Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government’s involvement in, or support for, the WISERD education multi cohort study and how to ensure that young people who leave school at 16 to enter FE, work or other opportunities can be effectively tracked as part of the work?
The Welsh Government currently funds the WISERD Multi Cohort Study (WMCS). This is a longitudinal study that has been running for a number of years, but which the Welsh Government started to fund in 2020. It focuses on pupils in twelve comprehensive schools. Surveys of pupils in those schools are usually carried out on an annual basis and contain questions on their views about school, family and friends, confidence and aspirations, politics and society. The WMCS provides insights into the views and experiences of secondary school-aged learners and will highlight issues requiring further investigation. The WMCS is not, however, concerned with tracking school leavers.