View source for Education in Wales

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox Education
|country name = Wales
|agency image = <!-- Commented out: [[File:Welsh Assembly Government logo.png|150px]] -->
|agency = [[Department for Education and Skills (Wales)|Department for Education and Skills]]
|leader titles = Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
|leader names = [[Lynne Neagle]]
|budget = £2,728.6&nbsp;million
|budget year = 2021/22
|primary languages = [[English language|English]] and [[Welsh language|Welsh]]
|system type = National
|established events = Compulsory education Devolution
|established dates = 1880{{Break}} 1999
|literacy year = 2003<ref>Estimate for the United Kingdom, from [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-kingdom/ United Kingdom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109221834/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-kingdom/ |date=9 January 2021 }}, ''[[The World Factbook]]''</ref>
|literacy total = 99%
|literacy men = 99%
|literacy women = 99%
}}This article provides an overview of '''education in Wales''' from [[early childhood education|early childhood]] to [[university]] and [[adult education|adult skills]]. Largely state-funded and freely accessible at a [[primary school|primary]] and [[secondary school|secondary]] level, education is compulsory for children in Wales between ages 5-16 years old. It differs to some extent in structure and content to other parts of the United Kingdom, in the later case particularly in relation to the teaching of the [[Welsh language]].

State-funded nursery education is typically offered from age three. Children usually enter fulltime primary school at age four, enter secondary school at age eleven and take their [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSEs]] at age 16. After that, young people have the option of enrolling in [[further education]].

Formal education was originally a luxury, then provided by charity and later through the state. Universal primary education was established by the end of the 19th century and universal secondary education was reached by the mid 20th century. Attitudes to the Welsh language in education have varied overtime.

== History ==
{{Further|History of education in Wales|}}
[[File:Infants, Llithfaen school (1887) NLW3363304.jpg|thumb|[[Infant school|Infants class]] at [[Llithfaen]] school (1887)]]
Early forms of formal education were church or privately run and available to only a small segment of the population.<ref name=":43">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=Monasticism to Puritanism, c.410-1670}}</ref> In the 17th and 18th Centuries significant efforts were made, mainly by charitable causes, to expand access to basic education.<ref name=":44">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=Monasticism to Puritanism, c.410-1670}}</ref><ref name=":022">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=The Religious Motive Redefined, 1670-1847}}</ref> In the 19th Century a state education system developed.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Amy |title=Education, Literacy and the Reading Public |url=https://www.gale.com/binaries/content/assets/gale-us-en/primary-sources/intl-gps/intl-gps-essays/full-ghn-contextual-essays/ghn_essay_bln_lloyd3_website.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105182507/https://www.gale.com/binaries/content/assets/gale-us-en/primary-sources/intl-gps/intl-gps-essays/full-ghn-contextual-essays/ghn_essay_bln_lloyd3_website.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2020 |website=Gale Primary Sources |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> By the end of the period education had become free and compulsory for children aged 5- to 12-years-old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 1870 Education Act |url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/livinglearning/school/overview/1870educationact/ |website=UK Parliament}}</ref> Further [[Raising of school leaving age in England and Wales|increases to the school leaving age]] and the development of a system of secondary schools led by the mid 20th century to universal secondary education.<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=The State and the Nation, 1870-1902}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=Defiance and Depression, 1902-1939}}</ref> Separate secondary schools for students of different academic abilities ended by 1980.<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=War and Relative Peace, 1939-1965}}</ref> Control over education policy was placed under the control of the devolved Welsh government in 1999.<ref name=":112">{{Cite book |last=Egon |first=David |title=Watchdogs or Visionaries?: Perspectives on the History of the Education Inspectorate in Wales |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2022 |editor-last=Keane |editor-first=Ann |chapter=Devolution, Education policy and Inspection in Wales: A policy analysis |asin=B0BLCS7YDK}}</ref>

