Welsh in Education Strategic Plan

Our ten year vision for increasing and improving the planning of Welsh-medium education provision in our area

According to the 2011 Census, Carmarthenshire boasts the largest number of Welsh speakers in Wales. Our bilingual population is a unique and valuable asset.

We have a statutory duty to provide Welsh language services, but we are also passionate about promoting the Welsh language and ensuring that all our residents have the opportunity to learn and use Welsh in all aspects of life.

We are determined to ensure that the Welsh language remains a living language in the communities of Carmarthenshire. To do this, we must work together to create more opportunities for children, young people, adults and families to learn and use Welsh at school, at work, in businesses and in leisure activities.

The Council's long-term vision in the 'Strategy for Promoting the Welsh Language in Carmarthenshire' is to: Aim to make Welsh the main language of the county.
There are 5 main aims -

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. Language marketing & promotion. 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.

According to the 2011 Census, Carmarthenshire saw the largest percentage point fall in Wales, from 50.3% in 2001 to 43.9% in 2011, which meant that less than half the population could speak Welsh by 2011. This is the first time in the county's history that the percentage has fallen under half.

2011 Census: Welsh in Carmarthenshire Report by: Dylan Phillips 15 January 2014

A very revealing element of the census data is the distribution of Welsh speakers across a number of age groups. Within Carmarthenshire's Welsh speakers in 2011, there are higher percentages than the county average of-

• school aged children (3-14),
• young people (16-24) and
• people over retirement age (aged 65 and over) that can speak Welsh:

Welsh Speakers in Carmarthenshire by Age Group, 2011

Following the 2011 Census, the Authority agreed to establish a Task and Finish Group to investigate the factors that had led to the fall in the number of Welsh speakers and to make recommendations to address this situation. In March 2014, the Census Working Group published the 'Welsh language in Carmarthenshire' Report. Recommendations were made for the following areas-

• Planning
• Education
• Language and the Economy
• Welsh medium workplaces and the Council’s administration
• The impact of organisations who work for the benefit of the Welsh language, such as the Mentrau Iaith
• Opportunities to use Welsh in the county's communities
• Language Transmission in the family
• Marketing the language

In terms of the Education and Children sector there were 25 recommendations approved by the County Council – below are some of the main recommendations. The full list can be read in Appendix 1 at the end of the document.

Targets:
The Welsh Government has placed Carmarthenshire in the most challenging category with the aim of ensuring an increase of 10-14%+ in year 1 children being taught through the medium of Welsh during the lifetime of the strategy.

Percentage of Year 1 children being taught through the medium of Welsh

In April 2021, 60% of our Year 1 learners (1163) were receiving Welsh-medium education. This is an increase of 5% since the start of the current Strategic Plan.

According to Welsh Government data- Total number of pupils taught Welsh as a first language by year group and local authority, 2012 to 2021 56.89% (14,442) of Carmarthenshire learners are taught through the medium of Welsh. In 2017 the percentage was 50.81% (13,694); there was an increase of 6.08% or 748 learners following the Welsh-medium pathway.

Based on an average cohort of 1,964 pupils in Year 1, a 10%-14% increase in Year 1 in Welsh-medium education means between 196 and 275 additional pupils. We trust that our vision for immersion education and the re-designation of schools will ensure that we comfortably meet, and exceed, these absolute percentages and numbers.

By September 2032, Carmarthenshire County Council's ambitious aspiration is that 75% of all Year 1 pupils will attend Welsh-medium education. Ensuring a sound foundation in terms of Welsh-medium education will increase learners' choice and give them the confidence to follow a fully bilingual education and then on to employment and the wider community.

Outcome 1 - More nursery age / three-year olds receive their education through the medium of Welsh

Where we are now?

In terms of provision for nursery/three-year olds we are in a strong position, and it is our intention to build on the progress that has already been achieved.

