The implementation of a new national school curriculum for Wales will be delayed by a year as it is phased in, the Welsh Government has announced.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, has confirmed that the new curriculum will be introduced from 2022 – a year later than originally scheduled.
The major education shake-up was first introduced in 2015 by Ms Williams’ predecessor, Huw Lewis AM.
Speaking at the time, Mr Lewis, who was also the Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, said he wanted Wales’ new curriculum to be available to schools by 2018, with formal teaching beginning by 2021.
An independent report on testing and the curriculum in Wales formed the foundations for Mr Lewis’ plan, called “A curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life”.
The new curriculum will see an end to key stages, instead embracing “progression steps”.
There will be no formal exams until GCSEs, which, along with A-Levels, will remain.
There will also be a larger emphasis on IT, health and wellbeing.
Ms Williams called the decision to revise the timeline of the new curriculum the right one.
She said: “Since becoming Education Secretary I have visited schools across the country, spoken to a range of teachers, parents and experts and held talks with unions.
“It’s the right decision to introduce the curriculum as a phased roll-out rather than a ‘big bang’, and for that to start in 2022.
“This approach, and an extra year, will mean all schools have the time to engage with the development of the curriculum and be fully prepared for the changes.
“As the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) have recommended, we will continue our drive to create a curriculum for the 21st century.”
The new curriculum will be introduced from nursery to Year 7 in 2022; rolling into Year 8 in 2023, Year 9 in 2024, Year 10 in 2025 and Year 11 in 2026.
All schools will have access to the final curriculum from 2020.
Ms Williams also announced the launch of a new education action plan, aimed at raising standards, and delivering an education system that is “a source of national pride and public confidence.”
It includes:
• Reducing class sizes
• Reforming teacher training
• Strengthening support for learners with additional learning needs
• A national approach to long-term career development for teachers
• Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy for teachers
• £1.1 billion to upgrade the quality of school buildings.
She added: “Our plan is aimed at ensuring every young person in Wales has an equal opportunity to reach the highest standards and their full potential.”