Skip to Main Content

Apply Online

Return to Starting Schools Booklet Contents Page

The Curriculum for Wales:

Education in Wales is changing to reflect changes and challenges in our world now, and in the future. To address these challenges, the Welsh Government wants to make sure that your child has the knowledge, skills, experiences, and confidence to make the most of life.

Teacher and education experts have been working together to develop the Curriculum for Wales. This aims to prepare children to thrive in a future where digital skills, adaptability and creativity are crucial, and that is rooted in Welsh values and culture.

The new Curriculum for Wales is statutory for all maintained schools in Wales and will be followed by children from the ages of three to 16. The Curriculum for Wales has been designed with learner progression at the heart and provides a continuum of learning across all ages. All primary schools in Monmouthshire are developing their individual approaches to the Curriculum for Wales.

At the same time, all Monmouthshire secondary schools introduced the Curriculum for Wales for all Year 7 pupils in 2022 and from 2026, the Curriculum for Wales will be delivered for all secondary school pupils. Many schools in Monmouthshire continue to design their own approach to the Curriculum for Wales to reflect the needs of their pupils and the context of the school and realise the four purposes which are the foundation of the curriculum. This means that all pupils, whatever the school will be supported to become:

• ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their life

• enterprising, creative contributor, ready to play a full part in life and work

• ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world

• healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives

• valued members of society

The Four Purposes of the Curriculum:

As well as literacy, numeracy and digital skills, there are six areas of learning. Everything your child learns will be connected to these areas.

  • Expressive arts
  • Health and well-being
  • Humanities (including Religion Values and Ethics)
  • Languages, literacy, and communication (including Welsh, up to the age of 16 and modern foreign languages).
  • Mathematics and numeracy
  • Science and technology

The Curriculum for Wales also providers learners with theopportunity to develop an awareness and understanding of the following important aspects:

  • Human rights
  • Diversity and respecting differences
  • Experiences and skills for careers and the workplace
  • Learning about local, national and international contexts
  • Developmentally appropriate relationships and
  • Sexuality education.