==Structure==

=== Early years care and education ===
[[File:My busy hands (November 2006) 4 second version.jpg|thumb|Numeracy activity completed in nursery class at Cwrt Rawlin Primary school, [[Caerphilly]] (2006)]]
From the start of the January, April or September (whichever comes soonest) following a child's third birthday they become eligible for a minimum of ten hours a week in publicly funded nursery education. Nursery lessons are focused on developing children's abilities in a variety of areas such as creativity, communication and general knowledge however, at this age, learning to read and write is not yet considered a priority.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|year=2019|title=Nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds in Wales|url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-03/foundation-phase-nursery-guide-for-parents-and-carers.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026051949/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-03/foundation-phase-nursery-guide-for-parents-and-carers.pdf |archive-date=26 October 2020 }}</ref> Depending on their parents economic and employment status children in this age-range may be eligible for up to twenty additional hours of state-subsidised childcare each week.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Childcare for 3 and 4 year olds|url=https://gov.wales/childcare-3-and-4-year-olds|access-date=30 September 2021|website=GOV.WALES|language=en|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001002739/https://gov.wales/childcare-3-and-4-year-olds|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to statistics for the 2021/2022 school year most state-funded primary schools in Wales and all separate [[infant school]]s included nursery provision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schools by local authority, region and type of school |url=https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-type |website=StatsWales (Welsh government) |access-date=24 September 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173418/https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-type |url-status=live }}</ref> There were also eight separate nursery schools which are owned and run by the Local authority.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Schools by local authority, region and type of school |url=https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-type |website=StatsWales (Welsh government) |access-date=24 September 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173418/https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-type |url-status=live }}</ref> The hours of state-funded childcare a child is entitled to can also be provided by other childcare facilities.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> According to a 2018 report, there were 4,012 such facilities registered in 2016, it also noted that "The majority of childcare providers are childminders (52%). The remaining childcare provision is delivered by sessional day care settings (20%), full day care settings (17%), out of school care settings (10%), open access play provision (1%) and crèches (0.5%)."<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2018 |title=Review of the Childcare Sector in Wales |url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-07/180110-review-childcare-sector-en.pdf |website=Welsh Government |access-date=24 September 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331221405/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-07/180110-review-childcare-sector-en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Welsh government is planning to introduce universal state funded childcare for two-year-old children by the mid-2020s. Currently, only the most disadvantaged toddlers in this age group and those in some more deprived areas are entitled to 12.5 hours of care provided by the state.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Albert|first=Angeline|date=14 November 2021|title=Free childcare for all two-year-olds in Wales must be 'fully costed'|url=https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1660372/Free-childcare|url-status=live|access-date=24 November 2021|website=daynurseries.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124235022/https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1660372/Free-childcare |archive-date=24 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 November 2021|title=Wales: Free primary school meals and childcare pledges|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-59378951|access-date=24 November 2021|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125000524/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-59378951|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Compulsory schooling===
{{See also|Lists of schools in Wales}}
A child's age on 1 September determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McClatchey |first=Caroline |date=2011-11-01 |title=Summer-born struggle: Why August children suffer at school |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15490760 |access-date=2022-09-18 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035629/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15490760 |url-status=live }}</ref>  Education is compulsory beginning with the term following the child's fifth birthday, but may take place at either [[Home education in the United Kingdom|home]] or school.  Most parents choosing to educate through school-based provision, however, enrol their children in the reception year in September of that school year, with most children thus beginning school at age four or four and a half.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Caroline |date=1 November 2002 |title=School Starting Age: European Policy and Recent Research |url=https://www.nfer.ac.uk/media/1318/44414.pdf#:~:text=The%20official%20school%20starting%20age%20in%20England%20and,of%20the%20year%20in%20which%20they%20become%20five. |page=3 |access-date=18 September 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510082018/https://www.nfer.ac.uk/media/1318/44414.pdf#:~:text=The%20official%20school%20starting%20age%20in%20England%20and,of%20the%20year%20in%20which%20they%20become%20five. |url-status=live }}</ref>  This age was traditionally much earlier than in most other Western nations,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7234578.stm|title=BBC NEWS – UK – Education – Is five too soon to start school?|date=8 February 2008|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510151726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7234578.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> but in recent years many European countries have lowered their age of compulsory education, usually by making one or more years of [[kindergarten]] compulsory.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/images/2/24/Compulsory_Education_in_Europe_2016_2017.pdf |title=Archived copy  |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-date=9 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009145616/https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/images/2/24/Compulsory_Education_in_Europe_2016_2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Primary education====
[[File:Celebrating_St_David's_Day_in_Barmouth_(5450589413).jpg|thumb|Primary school pupils in 1960, in [[Barmouth]], celebrating [[St David's Day]]]]
{{Main|Primary education in Wales}}

In 2014/15, there were 1,330 primary schools in Wales with 273,400 pupils and 12,240 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers. The teacher/pupil ratio was 1:22 and the average class size was 26 pupils.<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009">{{cite web|url=http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2016/160427-key-education-statistics-2016-en.pdf|title=Key Education Statistics Wales 2016|date=27 April 2016|publisher=Welsh Government|access-date=24 January 2017}}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2015/16, there were 276,950 pupils in 1,310 primary schools – a rise of 3,550 since 2014/15.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/sites/default/files/documents/ESTYN_Annual%20Report%202015_2016_English.pdf|title=The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales 2015–2016|year=2016|website=estyn.gov.wales|publisher=ESTYN|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203205651/https://www.estyn.gov.wales/sites/default/files/documents/ESTYN_Annual%20Report%202015_2016_English.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014/15, there were 435 Welsh-medium primary schools with 65,460 pupils, rising from 64,366 in 2013/14, but the number of Welsh-medium primary schools decreased from 444,<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009" /> due primarily to the closure of small rural schools.

