Responding to the Welsh Government’s announcement today that “a further £72 million will go to support learners” as part of the since the Covid-19 pandemic, NAHT Cymru Director Laura Doel said: “While we welcome the money, it must be used to support high quality teaching and learning, and a long-term evidence-based strategy of wellbeing and education recovery for pupils.

“The concept of ‘catch-up’ is a quick-fix gimmick, and the Welsh Government must listen to the education profession when it comes to assessing the needs of learners and the need to fully fund a recovery and allow schools the time to assess the impact of the pandemic on learners.”

“It’s critical that the money goes directly to schools – not consortia – and local leaders and their teams need the flexibility to use it to support wellbeing where that is the greatest priority for a school, as well around raising standards.

“Investment in high quality teaching through professional development and retaining good teachers underpins this long-term recovery.

“While we await to find out the details around this announcement, it would be useful for school leaders to know that a full academic year is being funded in terms of planning staffing and activity as they move forward on the long road to recovery”.

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk