Annual review report Welsh in Education Strategic Plan

Key Achievements / Highlights

The Capital programme is moving forward to expand the provision across the borough in childcare and school places.

The promotional animation video is nearing completion and will be published alongside the revised wording in the Starting School booklet for 2023-24.

The transition rate between Primary and Secondary school remains high at 97%.

There remains a substantial offer for out of school opportunities delivered through Menter Iaith, the Urdd and the Youth Service.

All schools remain committed to further development of the Welsh language in their provision.

Overall Plan Summary

The target for the Local Authority by 2032 is 26% of year 1 learners to be in Welsh medium education.

However, currently the percentage has decreased slightly to 17.5% in year 1 and 15.6% in nursery.

Forward Look Milestones

During 2023-24 the priorities are:

Establish promotional campaigns to increase the numbers starting nursery in Welsh medium education as well as those transferring to Primary school and on to Secondary school.
Develop website and information available to parents to inform choices and enable improved monitoring and accountability by the Welsh in Education Forum using the data trend.
Complete a number of capital projects to increase places in childcare and Primary school.
Increase the Welsh speaking workforce across Education, childcare and school teams.
Increase the provision for children with ALN to meet the increasing demand.

Outcome 1 – More nursery children / three year olds receive their education through the medium of Welsh.

Key Annual Data

PLASC data 2023: There are 339 children in nursery taught through the medium of Welsh which equates to 15.6% of children in the borough.

There are 11 Cylch Meithrin across the borough. However, 4 Cylch have categorised themselves as Welsh and English groups not Welsh medium.

Mudiad Meithrin transition data only represents data from membership groups:

Cylch Meithrin	total children transferred to school	number transferred to Welsh medium	number transferred to English medium	Percentage
Coed Duon	15	8	7	53.33%
Cwm Derwen	15	14	1	93.33%
Cwm Gwydoon	15	13	2	86.67%
Ifor Bach	26	26	0	100.00%
Nelson	9	9	0	100.00%
Penpedairheol	9	7	2	77.78%
Pontllanfraith	11	5	6	45.45%
Rhymni (meithrin Mwy)	13	13	0	100.00%
Rhymni 1 a 2	27	19	8	70.37%
Tedi Twt	24	21	3	87.50%
Tonyfelin	24	24	0	100.00%
Yr Enfys	13	11	2	84.62%

The data shows 4 Cylchoedd have 100% transition rates and 2 Cylchoedd have very poor transition rates below 60%. Both the Cylch with poor transition rates are not on school site. The capital project to move Coed Duon closer to Ysgol Trelyn in 2024 aims to improve transition rate.

The Flying Start contracted childcare setting data:

1. Welsh Medium Setting	8
2. Welsh Medium and English Medium Setting	4
3. English Medium Setting with some bilingual elements	59
4. English Medium Setting	2

NB: the category 2 settings are all Cylchoedd Meithrin with significant numbers of Welsh learner staff.

Flying Start data return for 2022-23:

47 children accessed Welsh medium places which equated to 12.4%

There was an overall 80% take up rate in Flying Start childcare in 2022-23.

Outcome Summary

Flying Start childcare expansion began its development from January 2023 with implementation from April 2023. The Early Years team are working with the whole childcare sector to support them to tender to deliver Flying Start childcare places along with other contracted placements. Settings have to complete pre-delivery checks and develop a Setting Improvement Plan to show how they will work towards meeting the quality required.

The Early Years team are working with Mudiad Meithrin to develop Welsh medium childcare as well as ensure all our Cylch feel able to declare themselves as Welsh medium on their SASS and other returns to CIW and Estyn. There is a need to develop more Welsh Medium provision during 2023-24 in Llanbradach, Aberbargoed, and later (circa 2025-26) in Trethomas. Of the 75 childcare providers contracted for Flying Start childcare 12 deliver Welsh or Welsh and English in their provision.

During the expansion phase there has been a focus on developing Ti A Fi to stimulate the demand for Welsh medium provision. The Ti a Fi in White Rose, New Tredegar is struggling with numbers and so the rent for the hall has been underwritten to March 2024 to aid sustainability while growing the interest locally. The Ti a Fi developed in Ysgol Bro Sannan aims to grow the demand from families while Mudiad Meithrin develop and register the Cylch. There is small capital works planned on site to ensure the setting will meet CIW registration requirements. A new Ti a Fi is being developed in Llanbradach to support growing the demand for a new Cylch in the community centre.

This year a lot of work has been undertaken to rewrite sections of the Starting School Booklet to promote Welsh medium Education to families. This is due for publication in Sept 2023.

The Early Years Hub (which incorporates the Family Information Service) has recently recruited a Welsh speaker. The Hub Officer will take responsibility for promotion of provision for vulnerable families and Welsh language, which aims to provide consistency of information to families. The Early Years Hub continues to work in collaboration with Mudiad Meithrin and Cymraeg I Blant to promote provision to families.

