Programme for Welsh-medium primary teachers who want to teach secondary

The Welsh Government has launched a new programme to provide opportunities for Welsh-medium primary teachers with a desire to teach at secondary school.

The pilot programme aims to increase the number of teachers who can teach in Welsh at secondary level, without reducing teaching capacity in primary schools.

There has been an increase in demand for Welsh-medium secondary school teachers in recent years, while data shows there is currently a small surplus of Welsh-medium primary teachers.

Evidence suggests that many newly qualified Welsh-medium primary teachers are seeking permanent teaching positions, but face barriers to securing a permanent post. Data also indicates that a significant number of trainee primary teachers hold other degrees suitable for secondary teaching. The programme will provide professional development and additional career options for those teachers.

The programme will be open to all Welsh-speaking primary teachers with Qualified Teacher Status who would consider teaching through the medium of Welsh at secondary school.

The programme will offer participants a salaried teaching placement to train at a secondary school, receiving additional training at secondary level in topics such as classroom management, lesson planning and specialist subject support.

Welsh-medium secondary and bilingual schools will be invited to participate in the programme as host schools.