Information on updates to Curriculum for Wales guidance
From April 2026, updates have been made to the designing the 14 to 16 curriculum offer section of the
14-16 Learning guidance as part of the ongoing review of the Curriculum for Wales framework guidance.
The updated guidance:
signposts schools to consider opportunities available through the Seren Academy to support learner reflection, progress and post 16 planning
reflects the availability of VCSEs, the Skills Suite, the Personal Project and Foundation qualifications (alongside GCSEs) from 2027
reflects the revised Made for Wales Science GCSEs, including expectations around breadth of learning, access and the continued availability of separate science GCSEs
clarifies expectations around self-evaluation and improvement, including signposting to the Youth Engagement Progression Framework
confirms new reporting arrangements in relation to the 14 to 16 Learner Entitlement Indicators Framework (LEIF), with further information explaining how the LEIF aligns with wider evaluation and improvement arrangements
These updates aim to support clarity and coherence for schools as they design and evaluate their 14 to 16 curriculum offer.
Search for Curriculum for Wales resources on Hwb
Getting started
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Introduction to Curriculum for Wales guidanceIntroduces the four purposes, what's new, why it's changing and who the curriculum guidance is for
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Summary of legislationExplains the legal status of the curriculum guidance, the proposed legal duties on schools and what these mean in practice
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Designing your curriculumGeneral guidance for designing your curriculum across all areas of learning and experience
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Assessment arrangementsGuidance and information for designing assessment arrangements within a school curriculum
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Continuing the journeyGuidance to support schools with a common set of expectations, priorities and supporting information for curriculum design
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14 to 16 learning guidanceForms part of the Curriculum for Wales Framework statutory guidance
Areas of learning and experience guidance
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Expressive ArtsThe dynamic nature of the expressive arts can engage, motivate and encourage learners to develop their creative, artistic and performance skills to the full.
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Health and Well-being
The Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience (Area) provides a holistic structure for understanding health and well-being. It is concerned with developing the capacity of learners to navigate life's opportunities and challenges.
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Humanities
The Humanities Area of Learning and Experience (Area) seeks to awaken a sense of wonder, fire the imagination and inspire learners to grow in knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
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Languages, Literacy and Communication
The Languages, Literacy and Communication Area of Learning and Experience (Area) addresses fundamental aspects of human communication. It aims to support learning across the whole curriculum and to enable learners to gain knowledge and skills in Welsh, English and international languages as well as in literature.
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Mathematics and Numeracy
The development of mathematics has always gone hand in hand with the development of civilisation itself. A truly international discipline, it surrounds us and underpins so many aspects of our daily lives, such as architecture, art, music, money and engineering. And while it is creative and beautiful, both in its own right and in its applications, it is also essential for progress in other areas of learning and experience.
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Science and Technology
The importance of science and technology in our modern world cannot be overstated. Developments in these areas have always been drivers of change in society, underpinning innovation and impacting on everyone’s lives economically, culturally and environmentally.
More guidance
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LiteracyResources and guidance to support the development of language, literacy and communication skills including support for professional learning and guidance on the technology available
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Routes for learning
Support for practitioners in assessing learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties focusing on learners’ early cognitive development, communication and social interaction skills, and interaction with the environment
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Cross-curricular framework
Literacy and Numeracy Framework; Digital Competence Framework; Routes for learning; Support for the reading and numeracy assessments; Support for children aged 0 to 5 years including materials related to funded non-maintained settings and early childhood play, learning and care
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Reading and numeracy assessments
Guidance on the mandatory reading and numeracy assessments taken online by learners in Years 2 and 9 in maintained schools
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0 to 5 learning guidance
A curriculum for funded non-maintained settings, assessment arrangements for funded non-maintained settings as well as resources and guidance for childcare, play settings and schools on early childhood play, learning and care
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Understanding curriculum in practice: camau i'r dyfodol
Materials to support schools to build a purpose-led, process-orientated curriculum
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