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Question
1 – What
are your views on whether Welsh in Education Strategic Plans are
contributing to the outcomes and targets set out in the Welsh
Government’s overarching Welsh Medium Education Strategic
Plan?
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ATL Cymru
members tell us that the WESP, updated annually, is a comprehensive
document. However, it remains to be seen how far, and how
fast, it can be implemented.
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If you believe
that WESPs are not contributing sufficiently, how do you think this
could be resolved?
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Members tell us
that whilst the WESP itself makes a positive contribution, it faces
practical, cultural and financial constraints.
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Question 2
– What are your
views on whether WESPs are (or have the potential) to deliver the
required change at a local authority level (for example delivering
provision to meet any increased demand for Welsh medium
education)?
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Members tell us
more research is needed to ensure the demand for Welsh medium
education is accurately targeted.
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If you believe
that WESPs are not, or don’t have the potential, to deliver
change, how do you think this could be resolved?
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Members tell us
cultural change takes time and that pupil numbers in Welsh medium
schools are critical to ensuing positive change for the future.
They also point to the backdrop of a difficult financial
climate for local authorities.
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Question 3
– What are your
views on the arrangements for target setting; monitoring;
reviewing; reporting; approving; and ensuring compliance with
delivering the requirements for WESPs (and the role of the local
authority and the Welsh Government in this regard)?
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Members tell us
that whilst there is a strong commitment to the WESP at a local
authority level, local finances can prove a challenge.
Members also question the value of target setting by WG, and
suggest their annual target revisions are often slow.
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If you believe
there are problems in this area, how do you think they could be
resolved?
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Our members
suggest intuitive initiatives at a local level can have a real
impact.
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Question 4
– What are your
views on whether WESPs evidence the effective interaction between
the Welsh Government’s Welsh-medium education strategy and
other relevant policies and legislation*?
(*for example school transport policy; 21st Century Schools
programme; A living language: a language for living – Moving
forward policy statement; Flying Start; planning policy)
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Members suggest
that policies such as free transport to the Welsh medium sector
have a positive impact.
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If you believe
there are problems in this area, how do you think they could be
resolved?
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Members suggest
more research and forward planning is needed to ensure that any
expansion of the Welsh medium provision at primary level leads to
appropriate provision at secondary level too.
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Question 5
– What are your
views on whether the outcomes of WESPs deliver equal outcomes for
all pupils, including for example, primary/secondary pupils or
children from low income households.
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Our members did
not comment on this area.
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If you believe
that the outcome of WESPs do not deliver equal outcomes, how do you
think this could be resolved?
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Question
6 - If you had to
make one recommendation to the Welsh Government from all the points
you have made, what would that recommendation be?
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Our members
suggest that Welsh Government need to encourage and nurture
change.
We would have
concern that more research is needed, especially relating to the
federalisation of Welsh and English medium schools, to ensure this
policy does not have an impact on the ethos of the
school.
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Question
7 - Do you have
any other comments or issues you wish to raise that have not been
covered by the specific questions?
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