(Title Image: Welsh Government, Crown Copyright)
The last major piece of legislation of the Fifth Senedd reached a key stage yesterday, as a second round of amendments to the Curriculum & Assessments Bill were tabled and debated in the Senedd chamber.
At a Glance Guide
Stage 1 report (summary)
- The Bill sets out the legislative framework for the new National Curriculum for Wales, which will be rolled out from September 2022.
- Some areas of the new curriculum will be subject to statutory codes set by the Welsh Government, including what students should learn at each stage as well as the new area of learning called relationship and sexuality education (RSE).
- There are proposed regulatory changes to religious education, which will be developed on a local authority basis via an advisory council including representatives from non-religious philosophies. Sixth-formers will be able to opt themselves out from collective acts of worship, while parents can opt-out under-16s on request.
Major Changes at Stage 2
Stage 2 proceedings were undertaken by the Children & Young People’s Committee in tandem with the Member in charge, Education Minister, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor).
The key changes at Stage 2 include:
- The Bill specifically makes English mandatory above the age of 7 only for reasons of Welsh-language immersion (in Welsh-medium schools and nurseries).
- The religious traditions of Wales (rather than Great Britain) will be the basis upon which Religion, Values & Ethics (the replacement for RE) will be provided, while faith schools will need to “have due regard” for the locally-agreed syllabus for RVE.
- Headteachers and school governors will have a specific duty to have regard to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of students in how they deliver the curriculum.
The Key Amendments at Stage 3
Amendment 1 – Suzy Davies MS (Con, South Wales West)
Makes “Lifesaving skills and first aid” a mandatory element in the areas of learning.
Amendment withdrawn (there was a commitment from the Minister to make it mandatory in statutory guidance for the curriculum).
Amendment 4 – Suzy Davies MS
Ensures menstrual health is included within the proposed statutory code for Relationship & Sexuality Education.
Vote: Rejected – 25 for, 29 against
Amendment 7 – Suzy Davies MS
Allows headteachers and governing bodies to delay the introduction of the new curriculum for up to a year due to delays in preparations caused by Covid-19.
Vote: Rejected – 14 for, 37 against, 3 abstentions
Amendment 12 – Suzy Davies MS
Requires the Welsh Government to carry out mandatory reviews of curriculum implementation, starting within 12 months after the Act receives Royal Assent and then annually for five years.
Vote: Rejected – 22 for, 31 against, 1 abstention
Amendment 18 – Suzy Davies MS
Establishes a complaints procedure regarding the teaching of Religion, Values & Ethics.
Vote: Rejected – 15 for, 37 against, 2 abstentions
Amendment 19 – Darren Millar MS (Con, Clwyd West)
Allows parents to withdraw their children from Religion, Values & Ethics education.
Vote: Rejected – 14 for, 40 against
Amendment 20 – Darren Millar MS
Allows parents to withdraw their children from Relationship & Sexuality Education.
Vote: Rejected – 14 for, 40 against
Amendment 28 – Darren Millar MS
Allows pupils, or parents of pupils, to request Religion, Value & Ethics is taught to them in accordance with a particular religious belief or faith.
Vote: Rejected – 14 for, 40 against
Amendment 31 – Education Minister, Kirsty Williams
Places a duty on headteachers and governors to promote UN conventions on children’s rights and the rights of the disabled.
Vote: Approved – 48 for, 5 against
Amendment 41 – Darren Millar MS
Ensures the Relationship & Sexuality Education statutory code includes reference to the importance of long-term relationships – particularly marriage – to the upbringing of children and how different values impact individual views on sex and relationships.
Vote: Rejected – 13 for, 39 against, 2 abstentions
Amendment 43 – Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid, Arfon)
Makes “Welsh history and Welsh BAME history” a mandatory element in the areas of learning.
Vote: Rejected – 20 for, 31 against, 2 abstentions
Amendment 51 – Llyr Gruffydd MS (Plaid, North Wales)
Makes “Climate Crisis & Ecological Emergency” a mandatory element in the areas of learning.
Vote: Rejected – 20 for, 31 against, 3 abstentions
