National Network for Curriculum Implementation
The National Network brings together teaching professionals, experts, stakeholders, policy makers and enabling partners, including regional consortia and Estyn to identify and address the barriers to, and opportunities for, the implementation of Curriculum for Wales.
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3. Past conversations and analysis
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Analysis of conversations: learning in the next phase (beyond COVID-19)
This report provides a summary of the key themes that were raised within and across the Beyond COVID: learning in the next phase conversations.
- Case study
Past National Network Conversations include:
- Progression
- Curriculum and assessment design
- Preparation for roll out, are we on the right track?
- Resources and supporting materials
- Qualifications reform
- Welsh and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories
- Oracy and reading
- Expressive Arts
- Assessment arrangements for funded non-maintained nursery settings
Under each heading below you will find a facilitator’s pack and video resources which can be used to hold a conversation within your own school or setting.
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Developing progression and supporting curriculum planning and design: May 2023
The conversation focused on:
- how schools may use progression steps to develop ideas of learner progression
- what schools and organisations can do to provide reassurance to parents, and wider stakeholders, that learners are progressing
This was done through:
- examining current experience and practice in schools and organisations
- collaboratively developing possible ways forward
- practically considering how these could be made part of practice
Conversation resources
To access a recording of the conversation and the resources please register (eventbocs.wales).
Developing progression and supporting curriculum planning and design: January 2023
The conversation focused on:
- how schools may use progression steps to develop ideas of learner progression
- what schools and organisations can do to provide reassurance to parents, and wider stakeholders, that learners are progressing
This was done through:
- examining current experience and practice in schools and organisations
- collaboratively developing possible ways forward
- practically considering how these could be made part of practice
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Resource: curriculum and assessment design 2023
This playlist reflects the curriculum and assessment design National Network conversation in spring 2023.
Conversation resources
To access a recording of the conversation and the resources please register (eventbocs.wales).
Turning thinking into practice, curriculum planning for progression: October 2022
The conversation was held to support practitioners to:
- critically appraise their current approaches to progression
- prompt new ways of thinking
- explore how thinking and using evidence can support your practice
This conversation introduced themes, ideas, and approaches to progression.
This session focused on:
- developing understanding of progression within the Curriculum for Wales
- building practitioners’ confidence in using the principles of progression, statements of what matters, progressions steps, and the purposes of assessment together in their curriculum planning and classroom practice
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
Progression and assessment: May 2022
In this conversation, participants from across Wales shared their understanding of progression and how this can be effectively assessed.
The participants:
- shared understanding of where colleagues in all contexts are in their thinking and development work related to progression and assessment
- considered how the principles of progression can be used to support curriculum planning
- considered how learner progression along the curriculum continuum can be planned
- shared information on how assessment practice is being developed to support learner progression across the curriculum
- consider contextual factors which may impact on understanding and planning progression
- develop understanding of effective approaches to co-construction within and across schools or settings
- Facilitators' slide pack: progression and assessment (summer 2022) pptx 1.08 Mb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
October 2021
In this conversation, practitioners can discuss the challenges, and opportunities, in designing a curriculum with learning progression at the heart. Supported by expert input and other materials, practitioners can tackle key questions including:
- What is your understanding of progression in Curriculum for Wales?
- What’s different to how we have previously approached this?
- Where are you now in terms of developing progression in the new curriculum?
- What’s helpful in thinking about this, and what is not?
- Moving forward: what support might you need to increase your understanding and application of progression in the new curriculum?
- Facilitators' briefing pack: progression (autumn 2021) docx 396 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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In person National Network conversation: spring 2024
These in person national conversations on the Curriculum for Wales were held in:
- South Wales on the 31 January 2024 at the Cardiff City Stadium
- North Wales on 6 February 2024 at Venue Cymru
The conversations focused on:
- Practitioners receiving the latest update on the 'Curriculum for Wales: continuing the journey' guidance and see what this means for their school or setting.
- They had the opportunity to contribute to the national conversation about 'Curriculum Design and Progression'.
- Share their thoughts on opportunities and challenges in the six areas of learning and experience, to help shape policy and practice to benefit all learners in Wales.
- Network with fellow practitioners from across Wales, and get their voices heard.
Conversation resources
To access a recording of the conversation and the resources please register here.
Curriculum and progression: November 2023
Continuing our journey of co construction, this National Conversation on Curriculum and Progression focused on supporting you as practitioners to reflect on your progress in creating a shared understanding of progression across the 3 to 16 continuum.
This National Conversation provided you with the opportunity to:
- learn how other practitioners are using recently published materials and resources including 'understanding curriculum in practice: Camau i’r Dyfodol' and 'Curriculum Design Pilot 2023' to generate meaningful conversations with colleagues
- evaluate how your schools and settings are developing the culture and environment that enables all learners to make progress
- chat with other practitioners from across Wales about the type of curriculum conversations that are supporting effective curriculum design and learner progress
- Report on the conversation: curriculum and progression pdf 343 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access a recording of the conversation and the resources please register here.
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register onto the platform.
Curriculum and assessment design: June 2023
This National Conversation provided an opportunity to:
- share ideas on the type of curriculum conversations that are supporting effective curriculum and assessment design
- evaluate how schools and settings are developing the culture and environment conducive to effective curriculum and assessment design
- signpost to resources that can support leading curriculum conversations in your schools and settings that enable learner progression
Reflection on the curriculum and assessment design National Network conversation in spring 2023 is available:
- National Network Conversation: curriculum and assessment design summer 2023 pdf 285 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
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Resource: curriculum and assessment design 2023
This playlist reflects the curriculum and assessment design National Network conversation in spring 2023.