The animation ‘Becoming Bilingual’ is nearing completion and will be available on the CCBC website and Early Years website as well as part of a marketing campaign to promote choices to families.

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment gave a good overview of provision, but more detailed assessments have been completed on local areas when looking to develop new provision which have been more in line with School development plans.

Transport remains a challenge for families, especially those in part time Nursery and those wishing to access the new Immersion Unit. However, we are working with the Senior Leaderships Team for the Immersion Unit and our Secondary School to develop an innovative solution for the small groups of dispersed learners who may wish to access the Immersion Unit.

Implementation and Monitoring

Updates are brought to the Welsh in Education Forum to ensure development of Cylchoedd is on track. Data has been developed this year to be presented in a more usable format to members of the forum.

Outcome Level Risks

It was a concern that 4 Cylchoedd have declared themselves to be Welsh and English; one of which was following an Estyn inspection and recommendation. Mudiad Meithrin is supporting the Welsh learner staff in the Cylchoedd to develop their skills and confidence to restore the Cylchoedd to delivering Welsh immersion sessions.

There is a challenge in recruitment of Welsh speaking staff to the childcare sector. There is promotion to staff to learn Welsh and develop their skills. However, this will take time to be seen in delivery of Welsh immersion childcare sessions.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

The LA has supported development of Ti a Fi to stimulate demand from families and create future sustainability. The LA has worked with Cylchoedd and Mudiad Meithrin Officers to support sustainability over 2022-23 especially where there have been concerns over falling numbers and financial management in the setting.

Outcome 2 – More reception class children / five year olds receive their education through the medium of Welsh.

Key Annual Data

PLASC data set 2023: There are 335 children in year 1 in Welsh medium which equates to 17.5%, of whom, 17 (5%) are children from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Outcome Summary

Capital programme update:

Welsh medium childcare and nursery at Ysgol Y Castell – capital works completed.

New school and childcare provision for Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon – works due to completion Autumn 2023.

Welsh medium Childcare at Ysgol Ifor Bach – tender has been awarded with project completion due by March 2024.

Welsh medium Childcare at Pengam library – tender has been awarded with project completion due by March 2024.

Ysgol Penalltau – tender came in over budget so will need to request a variation to be able to proceed.

Ysgol Cwm Derwen – awaiting tender prior to progressing.

Ysgol Bro Allta – works underway and due for completion Autumn 2023. Small capital programme works for childcare development on site for Clwb Carco.

The plans to build a new school to replace Ysgol Y Lawnt on a shared campus, have been submitted to Scrutiny and Cabinet and are now progressing to development of the full business case. Childcare needs are being considered in the planning stage and a bid will be submitted in future childcare capital rounds post 2025.

During 2022-23 there has been a significant development in Welsh immersion provision. Our new immersion centre Canolfan Gwenllian has opened in Ysgol Gilfach Fargod with an enthusiastic team to lead its development on behalf of the Welsh medium cluster. There are 2 childrne wanting to return to Welsh medium provision and we have our first pupil wishing to access the facility in September 2023. We are working together to explore longer term sustainable transport solutions for the centre to minimise barriers for families. We have developed information for our Starting School Booklet to begin the promotion to families. However, there is a promotional campaign being planned for 2023-24 including posters / pamphlets and Twitter posts to ensure families understand how to access the provision. The team are eager to attend the National Network meetings to develop the provision.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Welsh in Education Forum has oversight and updates at each forum, with the promotion task group developing the promotional activity in line with completion of capital works.

Outcome Level Risks

The Local Authority level risks mainly concern the costs increasing exponentially for all capital works as well as the limited number of contractors submitting tenders for the projects.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

The remaining legacy childcare capital projects are on track to complete March 2024. However, future childcare capital projects have focussed on refurbishment of existing buildings instead of new build projects which appears to be more cost and time effective, as well as appeal to a wider range of contractors.

Outcome 3 – More children continue to improve their Welsh language skills when transferring from one stage of their statutory education to another.

Key Annual Data

PLASC data set: Pre-covid the transition rate between Primary phase and Secondary phase been a high percentage. However, in Sept 2022 while the transition rate remained high there was a slight decrease of 10 pupils not transferring to Welsh medium Secondary school which equated to 97% transition rate year 6 to year 7.

Outcome Summary

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni has worked closely with its cluster primary schools to develop positive transition arrangements. The schools work collaboratively on events and transition sessions to promote the provision to pupils.

In recent years since the pandemic there has been concern that children and young people have had their immersion experiences impacted and this has meant that some learners have chosen to move from Welsh medium to English medium schools. In response to this, schools have worked hard to develop Welsh immersion materials to support children to catch up as well as supporting parents to learn Welsh, so they feel better able to support their child.

