Welsh and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) – a long way to go
A new approach to Additional Learning Needs designed to make fairer and more transparent the support available to children and young people in Wales is…
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Ymgysylltu a galluogi dysgwyr – dulliau arloesol o ddysgu mewn Addysg Uwch
Yma, mae Natasha Young yn rhannu ei syniadau ar ddysgu gweithredol a dulliau cyfranogol mewn Addysg Uwch wedi’i seilio ar ei gwaith fel darlithydd blynyddoedd…
Engaging and enabling learners – innovative approaches to learning in Higher Education
Natasha Young shares her ideas on active learning and participatory approaches in Higher Education informed by her work as an early years’ lecturer at UWTSD’s…
Professional love: Emotional literacy in early years practice
Education and social care are built on strong working relationships and being responsive to one another’s needs. But life is about so much more than…
Parents’ evenings or celebrations of learning – which would you choose?
COVID-19 has changed the way we think about education, and opened to question many long-held practices. Parents’ evenings are one such thing but, explains Janet…
Co-construction: creating relationships for learning across the Welsh education system
Ongoing changes to Wales’ education system are being made against the backdrop of collaboration and policy co-construction. In this insightful blog, Yvonne Roberts-Ablett reflects on…
Developing practice through collaboration – recognising the crucial role of mentors in teacher education
In this blog, the first in a series looking at how student-teachers are supported through their journey to becoming a qualified teacher, Laurence Thomas reflects…
Learning together for a brighter future – a new vision for education in Wales
The events of the past year have been challenging for everyone, least not educators who have had to adapt to new ways of working and…
Online learning – why aren’t students engaging?
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our education system has been profound and we’re all adapting to new ways of working. Here, Linda Kelly…
Athrofa and partner schools thinking global ahead of international conference
A collaborative research project involving the Athrofa: Centre for Education and partner schools is helping to develop understanding of global competency and citizenship across Europe.…
Smiley faces and thumbs-up: Teacher Education’s response to the work of PGCE student reps in the pandemic
Before the moment is lost, staff and student-teachers from the Athrofa: Centre for Teacher Education capture a positive development in practice… Imagine being a student-teacher…
Learning in the Early Years: If preparation is key, are we getting it right?
It is well known that children’s formative years are crucial to their development in later life. But how well are we preparing our youngest learners…
Wales Education Commission – Fourth report to the education community
The need to ensure a more consistent approach to professional learning of the education workforce has been highlighted in a new report by a guiding…
Ymweliad astudio’n rhoi addysg Cymru ar fap y byd
Bu academyddion o’r Drindod Dewi Sant ar ymweliad ag Awstralia i ddysgu gan gydweithwyr a rhannu datblygiadau’n ymwneud â thaith diwygio addysg Cymru. Derbyniwyd papur…
Wales Education Commission – Third report to the education community
Raising the profile of teaching has been highlighted as crucial to supporting recruitment and retention in Wales, in a new report by a guiding coalition…
Wales Education Commission – Second report to the education community
The importance of leadership in driving forward educational change in Wales has been highlighted in a new report by a guiding coalition of international experts.…
International conference gives linguists chance to share expertise
A major conference focusing on a cornerstone of Wales’ new national curriculum attracted more than 100 delegates from across Europe. The University of Wales Trinity…
Teacher perceptions impacting on ICT lessons
Teachers in Wales have contrasting perceptions of information communications technology (ICT) which impact on the way the subject is taught in schools, according to a…
Teacher perceptions impacting on ICT lessons
Teachers in Wales have contrasting perceptions of information communications technology (ICT) which impact on the way the subject is taught in schools, according to a…
Curriculum doyen inspires next generation of teachers
One of the leading figures in Welsh education was invited to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to inspire the next generation of teachers.…
New commission meets to drive educational change in Wales
Some of the world’s leading educational thinkers have been brought together to support school improvement in Wales. The Wales Education Commission has been established by…
Wales Education Commission – First report to the education community
A leading coalition of experts have put forward their proposals for how best to improve Wales’ education system. In its inaugural report to the sector,…
