In response to today’s statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, UCAC education union has said that professional learning for the education workforce is critical to the success of the reforms to the curriculum and the Additional Learning Needs system.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, UCAC General Secretary said:

“The scale of change to our education system over the next few years is mind-boggling. To imagine that such change can be achieved without a very substantial investment in professional learning would be foolish in the extreme.

“UCAC is pleased therefore that the Cabinet Secretary has announced specific funding to support the scale of professional learning that that is required, with an emphasis on a range of methods, flexibility and teacher wellbeing.

“We agree with her that the requisite level and quality of professional learning should be secured whilst guarding, on the one hand, against disruption to pupils’ education, and on the other against unreasonable demands on the workforce. Investment is essential in order to find the time and resources necessary for such a large-scale operation.

“We look forward to seeing the detail of the proposals in relation to the various options and models available, and hope that this will indeed lead to the long-term ‘wholesale reform of how teachers learn’ that the Cabinet Secretary – and the profession – wishes to see.”