• Early Years Education in Carmarthenshire is currently delivered through a mix of local authority-maintained settings, and non-maintained settings delivered by private or not for profit organisations. The intention is to continue to increase Welsh-medium early years provision across the county. During the lifetime of the previous Plan, we have seen an increase in the number of Welsh-medium places available in terms of pre-school care and education provision.
• In 2019/20 93.1% of our learners transferred from Cylchoedd Meithrin to Welsh-medium schools, which is a steady rise since 2015/16 (87.3%). (See outcome 3 for a more detailed analysis).

To ensure a choice for parents, and offer equal opportunities, places are funded within the provisions of voluntary and private organisations, such as Mudiad Meithrin, Cylch Ti a Fi or Wales Pre-school Providers Association, in line with Local Authority guidelines.

The authority supports 31 non-maintained settings. There are about 100 other non-maintained settings in the County that offer childcare, but these are not approved to provide education. Carmarthenshire’s Family Information Service offers an information service to all childcare providers as well as parents.

The Local Authority works with pre-school and childcare providers to increase the number of learners who choose Welsh medium education, by promoting the benefits of bilingualism. Through the ‘Information to Parents’ booklet, parents are informed which schools and settings offer Foundation Phase Welsh medium provision.

Also, pamphlets such as Welsh with your Kids – give it a go! are helpful, as well as Welsh Homework – no problem, whilst also referring parents and carers to the authority's film clips and Welsh Government online resources.

Number of Settings and Cylchoedd Meithrin

*NB: Changing the ages of schools has influenced the numbers attending the Cylchoedd Meithrin, as has the growth of the private sector within the County.

Welsh Medium Childcare Providers and Places

Number of 1st language Welsh nursery age children ,2012 to 2021

Percentage of 1st language Welsh nursery age pupils, 2012 to 2021

Percentage of nursery children / three-year olds who receive their education through the medium of Welsh is 57.54% (2020). Carmarthenshire has the highest number of Nursery age learners taught through the medium of Welsh. All catchment areas in Carmarthenshire have access to Welsh-medium education.

At present the Flying Start programme in Carmarthenshire offers families with children aged 0-3 years targeted early intervention services. Due to the nature of it being a targeted programme, strict postcode eligibility applies. Set up in 2007, eight original communities were identified using uptake for free school meals and other poverty indicators, to evidence areas of deprivation, which were: Bigyn, y Betws, Carwe, Felin-foel, Penrhos, Llwynhendy and Richmond Terrace. In 2012/13 Welsh Government announced an expansion of the service and Carmarthenshire identified a further 9 new communities which were to benefit from Flying Start intensive support services, which were: Dafen (Llanelli), Pantyffynnon, Garnant, Glanamman (Ammanford), Carmarthen Town North, Pwll (Llanelli), Trimsaran, Burry Port, and Pembrey. Services are delivered under four service areas; intensive Health Visiting on a needs-led basis, funded childcare places for 2–3-year-olds, early language activities and a range of parenting programmes, offering support on behaviour management and positive parenting.

The provision of good quality childcare for children from 2-3 years of age is the centrepiece of the programme and as it focuses on children living in disadvantaged communities, it aims to offer stimulating opportunities to improve their long-term outcomes in preparation for school.

Outcome 2 - More reception class children/ five-year-olds receive their education through the medium of Welsh

Where we are now?

In terms of the provision for reception class children/ five-year olds, we are in a strong position and intend to build on the progress that has already been achieved across the county. Percentage and number of reception class children/five-year-olds receiving their education through the medium of Welsh (2021)- 62.5 %. Carmarthenshire is the local authority with the highest number of Reception learners taught through the medium of Welsh.

Primary schools- language type

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. 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.
5. 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.

We have achieved an increase in the number of Welsh-medium places available in terms of education provision. That has happened as we have worked with Governors and school communities to move them along the linguistic continuum, changing the language category of schools through public consultations. During the period of the 2017-2022 Plan, the language categories of 7 primary schools were changed, creating around 210 new Welsh-medium places for Reception class.

