Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ82704

We are aware of the significant issues around wellbeing and learning experienced by those in the qualifications years (years 11, 12 and 13), in terms of their confidence to move to the next stage of their course or their next steps in their education (whether that be in schools, FE and HE). Supporting learners in years 11, 12 and 13 has been highlighted as one of the key priorities as we respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to enable them to have the best opportunity to progress to their next phase of education, training or employment.

Funding has been allocated to support learners before they start their next academic year (20231/22) ensure they are given the opportunity to maximise their learning and to prepare for their chosen post-16 pathway.

Specific funding has been provided to Local Authorities to enable schools to develop and deliver programmes of transition support. Guidance has also been issued to schools and colleges to support their decisions in regard to this funding (Transition funding for learners in year 11 and learners in year 12 and 13 studying AS/A levels: guidance | GOV.WALES).

Examples of what can be delivered by schools and colleges include:

• Virtual open events

• School/college engagement events where colleges work closely with local schools

• On-site and/or virtual transition events

• Skills support sessions to provide opportunities for year 11 learners to attend college

• Encouraging learners to access resources relevant to learner’s A’ level subject and career aspiration

• Engagement with current year 12 learners to offer subject specific encouragement, insights and mentoring

• Provide tutorial activities – either face to face or through a Blended Learning approach

• Summer activities for sports academies, MAT learners and any other groups of learners identified as needing specific engagement

• Wellbeing support and learner development activities such as team working, time management, organisational skills, vision, citizen skills.

• Engagement with Careers Wales

• Study Skills sessions delivered by local universities such as note taking, research skills, etc

More widely the Welsh Government has provided a comprehensive range of support to learners in these specific exam year cohorts. Some examples of which are detailed below.

In 2020-21 over £1.9m was invested in a project to deliver a suite of resources targeted at the WJEC examinations through different models. The suite of resources include: