The time was right to visit Wales, as they are developing a new curriculum framework for 2022. I also happened to arrive in Cardiff in time for the spirited St David's Day concert at St David's Hall. Wales also lowered its voting age for the National Assembly to 16 at the start of 2020 - I wish we could follow suit in South Australia! | |
My week began with an overview of the collaborative process to write the curriculum framework from Rhys Davies at Education Wales. The Welsh Government, regional consortia and schools have made serious investment so far in empowering teachers to be the curriculum designers, with panels formed to design the guidance for each Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE).
History will be part of the Humanities AoLE and the curriculum framework is hot off the press. I met with Nicky Hagendyk who led the Humanities AoLE group from 2017 onwards, to learn more about how it was constructed collaboratively. Fellow Humanities group member Dr Huw Griffiths also gave me his point of view as a member of the group with a passion for Welsh history. Much more about curriculum development will feature in my report but for now I'll just draw your attention to the word cynefin that features in the introduction to the Humanities. It is defined there as:
History will be part of the Humanities AoLE and the curriculum framework is hot off the press. I met with Nicky Hagendyk who led the Humanities AoLE group from 2017 onwards, to learn more about how it was constructed collaboratively. Fellow Humanities group member Dr Huw Griffiths also gave me his point of view as a member of the group with a passion for Welsh history. Much more about curriculum development will feature in my report but for now I'll just draw your attention to the word cynefin that features in the introduction to the Humanities. It is defined there as:
The place where we feel we belong, where the people and landscape around us are familiar, and the sights and sounds are reassuringly recognisable. Though often translated as 'habitat', cynefin is not just a place in a physical or geographical sense: it is the historic, cultural and social place which has shaped and continues to shape the community which inhabits it.
As always, visiting schools and speaking with teachers and students was a highlight. Huw arranged for me to visit St Joseph's Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre (Port Talbot), Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, and Ysgol Penboyr. The panels of students at St Joseph's and Penboyr were exceptionally articulate when sharing their learning with me, while the students at Welsh-medium school Bro Myrddin did an excellent job of presenting their work to me in English at short notice!
As well as understanding the situation within the education sector, I had an opportunity to learn more about some external perspectives. In November 2019, the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee of the National Assembly published its report on the Teaching of Welsh History. I was unable to meet with committee chair as she is about to go on maternity leave, but was able to track down Dr Elin Jones who wrote a similar report in 2013. Elin is a stalwart of promoting Welsh language, history and culture and gave me a long term insights into this issue.
Elin introduced me to Alun Morgan, who chairs the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative, which will be of great interest to the History Council of SA and others. I also had a chance to meet with Colin Wheldon James from the Swansea Branch of the Historical Association to understand this organisation's work locally and across the UK, which includes publishing the Teaching HIstory journal.
The new curriculum is at a turning point, with schools not involved in the process so far being brought into the fold. There will be staggered implementation starting with Year 7s in 2022. I will continue to monitor its progress with interest.
With a quick visit to St Fagans National Museum of History on my last day, so concluded my visit to the United Kingdom. Now it's time for my final destination: the USA.
THANK YOU:
As well as understanding the situation within the education sector, I had an opportunity to learn more about some external perspectives. In November 2019, the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee of the National Assembly published its report on the Teaching of Welsh History. I was unable to meet with committee chair as she is about to go on maternity leave, but was able to track down Dr Elin Jones who wrote a similar report in 2013. Elin is a stalwart of promoting Welsh language, history and culture and gave me a long term insights into this issue.
Elin introduced me to Alun Morgan, who chairs the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative, which will be of great interest to the History Council of SA and others. I also had a chance to meet with Colin Wheldon James from the Swansea Branch of the Historical Association to understand this organisation's work locally and across the UK, which includes publishing the Teaching HIstory journal.
The new curriculum is at a turning point, with schools not involved in the process so far being brought into the fold. There will be staggered implementation starting with Year 7s in 2022. I will continue to monitor its progress with interest.
With a quick visit to St Fagans National Museum of History on my last day, so concluded my visit to the United Kingdom. Now it's time for my final destination: the USA.
THANK YOU:
- Sian Hughes at Senedd Research, whose briefing paper for the National Assembly was my starting point
- Kat Short, CFASA President, and her brother Michael, for your guidance
- The Minister for Education's office for referring my query to Rhys Davies, and to Rhys for laying the groundwork for my trip and the initial briefing
- Nicky Hagendyk from EAS South East Wales for making time to see me in a busy week
- Huw Griffiths from ERW South West Wales for his exceptional hospitality and unforgettable navigation through the countryside
- Eugene Scourfield, Adam Jones, and James Gow at St Joseph's - please thank your panel of students again for me
- Elin Jones and Rhian Caruthers at Bro Myrddin, for the chance to see a Welsh-medium lesson in action and to talk about the connections to the Maths AoLE
- Carol James, staff and students at Ysgol Penboyr - good luck for this year's competition!
- Colin Wheldon James from the Historical Association Swansea Branch for a better understanding of the HA and lunch
- Alun Morgan for sharing how the WHSI works and a bonus Welsh cake
- And last but not least, Elin Jones for your forthright views and expertise on Welsh history, culture and language