Education Minister Huw Lewis AM, has announced that Ebbw Fawr Learning Community has been chosen as one of the schools who will lead on the design and development of the new curriculum for Wales which is due to be available to schools by 2018.
In a double announcement the Minister also said that Ebbw Fawr has been ask to join the network of schools who are leading on the new arrangements for teachers professional development to ensure that all teachers in Wales get high quality, professional learning opportunities throughout their careers. The selected schools will work together as pioneer schools driving forward improvements in standards.
Mr. Lewis said
“All of our pioneer schools will have a crucial role in ensuring that our ambitious and exciting future for education in Wales is realised.”
Ebbw Fawr Director Graeme Harkness said after the announcement
“I am delighted to say that Ebbw Fawr has been asked to become a New Deal Pioneer School and a New Curriculum Pioneer School. This is a tremendous accolade for the school, but particularly for the staff who have readily engaged to improve their practice over the last three years. We are now working through the implications of this and look forward to sharing the outstanding practice that exists here with other school across Wales”
During the launch conference in Cardiff a member of staff at Ebbw Fawr, Rebecca Hodson was invited to speak after the Minister to provide a teachers view of the impact of the schools work and particularly the impact when professionals take responsibility for their own learning.