Universal free school meals were introduced in Wales for children in the first year of primary school in September 2022. They are planned to be rolled out for all primary school children by 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-07 |title=Universal free school meals begin in Wales for youngest children |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62811530 |access-date=2022-09-18 |archive-date=18 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918130306/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62811530 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Secondary education====
{{Main|Secondary education in Wales}}
Children typically transfer from primary to secondary school between schools years [[Year 6|six]] and [[Year 7|seven]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transition from primary to secondary school guidance - Hwb |url=https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales/assessment-arrangements/transition-from-primary-to-secondary-school-guidance/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=hwb.gov.wales |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219142743/https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales/assessment-arrangements/transition-from-primary-to-secondary-school-guidance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> when they are 11 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Transition from Primary to Secondary School (Wales) Regulations 2022 - Interpretation |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2022/566/regulation/3/made |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]}}</ref> In school year [[Year 9|nine]] (or sometimes [[Year 8|eight]]), pupils receive a chose of what subjects to continue their studies in, options must be available across multiple fields but vary between schools. Maths, English, Science and Welsh as a [[First language|first]] or [[Second language|second]] language are compulsory whilst some schools may also make other subjects compulsory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Year 8 and 9 subject options {{!}} Careers Wales |url=https://careerswales.gov.wales/courses-and-training/year-8-and-9-subject-options |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117170210/https://careerswales.gov.wales/courses-and-training/year-8-and-9-subject-options |archive-date=17 January 2022 |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=careerswales.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GCSE options: Everything you need to know about choosing your GCSE subjects |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrjh92p |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=BBC Bitesize |language=en-GB |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223234611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrjh92p |url-status=live }}</ref>

Pupils in secondary school take part in the compulsory [[GCSE]] prior to teaching school leaving age at ages 15/16. Since 2007 the [[Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification]] has also been available as an option although it was ungraded until 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-24 |title=Welsh Baccalaureate too complex - Qualifications Wales |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-43864885 |access-date=2022-09-25 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401123805/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-43864885 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014/15 there were 207 secondary schools (a drop of six since 2013/14) in Wales with 182,408 pupils and 11,269 FTE teachers (a drop of 310 since 2013/14). The pupil/teacher ratio was 17:1, which has remained largely the same since 2000/01.<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009" /> In 2015/16, there were 178,650 pupils in 205 secondary schools – a drop of 3,700 since 2014/15.<ref name=":0" /> The same report found that in 2015/16, there were 8,000 pupils in 34 independent schools, 4,540 pupils in 32 independent special schools, and 730 pupils in 25 pupil referral units.

In 2014/15, there were 50 Welsh-medium secondary (a drop of 2 since 2013/14) schools with 36,485 pupils, dropping from 37,400 in 2013/14. In the same year, there were 4 Welsh-medium middle schools (a rise of 2 since 2013/14) with 2,448 pupils, a rise from 1,577 in 2013/14.<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009" />

