Written question WQ100122

Local authorities are responsible for planning school places.

The School Organisation Code (March 2026) imposes requirements on those who submit proposals to reorganise schools and sets out general principles that should be considered.

Our Cymraeg 2050 strategy clearly emphasises the important role education plays in helping us meet our ambitions of a million Welsh speakers. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 requires each local authority to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) setting out how it will improve the planning of the provision of education through the medium of Welsh in its area; improve the standards of Welsh-medium education; and of the teaching of Welsh in its area. All 22 plans have been in place since September 2022, and local authorities have been proactive in their implementation.

The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 provides a new framework for developing all learners' Welsh language skills. Under the new arrangements, all schools, regardless of their language category, will over time strengthen their Welsh language provision with the aim that all pupils have a fair opportunity to develop their Welsh language skills and, ultimately, leave school as confident and independent Welsh speakers.

The Act will introduce a statutory minimum provision of Welsh, a national language continuum, and new statutory categories for describing the linguistic provision of schools. These arrangements will support sustainable growth in Welsh language provision across Wales.