Percentage of reception pupils who are 1st language Welsh, 2012 to 2021

Carmarthenshire’s vision to move all schools along the language continuum and embedding an Immersion/Trochi approach in Foundation Phases over time will increase opportunities for all learners across the county from all linguistic backgrounds to gain access to Welsh medium education.

Proposed changes to school designations according to their Welsh language provision will have a very positive effect upon Welsh language provision and bilingualism in the county. Working within the timeline of 7-10 years will ensure that no school stands still. This also however highlights the huge need for intensive language training for all staff across all key stages as well as subject language skills training in the secondary sector especially.

Officers have begun implementing training within both the Primary and Secondary sector and a strategic plan is in place regarding targeting specific schools in moving along the language continuum – five of which have been successful in doing so during 2019/2020.

Latecomers’ provision is paramount in reaching these goals. We have invested in a new Language Centre which will provide lessons for latecomers from both the Primary and Secondary sector. This will be a purpose-built building where pupils of all ages can learn Welsh in a modern high-tech innovative environment.

We work closely with the Welsh for Adults' team on training and guidance on Welsh-medium learning, pedagogy and use of language in classroom. Both the Athrawon Datblygu’r Gymraeg and the Welsh for Adult tutors have worked together to create a learning continuum for teaching staff based on relevant classroom language.

With such a vast geography within the county the use of Microsoft Teams/Zoom and Google classrooms will also be implemented to reach all pupils. This will be a continuation of the work planned and executed during Covid-19 in 2020/2021.

Outcome 3 - More children continue to improve their Welsh language skills when transferring from one stage of their statutory education to another

Where we are now?

It is the vision of Carmarthenshire’s Education Authority that all pupils continue to improve their language skills when transferring from one stage of their statutory education to another.

In 2019/20, 93.1% of our learners transferred from Cylchoedd Meithrin to Welsh-medium schools.

*First year of COVID - Cylchoedd Meithrin closed for over a whole school term (March 2020 to September 2020) during the first lockdown, data of children who would have started in the Cylchoedd Meithrin during this time was lost.

Transition figures from one key stage to the next stage in previous years are as follows:

For pupils transferring from KS2 (PLASC 2019) to KS3 (PLASC 2020) 931 of the cohort or 81.5% transferred to Welsh-medium secondary education. The figures show that the numbers transferring to Welsh-medium education between primary and secondary need particular attention. This and the table therefore show the need to focus specifically on primary to secondary transition.

Our expectation is that learners who have followed the Welsh first language programme in primary school will continue this programme on transition to the secondary phase. This message needs to be reinforced with pupils and parents, and by increasing the number of schools offering Welsh streams and a range of Welsh subjects at Key Stage 3.

Our expectation is that all learners who have attended primary schools defined as bilingual will study at least 3 (initially) curricular areas through the medium of Welsh at Key Stage 3, to embed and further develop their linguistic competency.

Outcome 4 - More learners study for assessed qualifications in Welsh (as a subject) and subjects through the medium of Welsh

Where we are now?

Percentage of learners studying in Welsh as a first language - Year 7-13

The number and percentage of Year 11 learners who have been registered for GCSEs in Welsh (first or second language) and those who are not registered for either.

Number and percentage of AS/A level Welsh registrations first and second language

Percentage of pupils in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 studying subjects through the medium of Welsh:

2017/2018

2018/2019

In terms of subjects taught through the medium of Welsh across the full range of Carmarthenshire schools, the table below shows how many subjects are taught through the medium of Welsh at Key stages 3, 4 and 5 (2021-22):

All schools 2B, EW and EM have the potential to develop provision – particularly at Key Stages 4 and 5 (where relevant). There will be support to increase the provision of these schools. We will identify a current school category and a new category for each school to aim for over the decade of the strategy. The speed and range of subject development will be subject to local conditions, not least staff proficiency and growth in demand for Welsh-medium education in school catchment areas. However, it is possible to offer approximations as follows in terms of the number of subjects it is hoped will be developed:

Input Model (increasing number of subjects): 

Output Model - Achieving an increase in the number of learners gaining recognised qualifications:

We aim to increase the number of learners following part of their curriculum through the medium of Welsh in our EM and EW schools. Building on previous discussions, this can happen by establishing at least one KS3 stream in our EM schools by 2027 (Net increase of 210 pupils as a baseline). Some EM schools would be in a position by 2032 to start developing some Welsh-medium pathways at KS4.
In our EW schools, we can consider aiming for one or two equivalent Welsh-medium classes at KS3 (Net increase of 273 pupils), with pathways to KS4 for those pupils by 2032.

The aim in 2B schools would be to ensure that at least 40% of pupils in schools undertake at least 70% of their activities through the medium of Welsh at KS3 by 2027, raising the percentage to at least 60% of pupils by 2032. Natural growth at KS3 will have a positive impact on the numbers studying subjects through the medium of Welsh at KS4 during the lifetime of the strategy in these schools.
Our Welsh Education Partnership (WRE) has evolved as a powerful partnership, mainly between our category 1 and 2A post-16 schools. The partnership offers a dozen courses in year 12 and a dozen in year 13 (2022/23) through an innovative collaboration model, based on the delivery of blended learning, which has proven to be a very successful model.

The range of topics include:

*There have also been discussions regarding AS and BTEC Sport Additional Mathematics

The average class size is 14, with a range of between 1 and 39. Combining classes across two or three schools ensures that there is a critical mass of students available to maintain the subjects. Without the collaboration, 9 subjects with 5 or fewer students in year 12 and 11 subjects with fewer than 5 students in year 13 would be at risk of not being maintained across the 3 schools:

This offers a considerable amount of learning pathways that would have been unsustainable without the partnership. The aim is therefore to try to offer students as much choice as possible, but to do this in a financially viable and sustainable way.

In terms of the total number of students benefiting from the partnership, the table below shows a healthy situation:

In terms of administering the partnership one or more schools lead on a particular subject, offering their staff as required. The County's 14-19 network offers funding to support the partnership, and cash flow comes through the Welsh Government's per capita funding, promotion for the Welsh language and specific allocations of almost £92,000 awarded locally in top-slicing the post-16 grant, to stimulate collaboration across providers.

Carmarthenshire is working alongside Ceredigion and Powys in providing the E-sgol project. E-sgol uses technology in an innovative way that makes a real difference to students in rural areas by increasing the subjects available to them and broadening their career options after school. There is currently 1 subject (Criminology) running and the low number is judged to be since PAG is so successful, with some challenges then in harmonising other school timetables outside the PAG. Depending on how E-sgol develops, there remains potential to extend the offer to the 14-16 age range. If this were possible, it would offer opportunities to extend Welsh-medium learning pathways across more secondary schools in the County. We can approximate that an additional 3-5 E-sgol subjects would run in our schools by 2027 and 8-10 by 2032.

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) –

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

Outcome 6 - An increase in the provision of Welsh-medium education for pupils with additional needs (ALN) in accordance with the duties imposed by the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018

Where are we now?

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.’

The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET) was introduced in January 2018 which requires Local Authorities to keep the arrangements for supporting learners aged 0-25 with Additional Learning Needs under review and to consider whether these arrangements are adequate. It includes a statutory requirement to take reasonable steps to create a system of Welsh-medium and bilingual support for learners with ALN.

We are committed to inclusion and take pride in the fact that we are able to provide bilingual services to our learners with additional learning needs.

It is the Inclusion Department’s intention to continue to provide high quality services and provisions bilingually to meet the needs of families and young people i.e., if the preference is for services and provisions to be delivered through the medium of Welsh the department has the capacity to achieve this to a high standard.

Strategic Aims:

• To ensure that there is equity of provision for all learners with ALN in all settings and services.
• To ensure, via effective partnership arrangements, that the learner need for Welsh medium provision at both a regional and a local level is met.
• To ensure that all learners with ALN can access provision in the language of their choice, whilst supporting their journey towards bilingualism
• Continue to develop a bilingual system to respond to the ALN reform agenda
• Work with our Special Schools/Units and Behavioural Support Team to further develop bilingual provision.
• Further develop the skills of our Additional Learning Needs Coordinators to support learners.

In Carmarthenshire we are able to meet the needs of our learners in a variety of ways-

• The majority of our learners with additional learning needs will be supported in our mainstream schools.
• Schools will appoint suitable staff to support individual learners within their classes and the Additional Needs Co-ordinators will ensure appropriate intervention.
• For learners with more profound/complex needs we have a range of Units located in our mainstream schools.
• We have a Pupil Referral Unit and a Special School, Heol Goffa.
• The Inclusion Team will support special schools and units to meet the needs of our learners.

In the previous scheme period, Carmarthenshire County Council:

• Increased the number of advisory staff able to support through the medium of Welsh.
• Ensured we have an increasing number of the workforce who are able to provide advice, support and wider services through the medium of Welsh. This is promoted by a corporate plan to upskill the department's staff, together with another scheme to develop the use of Welsh within the department.
• Ensured that parents can have as much or as little input through the medium of Welsh. The provision, service and support are available in both Welsh and English
• Provide bilingual training to all relevant staff in relation to the ALN reforms in place.

Where we are

Percentage of learners with additional learning needs (County as a whole)

Number of learners with additional learning needs

Number of learners with additional learning needs in Welsh and English medium schools

The allocation of needs across schools are quite balanced in terms of the number in the Welsh and English sectors.

For the proficiency of the staff of the Department of Inclusion and the Department of Educational Psychologists- see outcome 7.

Targets

• In order to meet the needs of our additional needs learners, maintain and further develop central additional learning needs workforce who can support and work in Welsh and English - an increase from current 7 (34%) higher/proficient level to 13 (63%).
• Similarly, we will work with our Schools/Units to increase the number of staff able to support through the medium of Welsh. (See outcome 7).
• Our Units / Ysgol Heol Goffa do not have a linguistic designation and we will aim to ensure that learners attending these services receive appropriate linguistic support.

Outcome 7 - Increase the number of teaching staff able to teach Welsh (as a subject) and teach through the medium of Welsh

Where we are now?

How we will work with others to achieve our vision

We have established a Carmarthenshire Welsh in Education Forum consisting of representatives from Mudiad Meithrin, Urdd, Menter Iaith, County Councillors with responsibility for education and the Welsh language, Primary and Secondary school leaders, Welsh language Policy officer, Further Ed. colleges as well as the Director of Education and senior education officers with the responsibility for Bilingualism and the head of the Athrawon Datblygu’r Gymraeg Service.

The Forum meets on a regular basis where all matters aligned to the WESP document are discussed. In preparation of the plan, we will consult with our statutory partners and other stakeholders.

In addition, the multi-agency County Welsh language Forum is involved in supporting the delivery of this strategy.

Officers across the education department are briefed with the objectives of the WESP.

We work closely with officers in the delivery of the new curriculum to synergise the WESP with the ideals of the Successful Futures agenda.

Consultation and workshop sessions with Head teachers and Governors across all schools.

A robust in-house corporate consultation process will ensure that the strategy is informed through the democratic process.

Appendix 1 - The Welsh Language in Carmarthenshire Report

Appendix 1 - The Welsh Language in Carmarthenshire Report

AIM: Increase the provision of Welsh medium education in Carmarthenshire and ensure linguistic continuity from the nursery sector along the key stages to the secondary sector so that every pupil becomes fluent and confident in both Welsh and English.

Pre-School Education

1. The County Council works closely with Mudiad Meithrin and private providers to ensure that Welsh-medium pre-school education is readily available in all parts of Carmarthenshire.