While the transition rate continues to remain high it has decreased slightly since 2021. Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni remain focussed on supporting the transition of pupils from Ysgol Gynradd to Ysgol Gyfun and will continue to explore innovative ways to increase the transition rate towards 100%.

Year	Year 6 number	Year 7 number	Percentage transition to year 7
2017	352	334	94.89%
2018	355	337	94.93%
2019	336	331	98.51%
2020	329	320	97.26%
2021	356	352	98.88%
2022	336	326	97.00%

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni continues to promote sixth form opportunities to young people and retains many students into year 12 and 13 to further their qualifications. Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni works closely with Coleg y Cymoedd to support learners to continue their Welsh language while undertaking vocational qualifications.

An area of development in 2024 is to explore the numbers of in-year transition from Welsh medium to English medium school. There is a feeling that since the pandemic more children have moved out of Welsh medium education, but this is currently anecdotal and needs a tracking pilot to identify the reality of the context.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Welsh in Education Forum has oversight although the data set has been in development over the last year to enable greater accessibility and understanding.

Outcome Level Risks

Transition rates continue to remain a focus to ensure the LA works towards meeting the target to increase the number of learners in Welsh medium education.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

Cluster collaboration and development of transition events aids the transition of pupils between primary and secondary phase.

Outcome 4 – More learners study for assessed qualifications in Welsh (as a subject) and subjects through the medium of Welsh.

Key Annual Data

PLASC data set 2022

Qualification Title	Year 11	%	Year 13
WJEC Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Welsh Second Language	1377	70.0%	0	0.0%
WJEC Entry Level Certificate in Welsh Second Language (Entry 3)	7	0.4%	0	0.0%
WJEC Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Welsh Language	287	14.6%	1	0.2%
WJEC Entry Level Award in Welsh Second Language (Entry 2)	10	0.5%	0	0.0%
WJEC Level 1/Level 2 GCSE in Welsh Literature	139	7.1%	0	0.0%
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Welsh Second Language	0	0.0%	12	3.0%
WJEC Level 3 Advanced GCE in Welsh Second Language	0	0.0%	6	1.5%
WJEC Level 3 Advanced GCE in Welsh First Language	0	0.0%	7	1.7%
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Welsh First Language	0	0.0%	8	2.0%
Cohort	1968		401

E-sgol will be explored moving forwards to identify if needed for minority subject areas.

Outcome Summary

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni offers a range of subjects at both GCSE and A level, including both academic and vocational routes. Alongside Welsh qualifications there are a range of academic and vocational qualifications taught through the medium of Welsh. These are promoted on the Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni website as well as the new Caerphilly Pathways website actively promoting career pathways to young people. Find a Course (caerphillypathways.co.uk)

The A level in Welsh second language is actively promoted through the Caerphilly pathways website showing course content and clear progression routes to higher education and employment. There will also be case studies which are currently under development. Course: Welsh (Second Language) (caerphillypathways.co.uk)

The Education Achievement Service was conducting a thematic survey around Welsh in the curriculum in the summer term 2023. However, there were complications to the full implementation of the survey which we hope will be resolved to enable completion in the autumn term 2023.

Coleg Gwent continues to expand the number of subjects it delivers in Welsh.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Welsh in Education Forum receives updates from the Education Achievement Service representative regularly and will have access to the data in future to enable full monitoring of the trend.

Outcome Level Risks

There is a current national and local risk regarding budgets and falling numbers of pupils which may impact the delivery of the breadth of subjects moving forwards. This will be monitored.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

There is consideration of E-sgol to continue access to subjects with decreasing or low take up.

Outcome 5 – More opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in school.

Key Annual Data

Every school in the borough is committed to achieving the Siarter Iaith or Campus Cymraeg.

In the last year 3 have received Gold award e.g., Ysgol Penalltau, and many have achieved Silver award e.g., Fochriw Primary.

Outcome Summary

Menter Iaith work closely with the Urdd and the Youth Service to fund a Youth Officer who works in Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and the Hanger (EOTAS provision) as well as in out of school activities.

In the last year there has been a challenge in recruiting tutors to deliver Welsh medium education in EOTAS but the Youth Officer has enabled them to continue studies in Welsh. Recently the EOTAS team has had 2 pupils achieve an A / B in GCSE Welsh and they are hoping more will sit and achieve the Welsh qualification moving forwards due to the support from the Youth Officer.

The provision at Virgina Park is nearing completion and the Youth Club will move from Y Gwindy when the Virginia Park provision opens. This is very positive to give Welsh Youth provision a space in the main Youth hub in Caerphilly basin. However, there now needs consideration of Welsh medium Youth provision across the borough.

Menter Iaith has consulted with young people to develop the provision they would like to see in the summer holidays.