Minister champions collaboration as key to success
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David welcomed Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language Alun Davies to its Carmarthen Campus to discuss the opportunities…
Lessons learned from four nations education event
Educators from each of the home nations have been brought together to share expertise and compare the challenges they face. Teachers, lecturers and academics from…
Cabinet Secretary welcomes new Wales Education Commission report
A leading coalition of experts have put forward their proposals for how best to improve Wales’ education system. In its inaugural report to the sector,…
Education Secretary presented with radical new approach to teacher education
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams was presented with a radical new approach to teacher education during a recent visit to the University of Wales Trinity Saint…
Who learns what outdoors? A comparison between Wales and England
Teachers in Wales are more likely to use their outdoor spaces for curriculum-related learning than their counterparts in England, a new study has found. Research…
Leadership the topic of debate for Wales Education Commission
A guiding coalition of experts have put forward their views on how best to improve educational leadership in Wales. The second meeting of the Wales Education…
Animal magic? Pupils benefit from reading with dogs
They have been man’s best friend for thousands of years. But only now are the benefits of learning with dogs being realised in Welsh classrooms.…
Languages, literacy and communication the focus of new education conference
Language experts from across Europe will gather in Wales next month to discuss the benefits of multilingualism. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Yr…
Trilingual music project hits the right notes
A pilot project which uses music to encourage language learning is being rolled out across primary schools in South and West Wales. The trilingual music…
New strategic partnership to strengthen teacher training and research capacity
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has strengthened its teacher training and research development by signing a strategic partnership with one of the UK’s…
Research sheds new light on asymmetric school weeks
A report highlighting the benefits and challenges resulting from asymmetric school weeks has been published by Yr Athrofa: Centre for Education (University of Wales Trinity…
Yr Athrofa celebrates education rankings rise
Yr Athrofa, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Institute of Education and Humanities, has been ranked first in Wales for a number of key…
Logging in to lockdown teaching
Following the Welsh Government’s decision to re-open Wales’ schools on June 29th, Nerys Defis considers some of the challenges of remote learning and its impact…
Changing cultures: recognising the ‘slowliness of learning’
Professional development of the education workforce will be crucial to the successful implementation of Wales’ new national curriculum. But learning is a gradual process that…
‘Red stripes’– how do we support student-teachers through a journey of reform?
The multitude of change working its way through Wales’ education system is daunting for even the most experienced teacher – so imagine what negotiating curriculum…
Seeing a Curriculum for Wales with 20/20 vision – does it all add up?
The blueprint for Wales’ new national curriculum is nearing completion, and with it comes the hope of an exciting new era for the nation’s education…
Pausing for reflection – using research to inform school-based practice
Yr Athrofa has been supporting schools across South Wales to undertake close-to-practice research in their own classrooms. Here, in the first of a series of…
Thinking global – developing sustainable skills for the future
Global competence and sustainability are becoming the talk of schools right across the country. Here, Alex Southern introduces a new international project designed to support…
Study visit puts Welsh education on the world map
UWTSD academics have visited Australia to learn from colleagues and share developments relating to Wales’ education reform journey. Staff from Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education…
Innovative model of teacher education showcased at major UK conference
Staff from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and its partner schools have presented their innovative model of teacher education at a major…
Inspiring children to love reading and writing
Pop Up Projects, in association with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has presented a series of workshops for teachers and authors to…
Going global: Comparing education in Wales and the Netherlands
One of Europe’s leading education systems will be the focus of a special symposium in Cardiff this autumn. Yr Athrofa’s Centre for Education Policy Review…
International study visit enriches Welsh reform agenda
