Does the Welsh Government have any plans to make it mandatory for teaching staff at independent schools to register with the Education Workforce Council?
All independent schools in Wales are required to be registered with the Welsh Government. In order to register independent schools must comply with the independent school standards. Work has already commenced on updating the Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2003, this will also include updating the independent schools registration and operation guidance to ensure that they are strengthened and reflect current safeguarding guidance and practice. We will take this forward with key stakeholders, and the revised regulations and guidance will be subject to public consultation in due course.
Under section 157 of the Education Act 2002 proprietors of independent schools must comply with the Keeping Learners Safe statutory guidance for the purpose of meeting standards set out in regulations and exercise their functions in a way that takes into account the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. My officials are currently updating this guidance. The proposed revisions update the guidance in line with changes to legislation, particularly the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The guidance will continue to support schools, colleges, and other education settings, including independent schools to have robust safeguarding arrangements in place.
The Education (Wales) Act 2014 sets out the categories of those in the education workforce who are required to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC). Whilst these do not at present include those who work in the independent school sector, we are considering the implications of such a change. An important consideration is the extent to which changes would require primary and/or secondary legislation, and what steps would be needed to understand the potential impacts, including through formal consultation. I have instructed my officials to provide me with advice on making legislative amendments in relation to those who work in the independent school sector.