Politicians in Wales must forget costly ‘vanity projects’ like changing the school year and better equip teachers and leaders to focus on the basics of teaching and learning.

That is the powerful message from school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru as it launches its 2026 election manifesto at its annual conference today.

The union says the early launch is intended to give Welsh politicians a clear signal and plenty of notice ahead of next year’s Senedd elections of what financially-stricken schools need to better deliver for pupils.

Its manifesto outlines the serious challenges schools are facing and what political parties jostling for power next year can do to meet them.

The union’s Wales national secretary Laura Doel, and general secretary Paul Whiteman will address delegates at the Cornerstone in Cardiff, while other speakers will include Welsh education secretary Lynne Neagle and Estyn chief inspector Owen Evans.

Laura Doel said: “We are urging politicians to get back to basics and help schools focus on what matters – teaching children and young people and preparing them for adulthood.

“At a time when many schools are struggling to make core budgets add up, they have increasingly been left to pick up the slack for under-resourced community services when they see pupils struggling with everything from poverty to mental ill-health.

“Yet too much government time and resource has been wasted on vanity projects like toying with changes to the school year.

“Our message to all parties as they prepare manifestos for next year is to ditch any bright ideas they have to load more onto schools without first providing the support they need to do the basics to the best of their ability.”

A survey NAHT Cymru carried out with its members revaled more than half (53%) were predicting a budget deficit at their schools this academic year, amid a crisis which is forcing many to cut services and staff including teachers. 

NAHT Cymru’s manifesto calls for action to:

• Address funding issues outlined in the Welsh Government’s 2025 funding review, ending the postcode lottery in core school funding while reinstating financial support for small and rural schools

• Help address school recruitment and retention challenges by committing to restoring leader and teacher pay to 2010 levels following real-terms pay cuts, and fully funding pay increases so schools can afford them.

• Support local authorities to rebuild vital services for families that sit around schools, like social care and mental health services, including plans to ensure they have the staff they need.

• Invest in mental health support teams and fully-funded school-based counselling and creative therapies in all education settings.

• Help schools support children with additional learning needs (ALN) - properly resourcing schools to meet the ALN Code, or adjusting the code to better reflect what schools can achieve; and ensuring ALN coordinators receive the status and remuneration the role deserves - as recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body.

• Deliver on the promises agreed with education unions to help reduce workload of school staff following previous industrial action, and assess the impact of any new policies on workload.

Dafydd Jones, NAHT Cymru’s new president, and head teacher at Ysgol Melyd in Prestatyn, who will be speaking at the conference, added: “Teachers and school leaders do not have sufficient funding, resources or support to focus on what matters most – teaching and supporting pupils.

“It’s time to trust the professionals, give reforms time to settle, and allow schools to thrive, with proper resourcing and without political tinkering.”

Paul Whiteman, NAHT’s general secretary, said: “Our fabulous school leaders in Wales and their staff, are dedicated professionals, who care deeply about delivering the best possible learning experience for all pupils.

“But it feels like they have increasingly had to do so with one hand tied behind their backs. While they have shown great resilience, this is becoming ever more difficult, and we need politicians of all colours to commit to prioritising education and ensuring schools have the resources they need.”

More details on the conference and speakers are available here.