Dysg e-Newsletter: 24 September 2026 • Issue 825
Updates from Education Wales and partners.
Featured
- Programme for Government sets “a new ambition for Wales” — The programme sets out the Welsh Government’s priorities and plans over the four-year Senedd term, following the Senedd election on 7 May.
- Chapter 4: Raising standards in our schools, and ensuring the best conditions for learning
Welsh Government Education News
- First school swimming lessons begin for Year 4 and 5 pupils — From this month, Year 4 and 5 pupils will begin to receive a minimum of 20 hours of swimming and water safety lessons. Nine local authorities are involved in the first phase.
- Closing soon – The Welsh in Education Teacher Retention Bursary — The application window for the £5,000 Welsh in Education Teacher Retention Bursary closes on 30 September 2026. Check your eligibility and apply before the deadline.
- Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Data Fields: Guidance for PLASC, the EOTAS Census and SWAC 2026 to 2027 — The guidance supports schools and local authorities to record the new and revised ALN data fields introduced from September 2026. It aims to promote consistent and accurate recording across Wales.
- Welsh Government response: Estyn thematic report – Developing respect and understanding: The quality and impact of Relationships and Sexuality Education in schools and pupil referral units — You can also read the full report on the Estyn website .
Partner Education News
- Estyn thematic report: Education Welfare Services — This thematic report examines how effectively Education Welfare Services support schools, pupil referral units, parents and carers to address persistent absenteeism.
- Dysgu is recruiting — Dysgu is looking for inspiring educators and school leaders to help shape national professional learning programmes for educators across Wales. Opportunities are available for Dysgu Designers specialising in:
- Digital & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
- Pedagogy
- Qualifications Wales: Skills for Life and Skills for Work: preparing every learner for life beyond the classroom .
Public Health Wales
- Flu vaccine: communication toolkit for schools — The flu vaccine is offered free to all children from Reception to Year 11 and helps protect children against flu while reducing its spread within schools and communities. Schools are encouraged to remind families to take up the offer. Download resources from the Public Health Wales Brandkit or view the flu vaccine communications toolkit .
Events and Resources
- Strengthen your school’s cyber resilience this October — A series of free webinars and training sessions are available during October to help school leaders and staff strengthen cyber resilience and prepare for potential cyber incidents.
- Live lessons with Adobe and Just2easy — Online sessions that teachers can join live with their class to develop digital skills. Learners can follow engaging activities in real time using tools available through Hwb.
- NEST in Action podcasts — The series explores how Wales is building a more joined-up system to support the mental health and wellbeing of babies, children, young people and their families. Listen to NEST in Action on Apple Podcasts .
- International Languages Day – 26 September 2026 — Discover different ways to support your school and inspire learners to explore new languages and cultures.
- Erasmus+ webinars – schools and youth — Join free webinars offering an introduction to Erasmus+ for schools and youth organisations and advice on finding the right EU partner. The next webinar takes place on 29 September.
- Education calendar on Hwb — Find more education resources and key dates.
Surveys and Consultations
- Review to shape future speech, language and communication support across Wales — Views are being sought from early years, schools, post-16 provision and families to help shape future support. Complete the survey through The Balanced System .
- Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru data collection survey — The survey will help build a clearer national and local picture of service children in Wales, including where they are educated and any support needs arising from service life. Responses are requested by 31 October 2026.
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 – 24 September 2026 • Issue 825. View the original bulletin .
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