Welsh in Education Strategic Plan

In this section

Print this page

Outcome 5 - More opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in school

Where we are now?

The Local Authority is committed to providing a bilingual service to Carmarthenshire’s learners. Our vision is as follows: ‘We will work with our partners to ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential in a bilingual environment which respects and values all cultures and traditions.’

Developing the informal use of Welsh is a priority for the County Council as set out in 'Promoting the Welsh Language Strategy in Carmarthenshire' with a view to 'Aiming to make Welsh the main language of the county.’ Education has a core role to play in promoting the aim of the Promotion Strategy and the Welsh Language Manager of the Department for Education and Children is an important link with the County Language Forum in ensuring that the implementation of the WESP links with and supports the Promotion Strategy.

The 5-year strategy has a specific aim which is to - 'Increase the confidence of Welsh speakers and therefore the use of the Language in every sphere of life, and encourage and support the county’s organisations to make the Welsh Language an increasingly natural medium for their Services’.

Our objectives for the first 5 years of this Scheme address the challenge of ensuring a range of opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in and out of school.

In terms of the linguistic nature of Carmarthenshire schools, a high number of them already operate bilingually.

 

Carmarthenshire Schools (every sector)

 

  1. Welsh Medium: Welsh is the language of the day-to-day business of the school. Welsh is used as the language of communication with pupils and for school administration. The school communicates with parents in both languages.
  2. Dual Stream: Both Welsh and English are used in day-to-day business of the school. The school communicates with parents in both languages.
  3. Transitional: Welsh is the language of the day-to-day business of the school. High priority is given to creating Welsh environment. The school communicates with parents in both languages.
  4. Bilingual Type A: At least 80% of subjects (excluding English and Welsh) are taught only through the medium of Welsh to all pupils. One or two subjects to some pupils in English or in both languages.
  5. Bilingual Type B: At least 80% of subjects (excluding English and Welsh) are taught only through the medium of Welsh but are also taught through the medium of English.
  6. English with significant use of Welsh: Day to day language or languages of school is determined by the school’s linguistic context. Both languages are used as languages of communication with pupils, parents and for school administration.
  7. English Medium: English is the language of the day-to-day business of the school, but some Welsh is also used as a language of communication with the pupils. The school communicates with parents either in English or in both languages.
  8. Not applicable (Nursery and Special Schools)

The Welsh Language Charter has been in place in Carmarthenshire in each primary school since the launch of ‘Codi Caerau’ in 2016, both as Welsh 1st and 2nd Language Charter. The Language Charter emphasises the advantages of bolstering acquisition of Welsh by using and practicing the language in social situations.

We have piloted the Secondary Schools Charter in 2 schools, and it is our intention to roll this out across all Secondary Schools. Full reports are given as schools work towards gaining their bronze, silver and gold awards. We work in collaboration with our Partnership colleagues to plan and share resources.

In terms of the primary Charter, we have secured the following (2022) –

Welsh Medium Working towards Achieved
Bronze Award -------- 100%
Silver Award 62% 37%
Gold Award 37% 7.5%

 

Second Language Medium Working towards Achieved
Bronze Award 25% 75%
Silver Award 75% 22%
Gold Award 100% ----

 

There are currently many opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in the school, including:

  • Urdd activities,
  • Welsh-medium after-school clubs by working with the Mentrau Iaith,
  • Radio workshops
  • Filming lesson ideas to promote the expressive arts in line with the work in the Carmarthenshire pack
  • Language Charter Sacks for verification day
  • Create a rhythm and dance pack - promote the expressive arts-music drama, arts, dance to go along with county folklore and local history and film them
  • Games e.g., Wales on map x 66 to accompany the resources of the Welsh language development team
  • Collaborate on a package of ideas and activities with Sgiliau company - for first language but mainly second language, introducing linguistic patterns for all sports skills
  • Script and perform suitable monologues for second language pupils for the Carmarthenshire Pack
  • Support verbal games in the FP external area
  • Wet playtime board games so that we can prepare Welsh instructions on Screen Castify (second language).
  • Virtual sessions with various external providers

