Anna Brychan MS Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language

Cabinet responsibility for education, the Welsh Language, skills and tertiary education.

• School standards, improvement and pupil attainment
• School governance, organisation and admissions
• School funding policy including Local Authority Education Grant
• Curriculum and assessment arrangements
• Digital learning including Hwb and online safety
• Welsh medium and bilingual education
• Early childhood education
• Additional learning needs, including needs of pupils with severe, complex and/or specific learning difficulties, disabled pupils
• Support for people with Dyslexia
• Equity in Education including the whole school approach to mental health, attendance and safeguarding, behaviour and inclusion and community focussed schools
• Food and drink in schools including Free School Meals and Breakfasts, Milk and Healthy Eating
• Complaints against Local Education Authorities and school governing bodies
• Delivery and management of the Sustainable Communities for Learning capital programme
• Qualifications Wales
• Estyn work programme remit and funding
• Adnodd
• Pedagogy, Leadership and Professional Learning including initial teacher training
• Education Workforce engagement including Pay and Conditions (Independent Welsh Pay Review Body), Workload and Wellbeing
• Youth Work
• 14 – 19 Learner Pathways
• Policies to protect and promote the Welsh language
• Safeguarding in education settings

Personal history

Brychan is from Ceredigion, but has lived in Grangetown, Cardiff for over 25 years. Her father was the historian John Davies (Hanes Cymru/The History of Wales). She is married and has 3 sons.

Professional background

Brychan has held a number of education roles ranging from 10 years as Director of NAHT Cymru (a trade union and professional association for head teachers in Wales) to her most recent role Assistant Dean for Education and the Humanities at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Political history

Brychan held various roles within Plaid Cymru in the early years of devolution (2000-2004), including serving as communications lead and a period as the party’s Chief Executive.

In June 2025, Brychan was selected to contest the Caerdydd Penarth Senedd constituency in the 2026 Senedd election and was placed first on the party's list.

On 13 May 2026, Anna Brychan was appointed Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language.