In 2016, 60.3% of Year 11 pupils (aged 16) achieved the Level 2 inclusive threshold (Level 2 including a grade A*-C in English or Welsh first language and Mathematics). 35.6% of pupils eligible for FSM (free school meals) achieved the L2 inclusive threshold. 66.9% of pupils achieved A*-C in maths. 70.4% of pupils achieved A*-C in either English or Welsh first language.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/examination-results/?lang=en|title=An annual report collated from examination bodies on the results of external examinations taken by pupils aged 15 or 17, which includes GCSE and A Levels by subject|date=7 December 2016|website=gov.wales|language=EN|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-date=3 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203205650/http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/examination-results/?lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wales has often performed poorly in [[Programme for International Student Assessment|PISA]] results, which compare the academic abilities of adolescents around the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11930257|title=Pisa tests show pupils in Wales falling behind|work=BBC News|date=7 December 2010|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-date=6 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206083415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11930257|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2018 tests saw Wales' results improving but remaining the weakest of the four education systems of the UK in all subjects.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Bethan |date=2019-12-03 |title=Pisa education tests: Wales improves performance |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-50629432 |access-date=2022-05-30 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606022417/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-50629432 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Further education===
{{Main|List of further education colleges in Wales}}
[[File:Www-darrenrees-co-uk-reference-000005.jpg|thumb|A further education college in [[Merthyr Tydfil]]]]
[[Further education]] (FE) includes full- and part-time learning for people over compulsory school age, excluding higher education.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1996/ukpga_19960056_en_2#pt1-ch1-pb1-l1g2 |title=Education Act 1996, Part 1, Chapter 1, Paragraph 2 |access-date=5 April 2009 |archive-date=7 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207193255/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/ukpga_19960056_en_2#pt1-ch1-pb1-l1g2 |url-status=live }}</ref> FE and publicly funded training in Wales is provided by 15 FE institutions in 2014/15 and a range of public, private and voluntary sector training providers, such as the [[Workers' Educational Association]]. Colleges vary in size and mission, and include general FE, tertiary and specialist institutions, including one [[Roman Catholic]] Sixth Form College and a residential [[adult education]] college. Many colleges offer leisure learning and training programmes designed to meet the needs of business.<ref>[http://www.fforwm.ac.uk Welcome to fforwm]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228112011/http://www.fforwm.ac.uk/ |date=28 February 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntfw.org/index.php|title=National Training Federation Wales|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018131703/http://www.ntfw.org/index.php|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014/15 there were 263,315 FE students in Wales spanning the entire availability of FE at multiple placements, including FE, HE (higher education), LA (local authority) Community, and work-based learning.<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009"/>

===Adult community learning===
[[Adult education|Adult Community learning]] is a form of adult education or [[lifelong learning]] delivered and supported by local authorities in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clwales.net/Introducing+CLW.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723043502/http://www.clwales.net/Introducing%20CLW.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 July 2011|date=23 July 2011|access-date=23 March 2018|title=Introducing Community Learning Wales }}</ref> Programmes can be formal or [[Nonformal learning|informal]], non-accredited or accredited, and vocational, academic or leisure orientated.<ref>[http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultation/dells/2008/acl/aclconsultation-e.pdf;jsessionid=wPvGJZ6hkxSXLR9hg2kQTpzJQ5CWQ4dppwmyST0wDxZpthrQ2NGp!-582746490?lang=en Delivering Skills that Work for Wales: A new approach to Adult Community Learning. Consultation document issued 29 September 2008]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2018–2019, there were 23,970 learners in Local Authority Community Learning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Post-16-Education-and-Training/Further-Education-and-Work-Based-Learning/Learners/Local-Authority-Community-Learning/localauthoritycommunitylearningactivities-by-localauthority-provisiontype|access-date=30 June 2020|website=statswales.gov.wales|title=Local authority community learning activities by local authority and provision type}}</ref>

===Higher education===
{{See also|List of universities in Wales|Tuition fees in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Cardiff University main building.jpg|right|thumb|240px|Main Building of Cardiff University]]
[[File:Uwlsdb.jpg|thumb|left|240px|St David's building of the University of Wales Lampeter – Wales' oldest University]]
Undergraduate students contribute £9,000 a year in fees, and are generally entitled to student loans and grants depending on their family's economic situation for maintenance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rogers|first=Sophie|date=4 March 2021|title=University tuition fees and financial support in Wales|url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/finance/university-tuition-fees-and-financial-support-in-wales|url-status=live|access-date=26 October 2021|website=thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514103306/https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/finance/university-tuition-fees-and-financial-support-in-wales |archive-date=14 May 2020 }}</ref> The state does not control syllabi, but it does influence admission procedures and monitors standards through the [[Higher Education Funding Council for Wales]].

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland all qualifications can be compared on a scale beginning with entry level and then followed by eight numbered levels, 1 is the equivalent of a weaker pass grade at GCSE and 8 the equivalent of a [[doctorate]].<ref name=":11"/> Undergraduate degrees typically the first higher education qualifications available are usually level 4, 5 or 6. Students will generally need [[A-Level]]s or an equivalent at a certain grade to enroll on them but may be able to do a foundation year prior to starting if their grades are weaker. There are various types of undergraduate degree but the most common is a [[Bachelor's degree]] which generally takes three years to complete and involves studying one or sometimes two subjects in detail. It is a level 6 qualification.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=What qualification levels mean |url=https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403064337/https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels |url-status=live }}</ref>