Menter Iaith collaborate with a range of partners to develop Ffilifest every July promoting Welsh language to the wider public and supporting families to see the benefits of bilingualism.

The Education Achievement Service continues to support schools to progress through the Siarter Iaith / Campus Cymraeg to embed Welsh language opportunities across the curriculum and the life of the school

Implementation and Monitoring

Menter Iaith and Urdd are key members of the Welsh in Education Forum and continue to provide updates and engage partners actively in events and future developments.

Outcome Level Risks

There continues to be a concern that funding is annual and under pressure with the pressures on budgets, even though this is a critical area of work for learners and their communities.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

Use of the Integrated Impact Assessment prior to any budget decisions being made enables the wider impacts to be noted and considered.

Outcome 6 – An increase in the provision of Welsh medium education for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) in accordance with the duties imposed by the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

Key Annual Data

PLASC 2023

There were 2871 children (12.5%) with ALN in English medium schools.

There were 355 children (7.7%) with ALN in Welsh medium schools.

Outcome Summary

There has been substantial investment in schools to upskill staff to meet the needs of children and young people and comply with the Additional Learning Needs Act and the Education Tribunal (Wales) 2018.

There has been an active recruitment for Welsh speaking specialist staff which has been successful. Currently 6 of the 12 Advisory/Specialist/EHE team are Welsh speaking which has enhanced the support to schools and the most vulnerable learners.

There is a Specialist Resource Base in Ysgol Cwm Derwen, and a further specialist provision will be developed on the new Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon site. In addition, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni has a specialist provision called Hafan at the Gwyndy and Y Ganolfan at the Gellihaf site where our Secondary age young people who need more specific support can feel included.

Welsh medium education is actively promoted in early years regardless of a child’s additional needs, highlighting the support in our Welsh medium has been substantial investment in schools to upskill staff to meet the needs of children schools.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Welsh in Education Forum members receive updates from the Specialist Teacher representative who attends the forum.

Outcome Level Risks

There appears to be increasing numbers of children and young people being identified with ALN since the pandemic which is putting pressure on staff, schools and budgets to meet the needs of all learners.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

There continues to be an ongoing focus on Additional Learning Provision and meeting the needs of all learners.

Outcome 7 – Increase the number of teaching staff able to teach Welsh (as a subject) and teach through the medium of Welsh.

Key Annual Data

PLASC 2023:

	Primary School	Primary School	Secondary School	Secondary School
TC Qualified teachers teaching Welsh as a first language	120	16%	144	21%
TW Qualified teachers teaching Welsh as a second language only	566	75%	32	5%
TO Qualified teachers teaching other subjects through the medium of Welsh	0	0%	0	0%
NW Qualified teachers able to teach Welsh or through the medium of Welsh, but not doing so	43	6%	25	4%
NT Not qualified to teach Welsh or through the medium of Welsh	23	3%	471	70%

Currently 6 of the 12 Advisory/Specialist/EHE team are Welsh speaking which has enhanced the support to schools and the most vulnerable learners.

Vacancies	Welsh medium	English medium
Primary School	8	57
Secondary School	0	47

Outcome Summary

There have been identified pressures on the workforce in the last year especially the Welsh speaking workforce. All partners are working hard to consider innovative methods to recruitment and development of Welsh speaking professionals.

Targeted recruitment in the Specialist/Advisory/EHE team has meant 6 of the 12 staff in the team are Welsh speakers. This enables those specialist staff with the expertise in Welsh to have positive conversation with families, children, and staff in schools to continue the child’s education in Welsh medium provision. This has been a very positive step forward.

The Education Achievement Service have focussed on professional learning for strategic leadership for Welsh Language and a thematic review in the summer term 2023, which will ensure that Welsh is included in the School Development Plans moving forwards. In addition, there are a number of staff involved in the sabbatical scheme.

There are a substantial number of staff needed moving forwards across the whole of Education including Early Years and Schools to maintain legislative compliance. Currently there have been a number of successful collaborative leadership appointments for head teacher positions.

Early Years have developed trainee posts to enable wider recruitment of staff, enable them to actively engage with the qualification while gaining an understanding in a variety of work placements across early years. There is a need to learn conversational Welsh alongside the level 2 qualification, which will support growth in the workforce. In addition, all early years staff are offered training in Welsh language to develop their skills with the aim towards a bilingual workforce.

The Caerphilly CBC workforce Welsh language audit will be completed in the autumn term to gain an understanding of the breadth of Welsh speakers across the council including schools.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Welsh in Education Forum members receive updates from members who attend the forum.

Outcome Level Risks

There continues to be workforce pressures locally and nationally.

Assurance / Mitigation Action

Trainee posts and apprenticeship schemes are being explored. The pressures are being raised nationally to look at funded training opportunities / contracts, which remain outside of the scope of local authorities.

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