Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum have today been laid before the Senedd.
The Bill provides a new legislative framework to support the new curriculum and assessment arrangements as part of our wider programme of education reform. Taken together, our reform programme is raising standards, tackling the attainment gap and ensuring we have an education system that is a source of national pride and confidence.
The Bill repeals Part 7 of the Education Act 2002, which sets out the current curriculum and assessment arrangements for Wales. The current provisions are narrow, restrictive and do not do enough to support teachers design and develop a curriculum that prioritises learners’ progression.
I want us to move into a new era, where each learner benefits from a broad and balanced education. We will legislate for the four purposes, which are the shared vision and aspiration for every child and young person. In fulfilling these, we set high expectations for all, promote individual and national well-being, tackle ignorance and misinformation, and encourage critical and civic engagement.
The new Curriculum for Wales framework will provide every school in Wales the opportunity to design and implement their own curriculum within a national approach that secures a consistency of approach for learners across the country.
The six areas of learning and experience bring together familiar disciplines and encourage strong and meaningful links across them. While disciplines remain important, this new approach supports learners to build connections across their learning, helping them understand not only what they learn but why.
This will apply to 3-16 year olds in maintained schools, maintained nursery schools and in funded non-maintained nursery settings. The Bill will allow for curriculum provision in Pupil Referral Units and for pupils for whom local authorities secure education in other settings. There will also be limited provision for post-compulsory education in maintained schools.
I will deliver an oral statement on the Bill to the Senedd on Wednesday 8th July. A copy of the Bill and supporting documentation is available here.