Latest news with #Welsh-medium
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cardiff Council Celebrates Progress in its Goal to Create a 'Truly Bilingual' City
Cardiff Council says its Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2024/25 reveals 'significant progress' in promoting the Welsh language across the capital. The report highlights key achievements in workforce training, education, and public engagement, and the council said it reinforces Cardiff's ambition to become a 'truly bilingual' city. Key achievements include: A 10% increase in Welsh-speaking staff, with 1,480 council employees now reporting Welsh language skills—representing nearly 19% of the council's workforce. Over 1,400 staff have received Welsh language training, surpassing the council's 2027 target two years ahead of schedule. In excess of 13.8 million words were translated by the Bilingual Cardiff team, supporting both internal services and external partners. 689 hours of simultaneous translation was provided to support 252 bilingual events and meetings. 17.7% of reception pupils and an increase to 19.7% of nursery children enrolled in Welsh-medium schools. Over 700 students attended the Gyrfa Gymraeg careers fair, promoting Welsh language career pathways. Welsh language social media reach grew to nearly 5,000 followers, generating over 450,000 impressions. Council Leader Cllr Huw Thomas said: 'Cardiff remains the local authority with the third highest number of Welsh speakers in Wales and it's great to see the progress made over the past year, as we work to support Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050. 'This report reflects our commitment to making Cardiff a truly bilingual capital where the Welsh language thrives in everyday life – from schools and workplaces to public services and cultural events.' Local authorities in Wales have a statutory duty to comply with Welsh Language Standards Regulations that explain how they as organisations will use the Welsh language in different situations. Cardiff is expected to comply with 171 standards, including the requirement to produce this annual compliance report. The report also marks a historic first – a full Welsh language impact assessment was conducted, and a bespoke Welsh language policy developed, for Cardiff's Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP), setting a precedent for future planning policy across Wales. The Cymraeg i Bawb (Welsh for All) regional partnership to promote access to Welsh-medium education in Southeast Wales, chaired by Cardiff Council, has been hailed a success and will now be expanded nationally with doubled Welsh Government funding. Looking ahead, the council will revise its Bilingual Cardiff Strategy and Welsh in Education Strategic Plan in 2025/26 to align with the new LDP and strengthen its data-driven approach to measuring progress.
South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Welsh language learning partnership launched by council
The council is working with the National Centre for Learning Welsh to help more adults who work with children and young people learn or improve their Welsh. The partnership aims to support the council's Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, which seeks to expand and strengthen Welsh-medium education across the county. Owain Lloyd, director of education, children and family services at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "I very much welcome this strategic partnership with the National Centre for Learning Welsh which will be extremely important over the coming years as the authority moves forward with our aspirations in terms of Welsh education." The centre will offer a range of learning opportunities at different levels, from beginner courses to confidence-building sessions. A dedicated tutor will be based within the council to support staff working with children and young people. Practitioners will also have access to the centre's wider programmes, including in-person classes, online self-study options, and virtual lessons. Support will also be available for parents, carers, and guardians to help them use more Welsh at home through the centre's Welsh at Home scheme. Meinir Ebbsworth, deputy chief executive and strategic director at the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: "The partnership focuses on three core elements, namely the provision at school, how the home can support Welsh language development, as well as other services that support children and young people."