Primary Sector

1. The County Council prepares a robust work plan and timetable, in conjunction with school governing bodies, to move all primary schools along the language continuum. Strategies will need to be developed for the various categories and geographical areas.
2. The County Council works closely with school staff and governing bodies of Carmarthenshire’s transformational schools (Welsh medium-schools but with significant use of English) for them to become Welsh schools.
3. The County Council works closely with the staff and governing bodies of Carmarthenshire’s dual stream schools for them to become Welsh schools.
4. The County Council agrees with the principle that all English-medium primary schools over a period of time should deliver the curriculum in the Foundation Phase primarily through the medium of Welsh as a starting point taking into account different options for Key Stage 2 (KS2);
5. The County Council begins the process of identifying English-medium schools that would be prepared to introduce the Foundation Phase through the medium of Welsh fairly soon with the aim in KS2 to offer a choice between a Welsh stream or a bilingual stream (25-50% Welsh medium).
6. The County Council considers the current model of language centres/latecomers in Carmarthenshire in the primary sector and to develop provision based on the model of Gwynedd and Ceredigion Councils.
7. The County Council adopts Gwynedd Council's Welsh Language Charter (which encourages children to speak Welsh at school and in the community) and adapts it to the requirements of Carmarthenshire.
8. The County Council revisits this and ensures that Welsh-medium primary schools are part of a secondary school family that can provide a suitable linguistic continuum from the primary sector onwards to KS3 and KS4 and carry out transition activities that reflect the linguistic nature of the feeder primary schools.
9. The County Council includes expectations of Welsh-medium provision as part of an agreement with schools, alongside expectations of discipline, attainment, and attendance.
10. The County Council, should the above recommendations be realised, is aware of the need to plan for growth in Welsh-medium education in the secondary sector.

Secondary Schools

1. The County Council expect secondary schools to build on the linguistic foundation laid by the Welsh medium primary schools by ensuring that all pupils continue to study Welsh as a first language and as a learning medium up to KS4.
2. The County Council adopts a clear continuity protocol with all primary and secondary Welsh schools (or bilingual), with appropriate training where needed, to increase the number of pupils continuing to study through the medium of Welsh at all key stages:
3. The County Council researches the possibility of establishing a second-chance scheme within the transition period between primary and secondary sector by adopting the Immersion Scheme which has been very successful across Wales.
4. The County Council agrees to a timetable and plan to support schools 2A, 2B and 3 to move along the language continuum over a period of time and provides guidance to ensure that all other secondary schools move along the language continuum and create an ethos that encourages respect for the Welsh language.
5. The County Council plans for growth in Welsh medium education in the secondary sector.

Welsh Education Promotion

1. The County Council maintains an ongoing marketing campaign to promote Welsh medium education by explaining the advantages of being bilingual to parents and pupils.
2. The County Council provides training for primary and secondary school governors on the advantages of Welsh medium education and the educational, economic and community reasons why the provision should be extended across the county.

General

1. The County Council undertakes an assessment of the demand for Welsh-medium education in areas where it is considered necessary.
2. The County Council works with all Governing Bodies to undertake a language skills audit to take account of the linguistic needs of the workforce for being able to move the school along the language continuum.
3. The County Council ensures appropriate support and resources to develop and lead a strategy to promote and expand Welsh-medium education in Carmarthenshire.

AIM: Increase the range of opportunities to use Welsh in our communities, particularly for children and young people to reinforce the language outside the school walls.

Youth Services

1. The County Council co-ordinates a strategic action group that would include secondary schools, the county's youth organisations, the further and higher education sector, and the leisure sector to plan and link Welsh-medium provision to ensure that the best possible use is made of the resources available within the County, to target resources as required and to identify any gaps in provision.
2. The strategic implementation group ensures that it develops Welsh-medium community opportunities that will support and strengthen the educational curriculum.
3. The County Council increases Welsh-medium provision within its youth service and supports staff within the service to develop their skills to work through the medium of Welsh.
4. In line with the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group on Youth Clubs (January 2014), prioritise increasing provision through the medium of Welsh as part of the new strategic approach by commissioning some organisations that provide an open youth service through the medium of Welsh.