Written question WQ99503
- Asked by
- Dan ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
Does the Welsh Government support Gwynedd Council's policy on phasing out English medium schools, and does the Government encourage other local authorities to follow suit?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language (Anna Brychan)
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.
Cyngor Gwynedd’s policy is a matter for the local authority having considered its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) and consulted with the school and wider community.
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 WESP setting out its proposals on how it will carry out its education functions to 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.