Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I am launching today a consultation on the proposed changes to the 14-19 Learning Pathways policy. This follows my statement issued on 8 October, in which I announced the publication of the independent Task and Finish Group’s report on local collaborative provision at Key Stage 4 and the Welsh Government’s response to their recommendations.
I welcomed those recommendations and committed to move swiftly to consultation on the legislative, financial and 14-19 business planning and delivery changes that will be brought about as a consequence of the principle recommendation, which is to reduce the minimum size of the Key Stage 4 curriculum offer from 30 courses to 25 (of which 3 must be vocational).
As the main proposals for change came from an external review in which relevant stakeholder groups had already been engaged, this consultation will be for a shorter four week period. I am also mindful that a decision on the minimum size of the local curriculum offer at Key Stage 4 needs to be made as early as possible in the spring term to ensure that the disruption to local curriculum planners and learners in preparing for the next academic year is minimised.