Teachers from across South Wales were given a unique insight into Dutch education during an international study visit to the Netherlands. A five-day trip included…
Yr Athrofa celebrates education rankings rise
Yr Athrofa, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Institute of Education, has moved further up a respected league table. The Guardian University Guide ranked Yr Athrofa…
Education Minister launches new Centre for Education Policy Review and Analysis
A new centre aiming to contribute meaningfully to the development and debate of education policy in Wales has been launched by Yr Athrofa, at the…
Kirsty Williams visits Yr Athrofa to inspire next generation of classroom teachers
University of Wales Trinity Saint David was delighted to welcome the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, to the university’s Yr Athrofa to inspire the next…
Aiming for Excellence – Graham Donaldson returns for seventh annual student-teacher conference
One of the leading figures in Welsh education was invited to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to inspire the next generation of teachers. …
Register now for free summer conference on equity in schools
A free half-day conference focussing on equity in schools is being held next month at Yr Athrofa’s new waterfront campus. Aimed at educational leaders, regional…
A rising tide lifts all boats
As the development of Wales’ new national curriculum reaches an important milestone, Elaine Sharpling calls on stakeholders to grasp the opportunity to both raise standards and address…
New research fuels Wales’ national professional learning offer
Research informing the development of a new national framework for professional learning of the education workforce has been published today by Yr Athrofa. A team…
An innovative curriculum led by transformative teachers
Wales’ national curriculum is developing apace and schools, colleges and universities across the country are gearing up for change. But with changes comes opportunity and,…
A curriculum belonging to the people of Wales
As the development of Wales’ new national curriculum gathers pace, Professor Mererid Hopwood calls on all key stakeholders to remain open minded and ambitious for…
Melting snowflakes for a new era in education
Preparing the next generation of classroom teachers is hugely important, but, argues Elaine Sharpling, over-protecting students and neglecting proper challenge can hamper their development. In…
Stick or twist? Why England is better-off playing the curriculum waiting game
As Wales prepares for its biggest overhaul of the national curriculum in 30 years, Nick Rogers considers whether or not England should be following suit……
Black History Month in Wales
Black History Month was another roaring success this year, with celebratory events taking place across the country. But what is it all about? Dr Paul…
Breaking the mould: reconsidering the rules of teaching
Schools are innovative and inspirational places, in which no one day is the same. Yet so much of a teacher’s working life is based on…
UWTSD welcomes students from the Sámi University of Applied Sciences
International education experts were given an insight into Wales’ education system during a recent visit to Yr Athrofa: Institute of Education. A delegation from Norway,…
New dawn as Yr Athrofa moves into SA1
Yr Athrofa: The Institute of Education is looking forward to an exciting new chapter in its long and illustrious history after moving into state-of-the-art facilities…
Re-thinking the world around us
Future-proofing our education system for the demands of the 21st century is a significant task. But so too is it an opportunity. Here, Dr Jan…
Yr Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership receives ITE accreditation
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and its partner schools have been successful in their application to deliver innovative new programmes of initial…
Welsh twist to international thinking conference
A Welsh academic has presented two papers at a major international conference in the United States. Dr Helen Lewis, a senior lecturer at Yr Athrofa:…
Rankings boost for Yr Athrofa
Yr Athrofa, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Institute of Education, has made major strides up two leading league tables. Both the Guardian University…
Learning Progression for Wales
The CAMAU Project has today published a major Research Report informing a crucial aspect of Wales’ curriculum reform. Developed in partnership by the University of…
Aiming for Excellence – Graham Donaldson inspires next generation of teachers
One of the leading figures in Welsh education was invited to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to inspire the next generation of teachers. …
A test for Welsh education
Wales is in the midst of radical education reform. Here, Nerys Defis reflects on recent pronouncements from two key players in our system’s development and…
Countdown to national maths conference at UWTSD
