Commenting as Education Minister Jeremy Miles announced on Twitter yesterday that half of secondary schools will begin teaching the new curriculum from September, Laura Doel, director of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:

“Schools are under enormous pressure from both Covid and the challenge of implementing the new curriculum. We have repeatedly told this to the government and the Minister responded with some flexibility by allowing Secondary schools to have a phased start to the new curriculum. The fact that half of secondary schools are delaying their start shows that they don’t feel ready.

“Following the two damning independent reports on consortia support for leaders and the new curriculum, it’s no wonder they don't feel ready. It’s only right that they should be able to take their time to get this huge change right and ensure our learners get the very best of what the new curriculum will have to offer.

"Unfortunately, primary schools have not been afforded that opportunity. Those leaders continue to be under immense pressure and we urge the government to offer some flexibility to those primary settings who feel they need it. We all want to see a successful rollout; I don’t see the sense it sticking to an arbitrary deadline that could hinder the process further down the line.”