A postgraduate degree is a level 7 or 8 qualification. It can typically only be completed after an undergraduate degree has been completed. It is generally focused on a more specific topic rather than the more general subject taught at undergraduate level. These generally come in two types the "taught" degree which conducted more in the style of an undergraduate degree and "research" degree where the student directs their own study of a self-chosen question in a more independent manner. A [[master's degree]] is the highest level of qualification.<ref name=":11" />

In 2014/15 there were 145,735 enrolments at HE institutions in Wales, including 97,900 first degree and other undergraduates and 27,780 postgraduates. Welsh HE institutions had a total of 10,140 full-time and part-time staff.<ref name="Key Education Statistics 2009" />

== Governance ==

=== Local administration and individual schools ===
Unlike in England, where state schools are increasingly run in an [[Academy (English school)|Academy]] model where they are funded directly by the central government, state schools in Wales are overseen by [[Local government in Wales|local authorities]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Bethan |date=2016-03-16 |title=So why are there no academy schools in Wales? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35821725 |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109135802/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35821725 |url-status=live }}</ref> Local authority funded or maintained schools come in various different models. The Community school is owned and run by the local authority, the Voluntary controlled schools are owned by a charity with close oversight from the local authority, the Voluntary aided schools are owned by a charity with a greater degree of self-governance and the Foundation school is owned by a governing body or charity organisation with limited local authority oversight. In the second and third case the charity is usually a religious organisation, typically the [[Church in Wales]] or the [[Catholic Church in England and Wales|Roman Catholic Church]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Schools maintained by local authorities {{!}} Law Wales |url=https://law.gov.wales/schools-maintained-local-authorities |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=law.gov.wales |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730153529/https://law.gov.wales/schools-maintained-local-authorities |url-status=live }}</ref>

The curriculum being rolled out in Wales from 2022 onwards is intended to give individual schools more control over the instruction they provide and the autonomy to develop their own curricula within a basic set of guidelines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-14 |title=Wales schools: New lessons 'exciting but a challenge' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-61787090 |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613235404/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-61787090 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%"
!Local authorities in Wales
|-
|{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Isle of Anglesey County Council]]
*[[Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council]]
*[[Bridgend County Borough Council]]
*[[Caerphilly County Borough Council]]
*[[Cardiff Council]]
*[[Carmarthenshire County Council]]
*[[Ceredigion County Council]]
*[[Conwy County Borough Council]]
*[[Denbighshire County Council]]
*[[Flintshire County Council]]
*[[Gwynedd Council]]
*[[Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council]]
*[[Monmouthshire County Council]]
*[[Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council]]
*[[Newport City Council]]
*[[Pembrokeshire County Council]]
*[[Powys County Council]]
*[[Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council]]
*[[City and County of Swansea council]]
*[[Torfaen County Borough Council]]
*[[Vale of Glamorgan Council]]
*[[Wrexham County Borough Council]]
{{div col end}}
|}
<ref>[http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/localauthorities/index.cfm?action=authority Department for Education and Skills] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805072016/http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/localauthorities/index.cfm?action=authority |date=5 August 2013 }} - LA Contact Details</ref>

