Welsh Conservatives have today called for a ‘middle phase’ to integrate the school system and bridge the gap between 8 and 13 year olds.
During an opposition debate, the group has highlighted how it believes the existing structure ignores children within that age group.
Two Educational Task & Finish Groups have recently found that structural issues lie at the heart of the failings of the Welsh education system.
Shadow Minister for Education, Angela Burns AM, said:
“Right now – there is a gap in the provision of education for eight to 13 year olds.
“While the existing framework for three to seven year olds is provided by the ‘Foundation Phase’ and for 14 to 19 year olds by ‘Learning Pathways’, we do not have a similar framework for pupils in-between.
“Despite that, we know that many students find the transition from primary to secondary school difficult.
“One in six pupils feels ill-prepared for secondary school. Fixed term exclusions rise from 614 in Year Six, to 1,960 in Year Seven. It is clear from these figures that too many children find the shift up problematic.
“The Welsh Labour government should not continue to ignore what is a critical age range for our pupils.
“Labour needs to rediscover the reformist agenda that came up with Foundation Phase, and put it use on a solution for improving provision for eight to 13 year olds.”
