Young people leave school knowing little about the story of Wales

The Curriculum for Wales is a significant reform in the country's education system. It aims to provide pupils with a consistent exposure to Welsh history. However, the implementation of this requirement is unclear, and schools are left to interpret what constitutes 'consistent' exposure. History teachers face many challenges, including limited time, expertise, and resources. The curriculum's design allows schools to develop their own focus, which may lead to inconsistent outcomes. A report by Estyn found that many secondary schools only include cursory references to local and Welsh history. The Welsh Government does not collect data on what topics are taught within schools, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum. Reforms are being introduced at the GCSE level, requiring an in-depth study of a Welsh history topic. However, the detail and nature of implementation may undermine this aspiration. The lack of clear evidence on how the curriculum is being implemented makes it challenging to evaluate its success. The Welsh Government's commitment to Welsh history is evident, but the design of the Curriculum for Wales may hinder its delivery.