  • 2026-2027

    • We will support schools and work with partners to map and develop further opportunities to use Welsh in different contexts in the school. We will focus on our 34 English schools / English schools with significant use of Welsh
    • Extend the Secondary Schools Language Charter to all secondary schools with the aim of 9 schools achieving the bronze award by 2027 and 5 schools achieving Silver/Gold within the same period.
    • We will work with Further Education colleges to ensure Welsh language provision across all learning areas, including apprenticeships.
    • We will continue to work with employers and higher education to promote bilingualism as a key skill for further education and the world of work.
    • Further develop opportunities to use Welsh in informal activities (e.g., volunteering, Duke of Edinburgh, Youth Clubs).
    • We will fully consider the contribution of sixth forms, further education colleges and apprenticeship providers to the success of the Strategic Plan, where relevant
    • Promote improved skills for the lifelong use of the Welsh language.
    • Working with Youth Support Service, the Urdd, Mentrau Iaith and YFC, we will map out the current opportunities available for school age children to use their Welsh Language skills outside the classroom.
    • We will support the activities of Menter Iaith y Sir and ensure that urban/community activities are all bilingual and that the Council supports this and assists businesses/groups to ensure this.
    • The WESP is intertwined into the Carmarthenshire Promotion Strategy. The long-term vision of the Promotion Strategy is to aim to make Welsh the main language of the county.

     

    In April 2016, Carmarthenshire County Council's Language Standards came into force. After a period of consultation and preparations, 174 Standards were introduced by the Welsh Language Commissioner under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which would now be regulated by the Commissioner. The Council's Language Scheme was therefore replaced, and the Standards were accepted as a new framework for Welsh-medium provision in the following five areas of work: 1) delivering Welsh language services, 2) formulating policy in a way that promotes the Welsh language, 3) operating through the medium of Welsh, 4) keeping records about the Welsh language and finally 5) promoting the Welsh language.

    The promotion strategy is a valuable resource to help us plan together, work together and target resources to achieve the following 5 objectives:

    1. Increase the numbers acquiring basic and further skills in Welsh through the education system and through language transmission in the home.
    2. Increase the confidence of Welsh speakers and therefore the use of Welsh in every sphere of life and encourage and support the county’s organisations to make Welsh an increasingly natural medium for their services.
    3. Take purposeful action to positively affect population movements and try to get our young people to settle or re-settle in the county so that the increase in the number of Welsh speakers gained through the education system is not lost. Also, make significant efforts to assimilate newcomers and ensure that new planning developments do not have a detrimental effect on the viability of the Welsh language.
    4. Target specific geographic areas within the county, either because they offer the potential to develop or because they cause linguistic concern to increase the numbers in those areas who can and do use Welsh.
    5. Marketing and Promoting the language. Raise the status of Welsh including the benefits of bilingualism and the benefits of bilingual education. And by raising awareness of these benefits, attracting more residents of the county to acquire the language
      Integrated Community Strategy for Carmarthenshire 2016-2021.

     

    • Market specific language days e.g., Diwrnod Shwmae? along with drawing attention to outside providers who offer a spectrum of different ideas e.g., Authors, Cynllun Beirdd Plant and the AM Platform.
    • Encourage schools to use Cymraeg Bob Dydd / Everyday Welsh. This is a programme that offers opportunities for pupils in English-medium/Bilingual secondary schools to extend their use of Welsh. The Urdd operates the programme and organises activities in order to build pupils' confidence in the Welsh language, increase their use of the language, and encourage them to continue to study Welsh as a subject at AS and A level.
    • There are currently 18 (27%) Youth Support Service staff operating at Advanced Level/Proficiency. We will extend the language proficiency of workers within this service, particularly in schools (35% Advanced/Proficiency) to promote the informal use of Welsh
    • Continue to develop promotional material that demonstrates the value placed on bilingualism by employers.

  • 2031-2032

    • The Language Charter will become embedded in all primary and secondary schools, leading to enhancing the Welsh ethos throughout all schools.
    • Secondary schools will have increased the use of incidental Welsh to ensure that Welsh is used outside the classroom.
    • With learners' confidence increasing along with their interest in Welsh, more subjects will be offered through the medium of Welsh.
    • Better understanding of local and Welsh history and Welsh culture will become apparent through the new curriculum.
    • We will have achieved our aim to raise the status of the Welsh language and to make pupils proud to have their own language and therefore identity in the world.

  • Key Data

    Pupils that will benefit from activities under the Language Charter – Bronze level as a baseline

    More opportunities for learners to use Welsh in different contexts in school

    2022-2023 2026-2027 2031-2032
    Primary 14077 89% Primary 14944 94.5% Primary 15812 100%
    Secondary 4790 42% Secondary 8623 75% Secondary 11498 100%