Experts from all fields of Welsh education will meet for a two-day symposium this week to focus on transforming the way our children are taught.
Head-teachers, education directors, union leaders, industry directors, government advisors and college principals will join all the Welsh bishops to take part in the symposium which is organised by the Church in Wales, in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government.
Called Transforming Education, Transforming Performance, the symposium will focus on the belief that performance and behaviours can be improved to benefit the wellbeing of children, the prevention of longer term problems, a more cohesive society and far higher quality skills, competences, attitudes and aspirations in Wales.
The key-note address will be given by Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. Those giving presentations include:
- Geraint Rees, planning and partnership manager of Cardiff Council and former head-teacher Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr;
- Margaret Matthews, director of global operations at Dow Corning Ltd;
- Prof David Egan, director of the Centre of Applied Education Research at UWIC;
- David Hawker, director general of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills;
- Bethan Guilfoyle, head-teacher of Treorchy Comprehensive School.
The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said the symposium aimed to inspire and challenge all those involved in education in Wales.
He said, “We hope every participant will use this special opportunity to stretch their own thinking and challenge themselves and their organisations to find new approaches to the problems discussed. By sharing our best ideas together we hope we will generate inspiration and commitment to work in new ways in the future.
“As a church we are committed to working in partnership with different organisations on the main challenges for the future in Wales. This symposium follows on the success of our previous two which addressed leadership and transforming communities.”
David Hawker, director general of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said, “The All Wales Symposium is an excellent opportunity for church leaders and leading educational experts to spend quality time examining some of the most important issues around education in Wales today. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to working in partnership with others at both national and local level to secure the best outcomes possible for our children, young people and learners. So I am delighted that the Church in Wales has decided to host this year’s Symposium on the theme of education, and I am greatly looking forward to our discussions.”
The symposium takes place on November 25-26 at The Manor, Crickhowell.
Those taking part in the symposium are:
Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan
Bishop of Monmouth, Dominic Walker
Bishop of Bangor, Andy John
Bishop of Swansea & Brecon, John Davies
Bishop of St Davids, Wyn Evans
Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron
Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, David Wilbourne
Canon Robin Morrison, Bishops’ Adviser on Church and Society
Revd Edwin Counsell, Bishops’ Adviser on Education
Professor David Hawker, Director General, DCELLSs, WAG
Professor David Egan, Director, Centre for Applied Education Research, UWIC
Dr David Lankshear, Programme Leader and Research Fellow, St Mary’s Centre
Peter McGowan, Managing Director, Cordel Gowan Ltd
Margaret Matthews, Director, Global Operations, Dow Corning Ltd
Mike Keating, Director of Education & Lifelong Learning, RCT
Jane Morris, Director, Governors Wales
Gary Brace, Chief Exec., General Teaching Council for Wales)
Rita Price, Director of Schools, Diocese of Wrexham
Geraint Rees, Planning & Partnerships Manager, Cardiff Council
Ann Keane, Head of Directorate (Education Providers), Estyn
Nigel Jones, Primary Headteacher, Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon, Trefeglws
Gerry Jenson, Assistant Principal, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru
Bethan Guilfoyle, Headteacher, Treorchy Comprehensive School
Tim Pratt, Headteacher, St Teilo’s CW High School, Cardiff
Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
Cherrie Taylor, Executive Officer Swansea & Brecon Diocese Board for Social Responsibility