A major national conference focusing on mathematics research will take place at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) this summer. It is the…
Graham Donaldson live at Yr Athrofa
Curriculum doyen Professor Graham Donaldson is the keynote speaker at Thursday’s Aiming for Excellence Conference. Organised by Yr Athrofa to celebrate the excellent practice going…
Cabinet Secretary delivers Athrofa Seminar
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has presented her vision for Post-Compulsory Education and Training as part of the Athrofa Seminar Series. The University of Wales Trinity Saint…
Flying high on Successful Futures – a student-teacher’s view
Connor Williams is one of hundreds of students training to become a teacher in Wales. Here, in this insightful blog, he presents his own unique…
Yr Athrofa hosts Education Secretary keynote
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams will deliver a keynote address as part of the Athrofa Seminar Series. Yr Athrofa, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s…
Changing feedback to benefit pupils and teachers
Verbal feedback using technology can decrease teacher workload and give pupils a more personalised feedback experience, according to a new report. Research undertaken by academics…
Scottish lessons – building a curriculum based on rock, not sand
Gareth Evans considers the ongoing debate around Wales’ new national curriculum – and what lessons we can learn from others in a similar situation… Curriculum…
The ‘National Mission’ and a shifting habitus: Initial Teacher Education in Wales
There are a number of ways to train as a classroom teacher. Here, Dr Alex Southern introduces her own research in this field, and considers…
Living La Dolce Vita
Sarah Stewart is taking part in a new collaborative project focussing on equity in education. Drawing on expertise from across Europe, it seeks to tackle…
The Great Divide
When does responsibility for education begin and end? And whose job is it to educate our youngest children? Here, Natalie MacDonald looks to answer the…
A step forward for new national curriculum
A major research project informing a crucial aspect of Wales’ curriculum reform has presented its first findings. Developed in partnership by the University of Wales…
Trilingual Tango – exploring the rhythm of language
Mererid Hopwood and Siân Brooks put their best foot forward during a new project linking language, music and dance… It all started with a ‘balanceo’, the…
Lessons from Wales shared with South African delegation
A leading international Education Minister was given an insight into innovative new models of teacher education during a visit to Yr Athrofa. Debbie Schafer, Provincial…
Too little, too late for small schools in Wales?
Pupils across Wales are set to benefit from a new £2.5m grant to support small and rural schools. But will it make a difference? Nanna…
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams visits Yr Athrofa
University of Wales Trinity Saint David was delighted to welcome Education Secretary Kirsty Williams to the university’s Yr Athrofa to inspire the next generation of…
Cabinet Secretary for Education inspires student-teachers
Cabinet Secretary Kirsty Williams has visited the next generation of classroom teachers at Yr Athrofa. After an inspirational presentation, during which she described teaching as…
Much more than man’s best friend…
Helen Lewis explores how the bond between a child and a dog may have benefits that impact on learning… Dispositions are ‘relatively enduring habits of…
New vision for initial teacher education in Wales
Yr Athrofa: Professional Learning Partnership has submitted three programmes of initial teacher education for accreditation with the Education Workforce Council (EWC). In doing so, the…
Developing a new professionalism in education
Successful Futures has garnered plenty of attention since its inception in 2015. But its focus on entrepreneurial skills has been less well-documented. Alison Evans explains……
Thinking holistically about curriculum reform in Wales
Curriculum reform is as daunting as it is exciting. But we must not lose sight of the bigger picture, explains Natalie Williams… I’ve been delighted…
Breaking the shackles of curriculum reform
Gareth Evans looks at the development of Successful Futures and a new approach to implementation… There is a tendency in education to whirl around in…
Teachers hail impact of professional development courses
Teachers interested in motivational professional development are being encouraged to sign up for two exciting professional learning opportunities. The Outstanding Teacher Programme (OTP) and the…
Early entry – putting the interests of the learner first
The Welsh Government has recently announced plans to reduce the number of pupils sitting their GCSE exams ahead of schedule after a marked rise in…
Tales from Toronto: Headteachers reflect on lessons learned from Canada
Headteachers from across South Wales have told how they are already putting into practice what they learned on a study visit to Canada earlier this…
A new and prosperous era for Welsh education?
