Welsh Government Dysg pre-11 newsletter – 3 December 2014 Issue 111

3 December 2014 • Issue 111

Welsh education news

image of Huw Lewis

Minister provides more detail on school categorisation

Education Minister, Huw Lewis has today provided more detail on how the Welsh Government’s new Categorisation system will drive up performance and break the link between poverty and low attainment in Welsh schools.  Written Statement - National School Categorisation System – Update in Relation to Secondary Schools

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National Reading and Numeracy Tests - 2015 Test administration handbook – now available!

This publication sets out the arrangements for the administration of the 2015 national reading and numeracy tests. It provides important information regarding ordering test papers, administration of the tests and access and disapplication arrangements. 

MORE WELSH EDUCATION NEWS

Areas of Learning and programmes of study: Phase 1 - literacy and numeracy: Introductory Video

Have you seen the animated video to support schools’ and settings’ understanding of the revisions to the Areas of Learning and programmes of study: Phase 1 - literacy and numeracy?

The new Individual Leadership Review tool!

Practitioners who want to improve their leadership skills can make use of the new tool to track their evidence. 

Maximise your Pupil Deprivation Grant Funding

A poster based on the top interventions as recommended by the Sutton Trust Toolkit is now available to download.   The poster contains tips on what you need to consider when implanting these strategies in the classroom.  

Survey launched to gather views on anti-bullying guidance

We would like to know your views on the guidance and how we can better tailor it to your needs before 12 December 2014.

School development plans regulations come into force

On 27 October 2014 new regulations governing the production and maintenance of school development plans came into force.  

New external mentors sought to support newly qualified teachers for 2015/16

The Welsh Government is recruiting external mentors to support NQTs during their statutory induction.  We are looking for individuals with QTS; have 5 years teaching experience in a maintained school; have successfully supported others in developing their pedagogical practice; have excellent experience of coaching and mentoring.

Queen’s 2016 New Year Honours list – Nominations Now Open!

The Department for Education and Skills are inviting nominations for the Queen’s 2016 New Year Honours list.  If you know of any deserving people who work in the Education and Skills sector that have demonstrated exceptional achievement or service, then please submit your nomination by 30 January 2015. Email us for further information and forms.

Resources and Competitions

First World War education resources launched

Education Minister, Huw Lewis launched new cutting-edge educational resources earlier this week, as part of the Welsh Government’s commemoration of the centenary of the First World War.

Life in 19th Century Cardiff education sessions and resources launched at Castell Coch – KS2 and KS3. Session £90 per group, resources online for download (CADW)

 

New KS2 & KS3 activities at Castell Coch in Tongwynlais plus a specially designed interactive Victorian board game has been created to teach children about life in nineteenth-century south Wales.  KS3 Information; Timeline game resource

New downloadable education packs incorporating STEM, Literacy, Numeracy and History for use at historic sites (CADW)

New innovative education packs have been created specifically for foundation and key stage 2 and 3 that use historic monuments to tackle subjects covering literacy, numeracy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and geography. 

Latest Statistics and reports

Hwb

Hwb+ Training

Modular “pick and mix” style training continues to prove valuable for teachers who want to fully use their school’s Hwb+ site. Training this term continues until Thursday 11 December. In the New Year training will begin on Tuesday 13 January. For more information and to book your place, visit the Hwb events page.

School Websites

Schools are now able to create their own public facing website. More information on how to create your schools public facing website can be found on Hwb.  

Hwb Content Team

Are you teaching history at KS2 and KS3? Take a look at Main Battles of the First World War – a new resource by the National Library of Wales which includes an iBook, pdf lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and an interactive exercise.

Other news

Service Children - Schools’ Survey

In partnership with Wales Data Unit, the WLGA will be conducting a tele-survey with a sample of schools from across Wales to gather base line evidence on the challenges of identifying and recording service children and on the level of understanding and awareness of this cohort of pupils. 

Service Children - Parents’ Survey

The WLGA all Wales survey offers parents of service children in Wales the chance to contribute their views on issues affecting their children’s education and share their thoughts on any support they may have received. The survey is completely anonymous and will run until April 30th 2015. 

NSPCC – Neglect Research

The NSPCC is conducting research on behalf of the Welsh Government to understand how children who are experiencing low levels of neglect can be better supported. They would like to hear the views of all professionals working in schools in Wales on how children showing signs of low level neglect can be better supported.