£29M INJECTION TO AID PUPILS
THE Welsh Government is to provide an additional £29m to schools to boost support for children at crucial stages in their education from September.
The equivalent of 600 extra teachers and 300 teaching assistants will be recruited throughout the next school year, targeting extra support at Years 11, 12 and 13 as well as disadvantaged and vulnerable learners of all ages.
This is aimed at supporting schoolchildren taking their A-levels and GCSEs in 2021 and those known to have been affected the most while many schools have been closed since March.
Professional learning resources will be provided to support the new and existing teachers in preparation for September. Staff will be recruited on a one-year fixed-term contract and are expected to move into educational roles in the following school year.
The support package, provided at a school level, could include extra coaching support, personalised learning programmes and additional time and resources for exam-year pupils.
A range of teaching approaches will be relevant, including blended learning, said the Welsh Government.
Since most schools closed to pupils in March, the Welsh Government says it has targeted support to ensure continuity of learning, including providing 10,000 digital learning devices, ensuring eligible children continue to receive free school meals and increasing mental and emotional health and well-being support.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams is to host the Welsh Government’s daily press conference at 12.30 today, where she is expected to announce plans for schools and if they can reopen in September.
Ms Williams said of the extra funding: “Our education family in Wales has met the challenge of the pandemic together, ensuring that our young people are supported with their well-being and learning.
“I now want to ensure schools and pupils have the support they need by recruiting extra staff, to support the recovery phase and continue to raise standards as part of our national mission of education reform.
“This extra investment and targeted support will ensure that the impact of time away from school over recent months is minimised.
“This is not a short-term fix. I am guaranteeing this money, extra staff and support for the whole of next year. “Alongside the new curriculum, we are moving purposefully into a new era for education. One where each learner benefits from a broad and balanced education. “Together, we will continue to raise standards for all, reduce the attainment gap and ensure we have a system that is a source of pride and public confidence.”