Latest news with #WelshLanguage
Sky News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News
London Welsh language school secures funding - but long-term future still in doubt
A Welsh language school in London threatened with closure after Wales's government said it was removing financial support has secured funding to stay open for another year - but doubts remain around its future. Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain in Hanwell, Ealing, currently receives a grant of £90,000 per year from the Welsh government. It had previously announced the funding would come to an end next March, but it has now agreed to continue providing the grant until the end of the academic year in August 2026. Once the agreement comes to an end, the funding will go towards other projects aimed at achieving the Cardiff government's target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Lead teacher Emilia Davies told Sky News the update from the government was "very great relief for parents and for staff". She said the grant funding was vital for the future of the school. "As a school, and as a community, we do a lot of fundraising every year as it is because £90,000 doesn't cover the cost to run a school, so we already do a lot of fundraising," she said. "So it's not possible, I don't think, to raise that amount of money." 'Want to support us' There are 12 pupils currently registered at the fee-paying school, but with 20 children in its mother and toddler group, there is "hope that there is a future". That's according to Eleri Brady, who has worked at the school for over 30 years. "Historically, the school has always been up and down in numbers," she said. "We've built from... six, 35 years ago; we built up and up until there were 40 on the books 20 years later. "So that's the story of the school, the numbers going up and going down." While the school is pleased to hear the support from the government will continue for a further five months, Ms Brady would like to see the Cardiff government go further. "We'd like them to say that they would continue that £90,000 annually," she said. "We don't want it just to finish in August 2026. We'd love them to confirm that they want to support us. "There are many schools in London from different countries, and their home countries support those schools. We'd love Wales to do that for us." The Welsh government said it had confirmed funding for Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain for the "full 2025 academic year". "As is the case with most grant schemes, our funding to promote the Welsh language is typically subject to annual applications, and we are therefore unable to confirm long-term funding beyond that point," the spokesperson added.
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Wrexham event for student winners at Coleg Cambria sites
Coleg Cambria held its annual awards for Further and Higher Education (FE and HE) and Work-based Learning (WBL) and Adult and Community Learning (ACL) at its Yale site in Wrexham. Caroline Street, Cambria's deputy chief executive for People Experiences and Culture, and head of Welsh language Llinos Roberts hosted proceedings over two nights, joined by parents and carers and staff. Further and Higher Education winners. Special guests were award-winning motivational speaker, author, and mentor Jackson Ogunyemi (Action Jackson), and Kamal Ellis-Hyman, an entrepreneur passionate about empowering young people to unlock their full potential. Read more: There were also performances by Cor Coleg Cambria, who will be appearing at the upcoming National Eisteddfod. "What an incredible year it's been at Coleg Cambria! Congratulations to each and every one of you on your amazing achievements," said chief executive Yana Williams. Caroline Street, Cambria's deputy chief executive for People Experiences and Culture. "We're so proud of all you've accomplished, and we're especially grateful to your families and supporters for the vital role they've played along the way. "You truly embody the spirit of the college and your hard work, dedication, and passion shine through everything you do. It's a joy and an honour to celebrate your successes across such a wide variety of programmes." Entrepreneur Kamal Ellis-Hyman. The student awards celebrate achievement across all of Cambria's sites - Northop, Deeside, Llysfasi, and Bersham Road and Yale college in Wrexham. Among the winners were: • Deeside Sixth Student of the Year - Megan Astbury • Yale Sixth Student of the Year - Tegan Haskell • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Student of the Year - Haneen Alsaadi • HE Learner of the Year - Bryn Williams • Degree Apprenticeship Learner of the Year - Rebecca Dunnington Jackson Ogunyemi (Action Jackson). • Motor Vehicle Student of the Year - Rachel Taylor • Engineering Student of the Year - Cameron Daly • Independent Living Skills Student of the Year - Curtis Jones • Jobs Growth Wales+ Student of the Year - Preston Gray • Neurodiverse-centred Course Student of the Year - Julia Dymnicka • Llysfasi Land-based Student of the Year - Nichola Wright • Northop Technical Studies Student of the Year - Finn Jones • Tourism Student of the Year - Fabio Prior • Learner Experience Student of the Year - Lili Allen • Welsh Language Student of the Year - Magi Roberts • Charity Student of the Year - Jessica Howard • Leadership and Management Work-based Learner of the Year - Amy Evans • Childcare Work-based Learner of the Year - Maxine Read • Playwork Work-based Learner of the Year - Amanda Evans • Construction Trades Apprentice of the Year - Harry Griffiths • Welsh Language Apprentice of the Year - Laura Williams • Adult Learner of the Year - Jerin Koothamattathil George Ms Williams added: "Whether you've followed an apprenticeship, taken on A Levels, or pursued work-based learning, your journey is just beginning. "Whatever comes next, know we'll always be cheering you on and wishing you every success and happiness in the future." For more information and the full list of winners at the FE/HE and WBL/ACL ceremonies, visit the website:
