SWSC 1 - 4 Supporting Teaching and Learning
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Identify the main types of Schools and Colleges
Schools
State schools in Wales, also known as maintained schools, are funded by local authorities and provide free education to pupils aged 4–16 (compulsory) or up to 19 in some cases, overseen by the Welsh Government rather than academies as in England. The primary types include: Community schools, which are fully owned and managed by the local authority, offering broad access and following the national curriculum; voluntary controlled schools, typically faith-based (e.g., Church in Wales or Roman Catholic), owned by a charity but with staff employed and admissions controlled by the local authority; voluntary aided schools, similar to voluntary controlled but with greater autonomy for the governing body in employing staff, setting admissions, and managing finances while still receiving state funding; and foundation schools, owned by the governing body or a foundation with limited local authority involvement in admissions. Additionally, community special schools and maintained nursery schools cater to specific needs, such as additional learning needs (ALN) or early years education, ensuring inclusive provision across all maintained categories.
Examples of schools in Wales
St Nicholas Church in Wales Primary School is a primary school in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, for students aged 4-11.
The school follows the Curriculum for Wales and uses a thematic, inquiry-based approach to education with a Christian ethos.
The curriculum at St Nicholas Church in Wales Primary School is designed to foster a love of learning through half-termly themes and “I wonder” questions. It emphasizes developing a deep understanding of subjects and includes lessons on diversity. The school places a strong focus on early communication and reading skills through daily phonics and reading sessions. Core subjects taught include English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art and Design, PE, Religious Education, and Music.
The school offers a variety of clubs to help students explore interests and develop skills. These include Art Club, sports
clubs, Music, Science Club, and Cookery Club. A breakfast club is also available, providing a safe and supervised environment for students before school.
As a Church in Wales primary school, it integrates a Christian ethos into its teaching and values. The school is located in a rural setting, but many students come from the western suburbs of Cardiff. It operates using mixed-age classes and has an approximate enrolment of 125 pupils.
Millbank Primary School offers an exciting curriculum that has value to the children and has purpose, as well as a progressive and inclusive curriculum that supports and challenges all pupils, while also helping to develop skills at the right level for the individual.
The curriculum is communication-rich, and develops critical thinking, creativity and empathy skills. Their curriculum also fosters aspirations, excitement for the future, and includes careers and work-related experience. The curriculum also enables learners to be ambitious, capable, enterprising, creative, ethical, informed, healthy and confident young people.
The curriculum also makes ongoing assessments and arrangements to support learners’ progression throughout the school year.
The school offers multiple extracurricular activities, such as football clubs, art clubs and guitar clubs.
Westbourne School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Penarth, Wales. Founded in 1896, it caters to students from ages 2 to 18, from Nursery through to Sixth Form. It is known for its academic excellence and innovative approach to education, with a particular focus on STEM subjects.
Westbourne’s academic program is designed to be future-focused. Students start their GCSEs in Year 9, which is earlier than in most schools. The Sixth Form offers both A-Levels and the International (IB) Diploma Programme, with the school being a leader in IB education. The school is highly regarded for its STEM curriculum, integrating subjects like coding, robotics, and even Artificial Intelligence into its learning. It has a strong record of students progressing to top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
The school offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities to provide a well-rounded education.
These include a variety of sports, arts programs, and clubs such as debating, chess, and cookery. The school also has a unique Forest & Beach School program, which provides outdoor education in the local natural environment, including the Welsh coastline and nearby lakes.
Age range: Mary Immaculate’s age range is 11 to 16 years old.
What does the Highschool offer in relation to educational opportunities?
Mary Immaculate offers a broad curriculum encompassing subjects such as art, design technology, drama, food technology, business, tourism, alongside academic subjects such as English, Welsh, maths, science, religious studies and physical education. Students benefit from the enrichment program that has been set up where they do out of lesson activities such as yoga, gardening, textiles, sports and many more. This benefits the student’s well-being and allows them to build more knowledge. The Highschool allows access to a chapel where the students of different religions, not just catholic, can go and visit. There is also a “bridge” which is a room filled with support that the students can go to if they are struggling and need to talk. This can really benefit the student’s well-being to “achieve the best for all.”
Colleges
Colleges in Wales primarily refer to further education (FE) institutions providing post-16 education, including vocational training, apprenticeships, and some higher education qualifications like HNCs, HNDs, and foundation degrees, often in partnership with universities. There are around 15 main FE colleges, varying by size and mission, such as general FE colleges (e.g., Cardiff and Vale College, Gower College Swansea) offering broad courses in subjects like engineering, health, and arts; tertiary colleges serving as comprehensive post-16 providers for a local area; and specialist institutions focused on sectors like land-based studies or adult education. Additionally, sixth form colleges emphasize academic A-levels and pathways to higher education, including one Roman Catholic example (St David’s Catholic College). These publicly funded colleges support over 260,000 learners annually, with strong industry links and progression routes to universities, distinct from higher education universities.
Examples of a Welsh College
For students ages 16 to 19, St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College in Cardiff offers a broad range of educational options. With a comprehensive curriculum that includes A Levels, BTECs, GCSEs, and the Welsh Baccalaureate, this is the only Roman Catholic sixth form in Wales. It guarantees various pathways to university, apprenticeships, or employment. With individual tutors, career counselling, and mentorship to help students reach their objectives, the college is renowned for its excellent academic and pastoral support. Many students go on to attend prestigious universities, such as those in the Russell Group, while others are successful in pursuing specialised occupations or vocational pathways.