Reshaping the effective delivery of early years and primary education in Wales.
The Welsh Government’s Foundation Phase is a radical new statutory curriculum for all 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales, focusing on developmental, experiential and active learning.
A Cardiff University evaluation of the Foundation Phase assessed its effectiveness and provided recommendations for its continued improvement.
These recommendations resulted in an additional £1M of investment by the Welsh Government to develop the skills of Foundation Phase staff, new guidance material for policymakers and teachers, and ambitious new targets to close the attainment gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in Wales.
Improving the Foundation Phase
The research concluded that the Foundation Phase had been successful and that its approach and design should be continued and supported by Welsh Government.
It generated 29 formal recommendations for further development of the Foundation Phase, including more information and involvement for parents and carers; a need for increased training; and more practical advice for teachers.
All 29 recommendations were formally accepted by the (then) Minister for Education, Huw Lewis AM. He thanked the researchers for their “extremely robust and comprehensive approach” and their “continuing support and vigour in delivering a successful early education experience for our youngest learners".
As a result, the Welsh Government established the Foundation Phase Expert Panel to coordinate the implementation of the recommendations. This led to a 34-point Foundation Phase Action Plan in November 2016.
Following the establishment of the plan, the Welsh Government announced a £1M uplift to develop teaching skills of those delivering the Foundation Phase and established the Foundation Phase Excellence Network to ensure consistent and effective implementation of the Foundation Phase.
Important impact on all young learners in Wales
Cardiff University’s evaluation of the new Foundation Phase curriculum demonstrated that Wales’ flagship early years education policy was improving children’s educational achievement, wellbeing and involvement.
Acting on the results of the evaluation, the Welsh Government agreed to continue to develop and enhance the Foundation Phase, positively impacting all young learners in Wales.
Subsequently, the Welsh Government began a complete overhaul of the school curriculum for all learners up to age 16, following the principles of the Foundation Phase.