Committee publishes its report on the proposals for 14-19 Learning Pathways legislation
The Assembly’s Proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure Committee has welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposals for legislation to drive forward the Learning Pathways policy for 14-19yr olds.
The Committee’s report considers the general principles of the proposed Measure which will be considered by the Assembly in Plenary on 9 December. View the Committee report.
The Committee agrees with the underlying aim of the proposed Measure and supports the need for legislation to drive forward the policy agenda. The proposed Measure aims to drive collaboration between Schools and FE colleges to increase the choice of courses for pupils and gives each pupil an individual Learning Pathways document which records his or her learning pathway.
However, the Committee has identified a number of barriers to the successful implementation of the proposed Measure and has called on the Minister to bring forward amendments to the proposed Measure at Stage 2 and to address a number of other issues before commencement of the Measure.
The areas of concern include:
Grounds for decisions on entitlement, including an appeals process;
Excluded pupils;
Consultation when planning local area curricula;
The duty to consider collaboration;
Funding structures;
The use of IT in delivering collaboration;
Training regulations;
The ability for pupils with additional learning needs to participate;
Learner Support Services;
Welsh-medium provision and the Welsh medium education strategy;
Impact on faith schools;
Implementation timescale;
Assessment of costs – as outlined by the Finance Committee Report.
Jeff Cuthbert AM, Chair of the Committee, said:
“This proposed Measure represents a revolution in education for 14-19yr olds. There are already many good examples of collaboration across Wales, providing increased choice for pupils but it is important that this best practice is now driven forward by legislation. Given the importance of this legislation it is vital that implementation is carefully planned and is successful and our report identifies those areas that need further consideration.”
Further information on the proposed Measure and the legislative process can be found at: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/bus-legislative-meas-nhsrrev.htm
Note for editors
The next stages of the Measure’s consideration are:
Stage 1 debate in plenary; (date set by WAG)
Stage 2 in Committee – a formal process for consideration of amendments to the proposed Measure; (timetable to be set by Business Committee)
Stage 3 in Plenary – a formal process for consideration of amendments to the proposed Measure; (date set by WAG)
Stage 4 – a vote on the proposed Measure in plenary
Members of the Committee are: Christine Chapman, Jeff Cuthbert (Chair), Andrew RT Davies, Janet Ryder, Kirsty Williams.