Written Statement: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan

As a government we have been clear that we will raise education standards and by the end of the Senedd term, Wales should see sustained improvement in literacy and numeracy for all learners. 

We have made strong progress in developing our Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan which will be published early in the autumn. I am also writing to schools and Local Authorities to notify them of this progress. My letter to schools is attached.

The plan will set out clear national indicators to track our educational progress as a nation. These will include publishing a range of national data including personalised assessments; qualifications, alongside wider information about the education system. It will include a baseline understanding of learners when they start school and a new age-related reading and numeracy indicator for Year 6 through personalised assessments.

This will also form the basis for stronger information sharing between schools and with local authorities: to help understand progress; as the basis for data-informed conversations about continuous school improvement and to improve support available for appropriate intervention.

The plan will take a 0-16 approach, recognising that children’s literacy and numeracy development begins before school and is supported by parents, carers, practitioners, schools, and wider services. It focuses on every learner and aims to close the attainment gap while supporting high standards for all. We will be led by the evidence: the Literacy Expert Group will continue, and I am establishing a parallel group in Numeracy. 

Alongside the plan, we will move quickly early in the autumn term to provide additional year-on-year detail giving absolute clarity about what learners need to know and when. We will simplify the guidance and ensure that it is unequivocal about the role of Systematic Synthetic Phonics, underpinned by a review of current practice and resources. The plan will also set out how we will provide clarity about assessment to support target setting for children, support for transition and identifying and supporting need early.

We will work with partners to ensure professional learning and support is available through national and local partners, including Dysgu and local authorities.

The plan will also set out the approach to libraries, ensuring a library space in every primary school by 2030, recognising the role books can play in fostering a love of reading. 

Delivery of the Plan will require close collaboration across the system. We will continue to work closely with schools, local authorities, Estyn and national bodies to ensure a consistent and coherent approach, grounded in practitioner expertise and effective practice. We cannot do this without them, and I thank them for their ongoing commitment to our learners as we build a shared national effort to support all children and young people to succeed.