Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education
Today, I am pleased to launch a consultation on 16 to 18 local curricula guidance.
The guidance sets out Medr’s duties as they assume responsibility for the formation of local curricula for learners aged 16 to 18 from April 2026. It will support Medr as they accelerate the development of a more collaborative, learner-centred tertiary education system. Working with local authorities, schools and further education institutions (FEIs), Medr will ensure that learners have access to a broad choice of general and vocational courses, supporting participation and enabling learners to excel in their chosen pathway. The guidance also emphasises the importance of Medr promoting the Welsh language and, wherever possible, enabling learners to continue their studies through the medium of Welsh as they enter post-16 education.
Building on the strengths of the Curriculum for Wales and the 14 to 16 learner entitlement, the guidance also sets out Welsh Government’s expectations on the key elements of 16 to 18 learning. Alongside their main qualifications, learners should continue to develop their literacy and numeracy skills, and be supported to plan for their next steps, including through high quality, impartial careers education and advice. To provide clarity for Medr, schools and FEIs, the guidance also sets out Welsh Government’s policy on post-16 GCSE resits in English, Cymraeg and Mathematics, and our expectations for the use of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
During the 2026/27 academic year, Medr will develop their own guidance for curriculum planners and work with them to form the local curricula offers that will be available to learners from September 2027. These learners – the first ‘graduates’ of Curriculum for Wales – will benefit from local curricula that reflect their interests, are informed by the needs of the economy and labour market, and support successful progression into higher education or employment.
The consultation on this guidance will remain open until 31 March 2026. I encourage all those with an interest in post-16 learning to provide feedback on the guidance through the consultation.