The Welsh Government’s new education strategy has been launched by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams. Gareth Evans reflects on its content and Wales’ new long-term vision…
Education in Wales: Our National Mission
The Welsh Government has published its new national education plan. Here, writing exclusively for Yr Athrofa, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams presents her ambitious vision for…
Symposium sheds new light on Canadian education
One of the world’s leading education systems will be the focus of a special symposium in Cardiff this autumn. Yr Athrofa will present a unique…
New alliance with Big Learning Company
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has signed a strategic partnership with one of the UK’s leading digital learning organisations. The Big Learning Company…
Breaking new ground in education reform
Professor Graham Donaldson reflects on curriculum development to date and explains why teachers in Wales are at the heart of education reform… One of the…
Reflections on ResearchED
ResearchED is a teacher-led organisation aimed at improving research literacy in the education community. Elaine Sharpling and Siân Brooks discuss their recent visit to one…
Fact-finding mission to Canada informs Welsh thinking
Headteachers from across South Wales took part in a study visit to Canada for an insight into one of the world’s leading education systems. A…
Enterprise event looks at the bigger picture
Teachers across Wales are being invited to take part in a special one-off event to share knowledge and understanding of enterprise education. Hosted by the…
Spreading the word – why communication is key to education delivery
Gareth Evans considers the importance of positive communication in delivering Wales’ ‘national mission’ for education… Wales’ education system has, it is fair to say, withstood…
Digital natives or social outcasts?
Advancements in technology are changing the world as we know it. But at what cost? Carys Jennings investigates… Children are now bombarded from infancy with…
Curriculum doyen inspires next generation of teachers
One of the leading figures in Welsh education was invited to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to inspire the next generation of teachers.…
Life outside the classroom
A recent survey of school staff shone a light on the many challenges facing the Welsh education workforce. In a fascinating blog post, Nerys Defis…
Physical literacy – surviving a ‘Perfect Storm’
The link between physical activity and academic performance is well-documented. But changes in society have brought about new challenges, according to Dr Nalda Wainwright… We…
A year in the life of an Education Secretary…
As Kirsty Williams nears an important milestone, Gareth Evans looks back on the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s first year in post… They say a…
The art of Welsh and education
Inspired by a recent conference, Mererid Hopwood considers the lessons we can learn from our forefathers when teaching language… By now, delegates have returned home from…
Effective system leadership crucial to reform agenda, says guiding coalition
The importance of leadership in driving forward educational change in Wales has been highlighted in a new report by a guiding coalition of international experts.…
Research in education a valuable topic for discussion
Strengthening research in teacher education was the focus of a recent OECD workshop commissioned by the Welsh Government. Elaine Sharpling reflects on a productive meeting…
Workforce survey sheds new light on life in schools
The results of Wales’ first National Education Workforce Survey have been published and, according to Gareth Evans, cannot be ignored… Against a backdrop of…
Welsh in Education and Life
As the Athrofa finishes preparations for its first research in education conference on ‘Languages, Literacy and Communication’, Mererid Hopwood revisits a report published 90 years…
Seeing is believing – how new technologies are opening our eyes to the world
Language tutor Siân Brooks takes us on a journey of discovery using virtual reality… Seeing a photograph of the Eiffel Tower is significantly different from…
Less is more for curriculum reform
As Wales develops its new national curriculum, Gareth Evans warns that teachers will need room to innovate and we should not seek to overload those…
Seek and you shall find – why school leadership makes all the difference
With a new National Academy for Educational Leadership currently under development, Professor David Woods considers the wider benefits of system leadership for all schools in…
Teachers hold key to unlocking potential in Welsh education
Gareth Evans responds to the Chief Inspector’s criticism of Wales’ schools system… It is often said that the quality of an education system cannot exceed…
Don’t panic! International tests give cause for reflection
Gareth Evans calls for calm ahead of the publication of influential ‘PISA’ results… Education in Wales will undergo its biggest test in a week’s time.…
New approach to maths a key part of the equation
Dr Sofya Lyakhova and Dr Howard Tanner consider the development of a National Network of Excellence for Mathematics… The recent announcement (3.11.16.) by Education Secretary…