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
Curriculum and assessment design: March 2023
This National Conversation in Spring 2023 focused on supporting practitioners and school/setting leaders to reflect on their curriculum and assessment design processes.
This conversation provided an opportunity to:
- chat with other practitioners from across Wales about their experiences of curriculum and assessment design
- consider what the principles of assessment within Curriculum for Wales mean for your learners
- evaluate how your schools and settings are developing curriculum and assessment design processes along the 3 to 16 continuum
- identifying what is working well and support needed to overcome any challenges
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
Curriculum and assessment design: November 2022
Building on the 2021 to 2022 Curriculum Design Conversations, this National Conversation provided practitioners and leaders in schools and settings with the opportunity to:
- assess the impact of the mandatory elements of the Curriculum for Wales
The Autumn convesation provided practitioners and leaders the opportunity to:
- assess the impact of the mandatory elements of the Curriculum for Wales so far
- evaluate what is working well in schools and settings and identifying any challenges
- evaluate how schools and settings are developing the conceptual understanding within the Statements of What Matters and how this is being developed along the 3 to 16 continuum in curriculum design
- identify what is working well and identifying support for the system to overcome any challenges
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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Preparing for roll out: September 2021
In this conversation, practitioners worked together to discuss different approaches to the design and development of Curriculum for Wales.
So far they discussed how:
- to bring together what works
- to better understand the principles of good curriculum development
- to discuss what further support would be most useful to them in preparation for rollout
- Facilitators’ briefing pack: preparing for roll out (autumn 2021) docx 398 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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November 2021
This conversation focused on what resources and materials to support curriculum design, learning and teaching should look like in the new context of the Curriculum for Wales.
The conversation tackled questions such as:
- how do you think your needs for resources and supporting materials will change as a result of Curriculum for Wales?
- what resources have you used that have been helpful? Why?
- looking forward, how could resources support you to design your own curriculum?
- Facilitators' briefing pack: resources and supporting materials (autumn 2021) docx 394 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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March 2022
Conversation purpose
- Bring practitioners together to share their views on how qualifications for learners aged 14 to 16 can be re-imagined to support the new Curriculum for Wales.
- Develop and progress the conversation around how qualifications can align to the Curriculum for Wales framework and support school curricula.
- Identify opportunities to more effectively consider learner wellbeing and better recognise learner experiences within qualifications.
- Identify opportunities for innovation and change within future qualifications in terms of content, assessment and reporting of outcomes, including more effective use of digital technology.
- Identify further work or research that should be undertaken to inform the design, delivery and assessment of future qualifications.
- To input into the process of co-construction of GCSEs and other made-for-Wales qualifications and findings will be relayed to the groups tasked with developing proposals at a subject level for their consideration.
- Facilitators' briefing pack: qualifications reform (spring 2022) docx 390 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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April 2022
Conversation purpose
- Highlight existing good practice for the teaching of Welsh and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories.
- Consider the challenges and importance of embedding Welsh, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic experiences and contributions in history and across the curriculum.
- Examine why belonging and identity is pivotal to learners to understand how they have contributed to Wales’ rich history; and by making connections between local, national and international histories and communities.
- Facilitators' briefing pack: Welsh and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories (spring 2022) docx 415 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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February 2023
A National Network Conversation dedicated to leaders of FNMN settings was held on 2 February 2023.
This conversation concentrated on:
- hearing from other FNMN leaders about what is working well across Wales following curriculum roll-out in September 2022
- discussing some of the key challenges, sharing possible solutions, and to help inform future support
- identified and discussed the practices and resources practitioners are finding helpful with delivering the curriculum
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
Report on the conversation
- National Network Conversation: delivering a curriculum for funded non-maintained nursery settings: practice and provision pdf 264 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
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June 2022
Oracy and reading skills help learners make sense of the world around them. With this in mind, the conversation gave the practitioners the opportunity to:
- showcase how schools and settings are positively impacting standards in oracy and reading
- share practical tools which can help raise standards and discuss any barriers to support raising of standards
- Facilitators' slide pack: oracy and reading (summer 2022) pptx 271 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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Autumn 2022
The conversation on Expressive Arts identified:
- The views of practitioners on what worked and what proved difficult in its 3 statements of what matters in the curriculum, and in planning through cluster engagement.
- How we further support schools and settings to ensure that their learners make progress?
- What should be explored further to support schools to address issues in design and help their learners to explore and develop their skills?
Conversation resources
To access the resources for this National Conversation please register (eventbocs.wales).
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December 2023
This conversation was aimed at supporting practitioners in funded non maintained nursery settings with the assessment arrangements.
This National Conversation provided you with the opportunity to focus on identifying any challenges, strengths, and areas where additional support is needed whilst highlighting ‘next steps’ to facilitate curriculum and assessment realisation.
Conversation resources
To access a recording of the conversation and the resources please register here.
To access the resources for this National Conversation, please register onto the platform.
- Assessment arrangements for funded non-maintained nursery settings: report on the conversation pdf 275 Kb This file may not be accessible. If you need a more accessible version of this document please email digital@gov.wales. Please tell us the format you need. If you use assistive technology please tell us what this is
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