Business News Wales
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
NTFW Prepares Response to Medr's Tertiary Education Register Consultation
The NTFW is formulating a response to a consultation launched by Medr on the development of a new register-based regulatory system for tertiary education. Alongside the consultation – held under the provisions of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 – Medr is working on funding terms and conditions that will apply across the wider tertiary sector, as well as an approach to quality and continuous improvement. This first-phase consultation seeks views on Medr's proposed: Regulatory Approach, outlining its role as a proportionate, risk-based regulator and the framework for intervention. Regulatory Framework, including draft Conditions of Registration and Funding, compliance requirements, monitoring arrangements and reporting processes. Quality Framework, which underpins the requirements and monitoring standards for quality assurance. Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, said the consultation was just one of many commitments during a busy time for the federation. Medr has begun implementing steering groups across a range of important topics – a new Trade Union Group has been established to strengthen engagement with education trade unions. This initiative aims to foster better information sharing, ensure early involvement in policy decisions and provide a deeper understanding of how the organisation's work impacts the tertiary sector workforce. To support the Welsh Language delivery plan, Medr has set up a working group to advise on key issues such as delivery mechanisms, initial principles and consultation arrangements. Elen Rees from Cambrian Training Company will represent the NTFW in this group. The Medr Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Group continues to meet regularly, bringing together representatives from all 10 commissioned contract holders. Discussions have focused on ALN provision and available support, alongside efforts to address barriers to ALS funding. This group is exploring ways to update guidance and criteria to create a more accessible funding model for providers. Medr has invited Estyn and the Quality Assurance Agency to collaborate on self-evaluation and quality improvement planning within the tertiary sector, with Angela Maguire-Lewis, NTFW board member, participating in this work. The NTFW has also attended regular meetings to prepare for the WorldSkills UK National Finals coming to Wales from November 25-28. The NTFW said 'a huge amount of work' had gone into the NTFW Manifesto for Apprenticeships for the 2026 Senedd election, which will be launched on June 24 at the St David's Hotel, Cardiff.
Sky News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Target to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050 has been set - but how likely is it?
Wales's government has set the aim of having one million Welsh speakers by 2050 - along with a doubling of the daily use of the language by then - but is that target achievable? Figures from the latest census in 2021 showed a fall in the number of people who could speak Welsh compared to a decade earlier. An estimated 538,000 people in Wales - or 17.8% of the population - said they could speak Welsh, compared to 562,000 in 2011 (or 19% of the population). Some efforts to increase the prominence of the language in recent years, including the Brecon Beacons National Park's decision to refer to itself only by its Welsh name Bannau Brycheiniog, have faced criticism from some quarters. But a YouGov poll of more than 1,300 Welsh people earlier this year found two-thirds (67%) were in favour of efforts to increase the use of the Welsh language, compared to a fifth (20%) who were against. Efa Gruffudd Jones, the commissioner tasked with promoting the use of the language, published her manifesto for next year's Senedd election on Friday. She told Sky News the Welsh language's position had "stayed fairly constant over the last 20 years". "If we really want to change anything going forward, we need to change some of the things that we do," she said. "[Targets] are inspirational, they can inspire people to do more. But, on its own, setting a target doesn't mean that you achieve it. "So I really think we need to think hard about how we increase the numbers of Welsh speakers and how we ensure that more people can use it in their daily lives." Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage told ITV Wales last month that he would scrap the target if the party forms the next Welsh government. In her manifesto, Ms Gruffudd Jones has five key proposals for the next Welsh government as people in Wales prepare to head to the polls in May next year. They include increased use of the language in workplaces, more public services available in Welsh and mandatory Welsh language training for newly-qualified teachers, with the commissioner insisting such a move would not "alienate" potential new recruits to the profession. "It's about creating the opportunity for everyone who wants to come into the workforce to be able to develop their skills and to be able to make sure that every child who wants Welsh-medium education in Wales [is able] to receive it," she said. At Welsh-medium secondary schools, at least 60% of learners have a minimum of 70% of their lessons in Welsh, according to Welsh government criteria. And at Welsh-medium primary schools, at least 80% of pupils' school activities will be in Welsh from the age of seven onwards. 