Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how her priorities on attainment differ from that outlined by the previous Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in his statement on 23 January 2024?
Since taking up post as Cabinet Secretary for Education, I have reflected on our recent educational attainment as well as on the long tail of challenges arising from the pandemic. I am clear that we need to aim higher, in particular to raise levels of attainment and close the gap for the poorest children in Wales.
I agree with my predecessor that we need a clearer focus on national priorities and a clear national role in leading improvement. Last week I set out my immediate areas of focus: mental health as a foundation for learning; continued roll-out of curriculum for Wales with additional support for the sector around design, progression and assessment; a firm legislative basis and strengthened implementation of our ALN reforms; and raising post-16 participation.