Pa ganran o blant galluog a thalentog a oedd yn derbyn gofal ac a oedd yn gymwys am brydau ysgol am ddim aeth ymlaen i fynd i Brifysgol Caergrawnt neu Brifysgol Rhydychen yn 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 a 2017, gan nodi bob blwyddyn ar wahân?
To support schools in maximising the impact of the funding available via the Pupil Development Grant (PDG), the Welsh Government has provided guidance and resources for supporting pupils of all abilities that are eligible for free school meals (eFSM), including those identified as more able and talented. These can be accessed at the link below.
http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/deprivation/pdg-and-early-years-pdg/?lang=en
The final report from the evaluation of the PDG, published in December 2017, set out that, while the overall attainment gap at Key Stage 4 was closing, ‘there remains some ambiguity in schools about whether the PDG should be used to help lower attaining eFSM pupils or help all eFSM pupils fulfil their potential’. With that in mind, we will be working with the regional consortia and stakeholders to understand what additional guidance is required to ensure that evidence-based decisions which continue to maximise the impact of the PDG, for all eFSM pupils, are taken by schools.
We are investing unprecedented amounts – over £90m this year, and plan to invest a further £187m over the next two years – through the PDG, to support our schools to improve outcomes for eFSM pupils. This includes those pupils who are more able and talented. Breaking the cycle of deprivation and poverty is a long term commitment. We remain committed to the PDG for the remainder of this Assembly term
In addition, we have also published school-level guidance for supporting more able and talented pupils, including those eligible for assistance via the PDG. ‘Meeting the Challenge, Quality Standards in Education for More Able and Talented Pupils’ was co-developed with the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) in 2008. In October 2012, the Welsh Government commissioned NACE to produce a training pack to enable teachers to further develop and carry on embedding provision for more able and talented pupils in schools. The training pack was intended to support schools in providing high quality, stretching, learning experiences for all more able and talented pupils, including those eligible for PDG assistance. The guidance is available at the link below:
http://learning.gov.wales/docs/learningwales/publications/131016-meeting-the-challenge-en.pdf
In terms of processes we have put in place to ensure that able and talented pupils eligible for assistance via the PDG are being adequately supported, we are continuing to work with the regional education consortia to strengthen their management arrangements, ensuring a strong focus on early intervention and addressing barriers to learning as they are identified. Their efforts continue to be discussed as part of the Challenge and Review process and the progress of eFSM pupils is considered within our National Schools Categorisation System.
In terms of the percentage of those eFSM able and talented pupils that went on to attend university, Russell Group universities, and Oxbridge between 2012 and 2017 there is no national register for more able and talented pupils at this time.
Your final set of questions addressed the percentage of eFSM looked after children that went on to attend university, Russell Group universities, and Oxbridge between 2012 and 2017. Due to the size of the cohorts involved, the figures cannot be released due to the risk of disclosure of information about individuals.
In this context though, the Welsh Government has sought to improve the quality and reliability of destination data it collects on disadvantaged groups such as looked after children. Our looked after children in education plan Raising the ambitions and educational attainment of children who are looked after in Wales (January 2016) contains six themes, one of which is more effective use of data.
We are currently exploring opportunities to create an annual matched dataset which will make it easier to undertake analysis on pupils’ progression/ destination in the future (including children who are/were looked after).
Finally, you will be aware that on 27 February I will be delivering an oral statement, setting out my proposals for supporting our more able and talented pupils going forward, and in the context of Education in Wales: Our national mission.