On Friday 12 May, after many delays, the Welsh Government published its new statutory guidance for local authorities. This was almost exactly a year after Education Minister, Jeremy Miles MS, had informed Senedd that his Department was “seeking further evidence in support of the proposals…” He added: The unforeseen delay… Read More »New Guidance Published – Warts and All
Agenda item 5 of a Senedd Plenary session held on 8 February was a Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s Report – ‘Pupil Absence.’ This Report was tabled on 14 November 2022, and we have commented on it previously. CYPEC Chair Jane Bryant opened the debate by… Read More »Senedd Plenary – 8 February 2023
Last year the Children Young People & Education Committee [CYPEC] held a short inquiry on pupil absence from schools. One of the Terms of Reference asked whether absenteeism had resulted in a higher level of pupil de-registration and any cross-over with elective home education. The Inquiry’s findings were written up… Read More »Welsh Government response to CYPEC report on Pupil Absence
On 9 December 2022 Laura Anne Jones MS (South Wales East), Shadow Minister for Education, tabled Written Question WQ86963 in which she asked: “What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the legal advice David Wolfe QC provided on the elective home education proposals in response to the consultation on… Read More »Written Question answered on 16 December
On 30 November, the Welsh Government released its formal response to the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ Annual Report 2021-22, which had been published on 11 October. In her Cabinet Statement, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt, MS, noted that this report reflected the final year of Prof Sally Holland’s> term… Read More »Welsh Government response to the Children´s Commissioner for Wales Annual Report 2022
The Children, Young People and Education Committee (CYPEC) was established by the Senedd to “look at policy and legislation, and to hold the Welsh Government to account in specific areas including children and young people; education; and health, care services, and social care as they relate to children and young… Read More »CYPEC Report on Pupil Absence
Leader of the Opposition Andrew R. T. Davies (South Wales Central) tabled two Written Questions on 24 October. Both concerned the provision of funding for the role of elective home education coordinators. The first (WQ86402) read: “Will the Minister confirm whether or not Welsh Government funding for the role of… Read More »Written Questions answered on 3, 8 and 17 November
Two recent exchanges about elective home education suggest that the Government hasn’t yet been able to finalise its proposals. On 11 October, in response to a Business Statement by the Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, Shadow Minister for Education Laura Anne Jones asked: “The second statement that I’d like to request… Read More »Senedd Plenary – 11 & 18 October 2022
Two written questions have recently been asked about contact between the Welsh Government and the UK Government in connection with home education. On 28 September Mark Isherwood MS (Con. Regional Member) asked Minister Jeremy Miles the following: Written Question – WQ86159 “To what extent did the Welsh Government liaise with… Read More »Written Questions – Answered on 5 & 17 October 2022
The summer recess for the Welsh Assembly was followed almost instantly by the period of national mourning for the late Queen. Together these made it feel as though Senedd had been closed down for much longer than usual. Consequently, August and a good part of September were remarkable for their… Read More »Senedd Plenary – 20 September 2022