'Nothing to be afraid of' The Welsh language commissioner published a report last month which found young people's use of the language socially, including on social media, was "limited". Gwynedd Council, in northwest Wales, has outlined plans to make Welsh the "principal language" of education across the county, in an effort to boost the number of people who leave school speaking the language. The proposals, which are subject to public consultation over the coming months, are set to "remove bilingualism and bilingual teaching" from its schools' policy. But Councillor Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for education on Gwynedd Council, has insisted English-medium education "is not being phased out". He told Sky News that pupils moving to Gwynedd from outside of Wales would be given support with their Welsh through the county's language immersion units. "There's nothing to be afraid of here, I'm completely confident that any latecomers to the county will be able to fully integrate and become fully bilingual," Cllr Jones added. He said the council was "very proud" to have a "very high number of Welsh speakers" in the area, "especially among young people". "But we're ambitious to go beyond that and ensure that all young people in Gwynedd are fully bilingual so that they have the benefits of both the Welsh language and the English language," he said. 'Academic language' In Ysgol Cwm Rhymni, a Welsh-medium secondary school in Caerphilly, Year 12 students have just finished their exams and are starting to think about the next steps after school. Mili, who speaks Welsh at home with her family, said the language was an "integral part" of her life. "For many students, their parents don't speak Welsh, so they don't hear Welsh on a more social level, it's more of an academic language for them," she told Sky News. Another student Megan said there were "a lot of people" who wanted to use Welsh outside of school but there were "a lack of things for them to be able to use Welsh". "People would be willing to speak Welsh if there are things there to allow them to speak the language once they've learned it," she added. Student Ben said there was a "lack of places where you can speak Welsh in the south that aren't schools or festivals". Meanwhile, fellow student Maisie said there were already "a lot of opportunities" to use Welsh outside of school, such as in Welsh-speaking groups, but they weren't "advertised" enough. On the streets of Cardiff Bay, opinions were mixed over the target to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050. "I think we could [reach it] because there are a lot of Welsh schools now, and all the schools are learning to speak Welsh," one woman said. "I don't know if you will get to a million, but I certainly would aim for that, as close to that as you can," another added. One man said it was unrealistic as Cardiff was "not a Welsh-speaking capital" but that the language was spoken more widely in other areas. What do the political parties say? Plaid Cymru's Welsh language spokesperson Heledd Fychan said the party has "a range of progressive and radical policies" on the Welsh language and that Wales needed "a government that is willing to act". Tom Giffard, the Welsh Conservatives' shadow Welsh language secretary, said "neither language should be squeezed out of any area" and it must be ensured that "additional bureaucratic strain is not placed on the health or education services". Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the party supports the vision to "expand the use of Welsh across public services, workplaces, and education" but that the proposals should be delivered in a way that is "fair" and "inclusive".
Business News Wales
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cardiff and Vale College Welcomes New Board Members
Left to Right – Dr Jacqui Boddington, Geraint Evans, Louise Thomas, Sharon James Evans and Sally Davis. Two new members have joined the Board of Cardiff and Vale College Corporation. Sally Davis, Principal of Howell's School in Cardiff, and Dr Jaqui Boddington, the former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University, have both joined the Board as full Governors. Catrin Bennett, Deputy Headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morganwg, and Alex Kennedy of Lightcast have become co-opted Governors in their respective specialist areas of expertise in Welsh Language and Educational Data Analytics. The Board of Governors of Cardiff and Vale College is recruited by Louise Thomas as Head of Group Corporate Governance and chaired by Geraint Evans MBE. He said: 'As the largest further education college group in Wales and the third largest in the UK, our impact is profound with a turnover this year of £135 million. We are making a significant contribution to the economy of the Cardiff Capital Region and more than £1 billion to UK society each year (EMSI). Importantly, we're removing barriers to learning and investing more than £200 million in developing inspirational places to learn, now and for the future. 'With three excellent Estyn inspections over the last few years and an array of prestigious awards, I am proud of our 1,200-strong team and the high-quality provision that they are delivering in response to industry and community needs along with future trend such as AI, digital and green skills. Led by our Group Chief Executive Mike James and College Principal Sharon James Evans, this is an organisation at the very heart of the economic and social fabric of Welsh life and it is the strength of our reputation across the region that continues to attract the highest calibre individuals to the Board. 'Sally, Jaqui, Catrin and Alex all bring valuable expertise and experience, so will no doubt play an important role in steering direction and scrutinising our Group performance. They also share our commitment to ensuring that the learner experience is central to all that we do so we're delighted to welcome them to the team.'