==== Education Consortia ====
In 2014, there were four formal education consortia in Wales covering:
* North Wales ('''GwE''') (Flintshire, Conwy, Wrexham, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Denbighshire)
* South West and Mid Wales ('''ERW''') (Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Ceredigion)
* Central South Wales ('''CSC''') (Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan)
* South East Wales ('''EAS''') (Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen)
The role of Education Consortia is to assist in school improvement in their respective regions. This includes areas such as the effectiveness of schools leadership, the quality of their teaching and pupils results. The South West and Mid Wales Consortia partially broke down in 2020 with Powys, Ceredigion and Neath Port Talbot all leaving. The former two councils then formed an informal partnership whilst Neath Port Talbot remained outside the Consortia system as of March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=The Curriculum for Wales - How are regional consortia and local authorities supporting schools? |url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2022-03/The%20Curriculum%20for%20Wales%20-%20how%20are%20regional%20consortia%20and%20local%20authorities%20supporting%20schools_0.pdf |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=Estyn |page=5 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705220516/https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2022-03/The%20Curriculum%20for%20Wales%20-%20how%20are%20regional%20consortia%20and%20local%20authorities%20supporting%20schools_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Welsh government oversight and Wales-wide institutions ===
The governance of education has been devolved in Wales since the creation of the Welsh assembly in 1999 along with other related policy areas such as Welsh language policy and local government.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2005–2009 |title=BBC – Wales – The National Assembly for Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/culture/sites/aboutwales/pages/national_assembly.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926172412/http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/wales/culture/sites/aboutwales/pages/national_assembly.shtml |archive-date=26 September 2009 |access-date=8 January 2022 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> This has led to the creation of a somewhat distinctive education system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2019 |title=Devolution 20 - Education: How far is it 'made in Wales'? |url=https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/devolution-20-education-how-far-is-it-made-in-wales/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=research.senedd.wales |language=en-GB |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925194747/https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/devolution-20-education-how-far-is-it-made-in-wales/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Arwyn |date=2016-01-25 |title=How Wales Works: Changes to Welsh schools post devolution |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35323992 |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730201422/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35323992 |url-status=live }}</ref> Wales has its own education inspectorate,<ref>{{Cite web |title=What does Estyn do? {{!}} Estyn |url=https://www.estyn.gov.wales/faq/what-does-estyn-do |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=www.estyn.gov.wales |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730201425/https://www.estyn.gov.wales/faq/what-does-estyn-do |url-status=live }}</ref> qualifications regulator<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qualifications Wales / Who we are |url=https://qualificationswales.org/english/about-us/introduction/who-we-are/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=qualificationswales.org |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214134103/https://www.qualificationswales.org/english/about-us/introduction/who-we-are/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Curriculum for Wales - Hwb |url=https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=hwb.gov.wales |language=en |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815115506/https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Curriculum for Wales 2008 - Hwb |url=https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales-2008/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=hwb.gov.wales |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730201506/https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales-2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== UK government role and UK-wide institutions ===
The money the Welsh government has to spend in devolved areas is broadly pegged to money the UK government spends in equivalent areas in England through a system called the [[Barnett formula]]. However, the [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|devolved administrations]] are not obliged to spend the money they receive in the same policy area as it was spent in England (e.g. the equivalent to money spent on health in England could be spent on education in Wales).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-13 |title=Barnett formula: Which parts of the UK have the most money spent on them? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38077948 |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730203002/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38077948 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-10-30 |title=Devolution: What's the Barnett formula? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29477233 |access-date=2022-07-30 |archive-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730201459/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29477233 |url-status=live }}</ref> More broadly Wales's and the other UK education systems are all influenced by their interactions with [[Reserved Matters|reserved matters]] and coexistence within the United Kingdom.<ref name=":6">{{cite web |title=Raffe, D. and Byrne, D. (2005) Policy Learning From 'Home International' Comparisons. Centre for Educational Sociology briefing. |url=http://www.ces.ed.ac.uk/PDF%20Files/Brief034.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423104331/http://www.ces.ed.ac.uk/PDF%20Files/Brief034.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2014 |access-date=23 March 2018 |publisher=University of Edinburgh}}</ref>

== Welsh language ==
{{See also|Welsh-medium education|History of Education in Wales#Language usage}}[[File:Crwys Road Welsh-medium infants school, Cardiff (5204674676).jpg|thumb|Children at Crwys Road infants school, an early Welsh-medium school in [[Cardiff]] (1951)]]In the 19th century Welsh was often repressed by schools.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter="Treason" and its Aftermath, c.1847 - 1879}}</ref><ref name=":63">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=The State and the Nation, 1870-1902}}</ref> In the 20th century the language gradually gained a more prominent role in the education system.<ref name=":72">{{Cite book |last=Keane |first=Ann |title=Watchdogs or Visionaries?: Perspectives on the History of the Education Inspectorate in Wales |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2022 |editor-last=Keane |editor-first=Ann |chapter=Owen Edwards, The Welsh Department and the school curriculum. |asin=B0BLCS7YDK}}</ref><ref name=":102">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Gareth Elwyn |title=History of Education in Wales |last2=Roderick |first2=Gordon Wynne |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0708318089 |chapter=Comprehensive change, 1965-1979}}</ref> 