Powys County Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Staff at 'homely' Powys daycare celebrate perfect inspection
A Powys children's day care was labelled 'warm, caring and homely' in a perfect inspection report. Staff at Cylch Meithrin Rhaeadr, a Welsh-medium early-years setting in Rhayader, are 'absolutely delighted' after receiving the highest rating of 'Excellent' across all areas in a recent joint inspection by Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). The day care was praised for its outstanding provision in well-being, learning, care and development, teaching, environment, and leadership. Inspectors were so impressed Cylch Meithrin Rhaeadr has been invited to share its best practices nationally through case studies on its outdoor learning and community partnerships. In their report, CIW Inspectors said: 'Nearly all children feel happy and very safe at the setting and know that every practitioner respects them. 'They have a very strong sense of belonging and a strong voice and feel confident expressing how they wish to use the environment 'Practitioners ensure that children's health and well-being are a priority. They are very conscientious and effective when planning a good variety of activities which have a positive impact on children's development. Inspectors noted that children at the setting were happy, confident, and thriving, with excellent opportunities to explore, play, and learn both indoors and in the setting's exceptional outdoor environment. The report also commended the team's nurturing approach, strong community links, and commitment to promoting Welsh culture and language. Inspectors also praised the work of the leadership at the daycare and said: 'The leader leads the setting very effectively, and child welfare is at the heart of every aspect of work. She has a clear vision for the setting and shares it effectively with practitioners, parents and the community. 'The setting's statement of purpose provides an accurate picture of the service provided. The leader has high expectations for herself, the practitioners and the children, ensuring that everyone is given the necessary support to realise their potential.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Claire Evans, Responsible Individual at Cylch Meithrin Rhaeadr, praised the work of the entire staff. She said: 'We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of the inspection. This report is a testament to the dedication, passion, and teamwork of our staff, the support of our families, and the joy and curiosity of our children. 'We are especially proud that our commitment to Welsh language, community values, and child-led learning has been recognised so strongly. We look forward to continuing to grow and inspire.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Paul Miller survives no-confidence vote over Welsh-medium education comments
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S deputy leader, Cllr Paul Miller, has survived a vote of no-confidence brought over controversial remarks about Welsh-medium education. Survived: Cllr Paul Miller At a special meeting held on Monday (June 2), councillors voted 28 against, 16 in favour, and 11 abstained, rejecting the motion tabled by the council's Independent Political Group. The motion followed comments made by Cllr Miller at a Cabinet meeting in April and again at the Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee in May, where he stated that 'mums he spoke to in Neyland didn't give a toss' whether their children were taught in Welsh or English, suggesting that some parents chose Ysgol Caer Elen for its facilities rather than its language policy. Calls for accountability Introducing the motion, Cllr Huw Murphy said the remarks were 'unacceptable in 2025' and risked undermining equality in the delivery of Welsh-medium education. He criticised Cllr Miller for proposing to gather data from parents on their language choices, despite being told that such a move fell outside the remit of the school admissions code. He added that the Deputy Leader had ignored advice from senior officers, the Welsh Language Commissioner, and even his own party's former First Minister, Mark Drakeford. Cabinet shift and apology In response, Cllr Miller said he was repeating what had been told to him by local parents and insisted he had not intended to offend. He admitted his wording had been clumsy and apologised for any upset caused. The Deputy Leader also pointed to a revised Cabinet decision made at an extraordinary meeting on May 21, which broadened the proposed parental survey to include all schools and all languages, rather than focusing solely on Welsh-medium settings. Cllr Miller maintained that the initial motion had been mischaracterised and accused political opponents of seeking to 'sow division' over a non-issue. Mixed reactions from councillors Council Chair Cllr Delme Harries reminded members that enabling choice in education was a core responsibility and stressed the need for respectful dialogue. He said: 'How we respond to being incorrect is important. The Welsh language is a living language and deserves our respect.' Some councillors, including Conservative Cllr Aled Thomas and Plaid Cymru's Cllr Michael Williams, acknowledged that the comments had been ill-judged but stopped short of supporting a motion of no-confidence. Others, including Cllr Jamie Adams and former Leader Cllr John Davies, said senior councillors must use discretion when amplifying public opinions. Conservative Group Leader Cllr Di Clements said the Cabinet had already changed course and called the motion unnecessary, citing the £2,000 cost of holding the extraordinary meeting. 'That money would be better spent filling the black hole in the local authority's finances,' she said. Public response and political tension The incident has sparked wider debate about the promotion of Welsh-medium education, with strong reactions on both sides. Prominent journalist Hefin Wyn criticised the council's leadership for downplaying the issue and called the remarks an affront to the principle of language equality. His comments are due to be published in full in Friday's edition of The Pembrokeshire Herald. The council's revised position means parents of all school applicants may now be asked why they choose a particular setting. The final shape and cost of this data-gathering exercise have yet to be confirmed.
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Extra support for areas with lots of Welsh speakers
This comes after ministers accepted recommendations from a report by the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities, led by Dr Simon Brooks. The two-year study proposed several measures to protect Welsh as a community language. Welsh Language Secretary Mark Drakeford announced the plans at the Urdd Eisteddfod. The government will provide targeted support to areas with higher concentrations of Welsh speakers, ensure access to Welsh-medium education, and offer more guidance about the language across various policy areas. Recommendations were accepted in several areas, including the economy, housing, community development, and education. The government will work with local authorities and partners to discuss and implement these recommendations. Mr Drakeford said: "Cymraeg belongs to us all, and to every community across Wales. "I am grateful for the commission's hard work on this report, and I hope that by accepting their recommendations, we can strengthen Welsh in all our communities." "We agree in principle that areas of linguistic significance should be designated and will now progress this by working with partners to create tailored policies that respond to the specific needs of Welsh-speaking communities."
