Welsh Educational System

Y Senedd: Cardiff BayEducation in Wales is a devolved issue. The Education Minister in the Senedd has responsibility for both curricular and administrative matters. The British Parliament supplies a ring fenced budget for compulsory age (5-16) education

ESTYN represent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools in WalesAll childcare settings are subject to inspections. The format and focus of inspections are reviewed regularly. Currently settings in Wales receive one month’s notice.

Early Years 0-3

non compulsory education

private childcare organisations voluntary sector nursery groups mother and toddler groups

Nursery Education 3-4 years old

non compulsory

5 sessions per week provided by the state private settings voluntary settings state settings

Nursery Education 4-5 years old

non compulsory

state schools: reception yearprivate settingsvoluntary third sector settings

Private Education

Private Educational establishments who are not required to follow the National Curriculum Statutory Orders take fee paying pupils and pupils who are on scholarships from age 5.They can be day pupils or from the age of 7 boarders. Some schools will take a combination of pupils others have boarder/day pupil only policies

State Education SystemThe State supports a number of different

types of schools all of whom are required to follow elements of the National Curriculum. All schools can be mixed or single sex and

some are through the medium of Welsh only bilingual or English only.

Infant Primary Middle Schools Grammar Secondary Modern Comprehensive Faith Schools Academies: these reasonably new

establishments are funded by a combination of state and private sponsors and are not required to follow the National Curriculum.

National Curriculum

All schools are expected to follow National Curriculum guidelines Estyn (the schools inspectorate) ensure Curriculum is followed and

teaching and learning is to the highest standards. 12 subjects to be taught including Welsh, English, Maths, Science, IT,

Religious Education, History, Geography, Physical Education, Music, Art

and MFL (from 11years old) Plus a holistic cross curricular approach to Literacy, Numeracy ,

Personal and Social Education and Economic Development Sustainability and Global Citizenship

Primary Education 5-11 years old

Foundation Phase (5-7 years old)

Reception (non-compulsory) Year 1 Year 2

Key Stage 2 (7-11 years old) Year 3-6

Assessment in Primary Education

initial non compulsory baseline assessment on entry teacher assessment annual report to parents teacher assessed ‘Outcomes’ reported at end of Year 2

(age rising 7) and ‘Levels’ reported at end of Year 6 (age rising 11)

Compulsory Standardised annual National Testing every May Year 1-6

Secondary Education (11-16 years old) Key Stage 3 Year 7-9

Key Stage 4 Year 10 and 11

Assessment in Secondary Education

Bridging work with primary schools provides baseline assessment Teacher assessed Year 6 ‘levels’ provides baseline data National Testing provides raw data Teacher assessment throughout Secondary school Annual reports to parents Teacher assessed ‘Levels’ reported at end of Year 9 (rising 14 years

old) Compulsory Standardised annual National Testing every May Year 7-9 General Certificate of Education exams at end of year 11 (rising 16

years old)

Post 16 Education (non compulsory) 6th Form Year 12 and 13

Some pupils gain apprenticeships: working while studying

Tertiary College Study groups dependant on

course studied Practical and academic

subjects on offer

Higher Education

Some people study a Higher National Diploma which lasts 2 years

Some people are offered National Vocational Qualifications in the work place

University Degree Level Education usually last three years

Many people now study Masters courses after completing their initial degrees

Most higher education is administered by the Universities.

There is a cost attached to all higher education studies