A significant minority of students in Wales are educated largely through the medium of [[Welsh language|Welsh]]: in 2014/15, 15.7% of children and young people received Welsh-medium education – a drop from the 15.9% in 2010/11.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 August 2016 |title=Comisiynydd: Nifer y plant mewn addysg Gymraeg yn 'sioc' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/36974022 |access-date=24 January 2017 |website=BBC Cymru Fyw |publisher=BBC |language=cy |archive-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223205349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/36974022 |url-status=live }}</ref> An additional 10% attended schools in which significant portion of the curriculum is bilingual.<ref name=":8" />  The study of the Welsh language is available to all age groups through nurseries,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mudiad Meithrin Annual Report: 2018-2019 |url=https://www.meithrin.cymru/creo_files/upload/downloads/terfynol_saes_adroddiad_blynyddol_18-19_llai.pdf |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=Mudia Meithrin |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814160216/https://www.meithrin.cymru/creo_files/upload/downloads/terfynol_saes_adroddiad_blynyddol_18-19_llai.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> schools,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=Welsh in education: Action Plan 2017–2021 |url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-02/welsh-in-education-action-plan-2017%E2%80%9321.pdf#:~:text=Welsh%20was%20included%20in%20the%20national%20curriculum%20following,all%20learners%20across%20Wales%20at%20Key%20Stage%204. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822103422/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-02/welsh-in-education-action-plan-2017%E2%80%9321.pdf |archive-date=22 August 2020 |publisher=[[Welsh Government]] |page=16}}</ref> colleges,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Learning activities at further education institutions by subject and medium of delivery |url=https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Post-16-Education-and-Training/Further-Education-and-Work-Based-Learning/Learners/Further-Education/learningactivitiesfurthereducationinstitutions-by-subject-mediumofdelivery |access-date=2017-07-20 |website=statswales.gov.wales |language=EN |archive-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907124118/https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Post-16-Education-and-Training/Further-Education-and-Work-Based-Learning/Learners/Further-Education/learningactivitiesfurthereducationinstitutions-by-subject-mediumofdelivery |url-status=live }}</ref> and universities,<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Welsh language in higher education: September 2020 to August 2021 |url=https://gov.wales/welsh-language-higher-education-september-2020-august-2021 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=GOV.WALES |date=28 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809105843/https://gov.wales/welsh-language-higher-education-september-2020-august-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in adult education. Though, involvement is fairly limited above secondary school level.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":13" /> The study of the language is compulsory for all pupils in State Schools until the age of 16.<ref name=":4" /> 

Educational institutions have flexibility over how much English children are taught prior to the age of seven.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-28 |title=School curriculum overhaul for Wales published |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-51267393 |access-date=2022-05-31 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531205727/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-51267393 |url-status=live }}</ref> This is in order to allow Welsh medium schools and nurseries to immerse young children in the language as much as possible.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-01-30 |title=Curriculum worry over compulsory English in Welsh nurseries |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47059169 |access-date=2022-05-31 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531205729/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47059169 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the later years of primary school, the curriculum at Welsh medium schools continues to be mostly (70% or more) taught in Welsh whilst at secondary level all subjects other than English are taught in Welsh.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Megan |date=August 2016 |title=Welsh-medium education and Welsh as a subject |url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/27029/1/16-048-english-web.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601063524/https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/27029/1/16-048-english-web.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=National Assembly for Wales (research service) |pages=5 to 7}}</ref> However, as they get older, students in Welsh medium education are required to work towards the same tests and qualifications in the English language as their counterparts who were primarily educated in English.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2019 |title=National Reading and Numeracy Test Results: 2019 |url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-08/national-reading-and-numeracy-test-results-2019-083.pdf |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524184933/https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-08/national-reading-and-numeracy-test-results-2019-083.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Year 8 and 9 subject options {{!}} Careers Wales |url=https://careerswales.gov.wales/courses-and-training/year-8-and-9-subject-options |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=careerswales.gov.wales |language=en |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117170210/https://careerswales.gov.wales/courses-and-training/year-8-and-9-subject-options |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Legislation ==

=== Education (Wales) Measure 2009 ===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = Education (Wales) Measure 2009
| type = measure
| parliament = National Assembly for Wales
| long_title = A Measure of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision for children to have a right of appeal in respect of special educational needs, and a right to make a claim in respect of disability discrimination in schools, to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales; to make provision for the following in relation to special educational needs and disability discrimination in schools: advice and information services, arrangements for dispute resolution other than by appeals and claims to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales, and independent advocacy services; to make provision for piloting of the provisions of Part 1 of this Measure; to make provision about the curriculum in schools in Wales; and for connected purposes.
| year = 2009
| citation = 2009 nawm 5
| introduced_by = [[Jane Hutt]] AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
| royal_assent = 9 December 2009
| status = Amended
| use_new_UK-LEG = yes
| UK-LEG_title = Education (Wales) Measure 2009
| collapsed = y
}}
The Education (Wales) Measure 2009 made certain reforms to allow appeals and claims of disability discrimination to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-02-17 |title=Education (Wales) Measure |url=https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/other/education-wales-measure |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250829134759/https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/other/education-wales-measure |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-08-29 |work=Children and Young People Now}}</ref>

=== Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 ===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009
| type = measure
| parliament = National Assembly for Wales
| long_title = A Measure of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about the entitlement to education of children in the last two years of compulsory schooling and young persons who have not attained the age of nineteen; to make provision as regards the provision by maintained schools and institutions within the further education sector of services related to education; to make provision for the disclosure of curriculum information; and for connected purposes.
| year = 2009
| citation = 2009 nawm 1
| introduced_by = [[John Griffiths (Welsh politician)|John Griffiths]] AM - Deputy Minister for Skills
| royal_assent = 13 May 2009
| status = Current
| legislation_history = https://senedd.wales/archive/third-assembly-2007-2011/legislation-third-assembly/learning-and-skills-wales-measure-2009/
| use_new_UK-LEG = yes
| UK-LEG_title = Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009
| collapsed = y
}}
The Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 changed the curriculum to widen pupil choice.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Nicola |date=2009-03-17 |title=New law to widen pupils' choice |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7947328.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829134349/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7947328.stm |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-08-29 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Education (Wales) Measure 2011 ===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = Education (Wales) Measure 2011
| type = measure
| parliament = National Assembly for Wales
| long_title = A Measure of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision for collaboration between local authorities, governing bodies of maintained schools and further education institutions; to make provision for the federation of maintained schools, the training of governors and clerks to governing bodies of maintained schools and the provision of such clerks; to make provision prohibiting new foundation schools; and for connected purposes.
| year = 2009
| citation = 2011 nawm 7
| introduced_by = [[Leighton Andrews]] AM, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning
| royal_assent = 10 May 2011
| status = Amended
| legislation_history = https://senedd.wales/archive/third-assembly-2007-2011/legislation-third-assembly/education-wales-measure-2011/
| use_new_UK-LEG = yes
| UK-LEG_title = Education (Wales) Measure 2011
| collapsed = y
}}

The Education (Wales) Measure 2011 facilitated the establishment of federations of schools.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Leighton |date=2011-02-02 |title=Teaching makes a difference |url=https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2011/02/teaching-makes-a-difference/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708234940/https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2011/02/teaching-makes-a-difference/ |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Institute of Welsh Affairs |language=en-US}}</ref> The measure also established statutory training for governors and effective clerking.<ref name=":2" />

=== Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014 ===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title = Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014
| type = welsh assembly act
| parliament = National Assembly for Wales
| long_title = An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about the governance of institutions within the further education sector and about the supply of information in connection with the provision of support to students in further or higher education.
| year = 2009
| citation = 2014 anaw 1
| introduced_by = [[Leighton Andrews]] AM, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning
| royal_assent = 27 January 2014
| status = Current
| legislation_history = https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=6429
| use_new_UK-LEG = yes
| UK-LEG_title = Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014
| collapsed = y
}}
In 2010, the Office for National Statistics announced that it reclassified the further education colleges due to the Welsh Government's control over matters such as pay rates.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2013-03-26 |title=There are other ways forward for further education sector in Wales |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/ways-forward-further-education-sector-2019118 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250830091029/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/ways-forward-further-education-sector-2019118 |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=[[Wales Online]]}}</ref> The Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014 changed the governance arrangements to allow the ONS to return the classification as private, by transferring more autonomy to individual FE colleges.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Further and Higher Education {{!}} LexisNexis |url=https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/legislation/welsh-acts/further-and-higher-education-governance-and-information-wales-act-2014-anaw1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250830092104/https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/legislation/welsh-acts/further-and-higher-education-governance-and-information-wales-act-2014-anaw1 |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=LexisNexis |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Wales|Education
}}

* [[Education]]
* [[Education in the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of education articles by country]]

=== Aspects ===
*[[Home education in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Primary education in Wales]]
*[[Secondary education in Wales]]

=== Elsewhere in the UK ===

*[[Education in England]]
*[[Education in Northern Ireland]]
*[[Education in Scotland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://hwb.gov.wales/ Hwb] - Homepage of the [[Welsh Government|Welsh government]]'s website on education.
*[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/219167/v01-2012ukes.pdf EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE UK] - 2013 [[UK Government]] document covering education across the UK. Includes detailed information related to Wales. May now be somewhat out of date.
*[https://senedd.wales/how-we-work/history-of-devolution/ History of devolution] - [[Senedd|Welsh Parliament]] website page covering the history of [[Welsh devolution|Welsh Devolution]] and governing arrangements for Wales more generally. 
*[https://www.rcahmw.gov.uk Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales] in English and Welsh
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051202092428/http://www.lifelonglearninguk.org/nationsregions/wales_links.html Welsh FE Colleges]

{{Education in Wales}}{{Education in the United Kingdom}}{{Economy of Wales}}{{Education in Europe}}
{{Wales topics}}

[[Category:Education in Wales| ]]