"Let teachers teach and leaders lead" - Kirsty Williams

Setting out her vision for the curriculum after being appointed to the role, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted how she wants to raise both the standards of teaching in Wales and the standard of the profession by working closely with teachers.

The Minister also emphasised how the voice of parents and pupils will be vital to her approach.

Kirsty Williams said:

“I was fully supportive of Professor Graham Donaldson’s vision for a new curriculum when it was published last year. However, the profession has told me that they often feel over-burdened by new policies and initiatives. Therefore, my focus will be to make sure that the education reform programme is implemented well. This includes making sure the workforce are at the heart of these developments and have the support they need to be able to realise the full potential of the new curriculum within their own schools.

“I want to get the basics right and let teachers get on with teaching and enable leaders to lead. I want to work closely with the profession to help teachers and practitioners be the best they can be, while raising the standard of teaching and importantly raising the standing of the profession as a whole. Without enthused, valued and skilled teachers and practitioners we can’t achieve anything.

“I also want to hear the voice of parents and children as we develop our new curriculum. The wishes of government and concerns of the profession often dominate the public debate about our education system, but I want to hear from as many parents and children as possible so their ambitions inform my agenda.

“My resolve is to fulfil our ambition of developing a world-leading curriculum.  This is a rigorous agenda. It is about better learning and higher standards; our children, young people and nation deserve nothing less.”

The Minister also set out the new Digital Competence Framework is on track to be made available to schools to help young people have the skills learners need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Today more than 250 teachers are gathering in Llandudno to hear about the latest developments in digital learning in Wales.