Dysg e-Newsletter: 15 October 2026 • Issue 828
Updates from Education Wales and partners.
Featured
- Agreement reached on Supplementary Budget — An additional £60 million has been secured for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) during the 2026–27 financial year. The funding will support schools, colleges and local authorities across Wales as part of wider investment in education.
- Written Statement: Developing a sustainable Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system — The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language has outlined plans to address immediate pressures within the ALN system while developing a more sustainable long-term approach.
- Written Statement: Teacher pay award 2026 to 2027 — The confirmed award includes a 3.5% increase to teachers’ and school leaders’ pay scales and a 5% increase to the unqualified teachers’ pay scale. The award will be backdated to 1 September 2026.
- National Support Programme for Curriculum and Assessment Design — Strengthen curriculum development in your school or setting through practical guidance, collaborative professional learning, Curriculum for Wales Design Institute resources and expert coaching. Cohort 10 begins on 5 November 2026.
- New resources to help learners explore the legacy of the Aberfan disaster — New digital learning resources from Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales are available to help schools explore the Aberfan disaster and its legacy with learners in a sensitive and appropriate way.
Welsh Government Education News
- Personalised Assessments: key reminders and resources for 2026 to 2027 — Helpful information and resources are available to support schools completing personalised assessments during the current academic year.
- Foundation learning pedagogy and practice monthly update – October 2026: curriculum — Practical resources and professional learning are available to support inclusive, child-centred pedagogy, reflective planning, curriculum development and practice across Wales.
- Update on the future of the Professional Learning Passport (PLP) — Following the establishment of Dysgu, responsibility for the Professional Learning Passport will transfer from the Education Workforce Council (EWC) to Dysgu from September 2028.
- Welsh Government response to Estyn report: Post-16 attendance and participation — Read the Welsh Government’s response to Estyn’s evaluation of attendance, participation and provider practice across Wales.
- Welsh Government response to Estyn report: Known, included and ambitious – promoting the education of care-experienced learners — The response sets out how Welsh Government intends to address Estyn’s recommendations concerning the education and support of care-experienced learners.
Partner Updates
- Dysgu: Welsh teachers in English-medium secondary schools roadshow — Taking place from 2 to 10 November at locations across Wales, these practical professional learning sessions will focus on effective language-learning pedagogy. Participants will explore new resources and approaches, reflect on current practice and develop practical ideas to use in school. Book your place .
Health & Wellbeing
- HPV vaccination programme: school communication toolkit — A communication toolkit is available to help schools support the HPV vaccination programme and share clear and trusted information with learners, parents and carers.
- Prepare for winter – don’t forget your RSV vaccine — Eligible people, including pregnant women and vulnerable groups, are being encouraged to take up the RSV vaccine as part of preparations for winter.
Education Support: October Updates
- Culture Development Service feedback — Find out what schools across Wales are saying about the Culture Development Service and the support available through this free funded programme.
- Free workshops for TAs and LSAs in Wales — Education Support has recorded a range of free workshops specifically for Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants, covering areas including healthy boundaries, staying connected to your purpose, mental health and wellbeing, stress management and self-regulation.
- Download the bilingual wellbeing toolkit for TAs and LSAs — A dedicated wellbeing toolkit is available for Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants working in Wales.
Events
- Erasmus+ for Schools – organisations and local authorities — Online sessions will take place on 4 and 5 November for organisations and local authorities planning larger-scale Erasmus+ schools applications.
- Funded Intensive Learn Welsh Courses for Education Sector Staff — Entry-level funded Welsh courses will be available to education sector staff during the third school term of 2026–27. A grant is also available towards supply costs. Find out more on the Learn Welsh website .
- European Film Festival for Welsh Schools — Schools across Wales can access inspiring films in Welsh, BSL, French, German and Spanish free of charge until 23 October 2026. Classroom resources and a national film review competition are also available.
- Adoption UK training for schools and settings — Free online sessions begin on 3 November 2026. The training explores why care-experienced learners may experience difficulties regulating their behaviour and provides strategies for supporting them effectively and compassionately using a trauma-informed approach.
About Dysg
Dysg is the official education e-newsletter from Welsh Government. Dysg provides updates and developments across the education and training sectors in Wales.
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Source: Dysg e-Newsletter – 15 October 2026 • Issue 828. View the original bulletin .
