They will be available in 9 different community languages, please email Dfesenquiries@wales.gsi.gov.uk by Tuesday 24 June 2014 to request a form.

Anti-bullying films from school competition winners

Films from Ysgol Maes Owen and Ysgol Syr Thomos Jones give a real life insight in to the devastating effects that bullying can have.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

The Minister for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis, and the Minister for Local Government and Government Business, Lesley Griffiths, have written to headteachers to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and advising what action should taken by staff if they think young girls may be potential victims of FGM.

“What are the three best things about education in Wales?”

This is one of the big questions being asked by Professor Donaldson in his call for evidence! Have your say and help shape the future of the curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. Professor Donaldson is also keen to hear the views of children and young people – a children and young people’s questionnaire is available.

Welsh Government School Uniform Grant Scheme 2014 /15 

Pupils entering Year 7 of maintained secondary schools in Wales in the 2014/15 school year who are eligible for free school meals will be eligible for the school uniform grant; as will pupils in special schools, special needs resource bases and pupil referral units in Wales who are aged 11 at the start of the 2014/15  school year and who are eligible for free school meals.

New deal to support and raise the status of the education workforce in Wales

A ‘new deal’ to support teachers, leaders and support staff with their professional development throughout their careers while raising the esteem in which they’re held has been announced by Education Minister Huw Lewis.  Oral Statement – Huw Lewis, Minister A National Model of Professional Learning

Use of World War II (WWII) gas masks and World War I (WWI) helmets as teaching aids in schools

Important guidance for local authorities, further educational establishments, schools and teachers regarding the use of World War II (WWII) gas masks and World War I (WWI) helmets as teaching aids in history lessons – WWII gas masks and WWI helmets should not be worn or handled as they may contain dangerous asbestos fibres

Special Educational Needs Skills Survey

The Welsh Government has commenced a national survey with the education workforce on the skills and techniques needed to support children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

The Education (Wales) Act 2014 provides powers to change how school term dates are set

Two sets of Regulations have been made relating to school term dates harmonisation for all maintained schools in Wales. They are the Education (Notification of School Term Dates) (Wales) 2014 Regulations and The Education (Consultation on Term Dates) (Wales) 2014 Regulations.  Find out what they mean for maintained schools in Wales and when they are due to come into force.

Consultation on Capability of headteachers – guidance for schools

This consultation seeks your views on the proposed guidance for capability procedures of headteachers as part of  our commitment to raise standards within the maintained school sector in Wales.

£2.3 million to support science in schools

A package of funding worth £2.3 million to boost science in schools in 2014-15 has been announced by First Minister, Carwyn Jones today.

Standardisation of the National Reading and Numeracy Tests

For 2014 all tests will follow a live standardisation model. We have applied the live model to the 2013 reading tests to ensure that progress in the Reading Tests can be accurately measured.

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.

National Reading and Numeracy Tests and LNF - Diagnostic Support Tools

The diagnostic support tools for the national reading and numeracy tests are now available

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.  

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.

Reading and Numeracy Test Support Grant (RNTSG)

Find out how this grant is distributed amongst schools

Analysing test results: Newport High School

Following the first National Reading and Numeracy tests in May 2013, the headteacher and specialist staff at Newport High School explain how they are using the results to bolster learning and teaching.

Hwb+ training

Another big week of training is taking place this week at venues across Wales including Bridgend, Carmarthen, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Pembrokeshire. So far over 1065 schools have attended and are now able to begin using the exciting and powerful features of their own Hwb+ site. Training continues until the end of term and eligible schools will have been invited by their local authorities.  Please contact you local authority or the Hwb team for more information

Everyday Life in Wales series

Two new history packs for KS2 which comprises of four elements: a teacher's book, a pupil's factual book, picture cards and a story. The packs, Everyday Life in Wales in the 1890s and Everyday life in Wales in 1800-1810 meet the requirements  of the revised (2008) History curriculum and promotes literacy and numeracy in accordance with the new national framework.

Prologue to an Adventure – Getting Creative with Dylan Thomas

Literature Wales’ international creative writing competition for key stages 2 to 4.  Closing date for entries is before 27 June.

Why not get your learners to use their creative writing skills and give them the chance to have their work published; have a master class with a published writer; or even broadcast on BBC Radio Wales! 

Celebrating Dylan Thomas’s Centenary – What’s Happening for Schools Around Wales

Find out more about the various events and activities taking place around Wales to celebrate the centenary

Evaluating the Foundation Phase

Here you will find all the latest reports and key findings on various aspects of the foundation phase including: Environment (indoor/outdoor); training, support and guidance; reported impacts and much more

Writing programme report shows increase in pupils’ progress by nine months

A trial funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) stands out because of the impressive level of progress shown and the low cost of conducting the programme.

Evaluation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Programmes

We have commissioned SQW to assess the impact of both programmes on raising achievement, improving educational standards and enhancing teaching practice.

A review of research evidence on the effectiveness of different approaches to promoting early speech and language development

A review of practice in the implementation of the early language development support element within Flying Start