61.Section 14(1) requires a school’s governing body to prepare a plan in relation to the Welsh language (“Welsh language education delivery plan”), and section 14(1)(a) to (i) details what must be included in such a plan. The purpose is to require schools to plan for the provision of Welsh language education, both in the short term and in the future, and to follow the direction set by the Welsh Ministers and the relevant local authority (see Part 4).
62.Section 14(5) exempts community special schools from the requirements of this section (but see section 20 for the requirement for them to have a community special school Welsh language education plan).
63.In accordance with section 14(1)(a) to (c), a delivery plan must identify a language category for a school, identify the school’s current Welsh language education provision (i.e. the amount), and explain how the governing body will ensure that the school provides at least the minimum amount of Welsh language education in accordance with the requirements of its language category.
64.In accordance with section 14(1)(d) a delivery plan must set out how the governing body will promote late immersion education for pupils in accordance with section 23(3).
65.In addition to what must be stated in accordance with section 14(1)(c) (providing at least the minimum amount of Welsh language education in accordance with the language category), in line with section 14(1)(e), a delivery plan must set out the governing body’s proposals for the exact amount of Welsh language education the school intends to provide during the period of the plan, and how it will maintain that sum, and increase it when reasonably practicable.
66.Section 14(1)(f) requires the delivery plan to set out information regarding the school’s provision of Welsh language nursery education for pupils under compulsory school age (if such provision is offered), and the governing body’s proposals for maintaining that amount of Welsh language nursery education, and increasing the amount where this is reasonably practicable.
67.Section 14(1)(g) requires a governing body to also note in its Welsh language education delivery plan its proposals on how to promote a Welsh language ethos and culture within the school and promote the use of the Welsh language. This could, for example, include organising activities beyond school sessions that foster a sense of pride and ownership of the Welsh language amongst pupils and the school community. It also includes proposals on how to facilitate continuous improvement in the school’s Welsh language education that would lead to progress along the common reference levels.
68.Section 14(1)(h) requires a Welsh language education delivery plan to specify proposals, if the school is a “Primarily Welsh language”" or “Dual Language” category school, in terms of how it will assist parents who are not confident Welsh speakers to support their children’s learning and support their children’s contribution to the school’s Welsh language ethos and culture.
69.If a school’s governing body intends to increase the amount of Welsh language education provided for the purpose of changing category, the delivery plan must, in accordance with section 14(1)(i), set out the steps the school will take to achieve this. See also section 17 for specific requirements about amending a school’s Welsh language education delivery plan for the purpose of changing its language category.
70.Under section 30 (Part 4) a local authority must prepare a local Welsh in education strategic plan. Section 14(2) requires a school’s governing body to have regard to its local authority’s local Welsh in education strategic plan when preparing a delivery plan. It also details the persons that a school’s governing body must consult when preparing a plan. This is to ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute to decisions made about the Welsh language education provided by a school and, in particular, for the local authority to provide its views on the suitability of the delivery plan to meet the provisions of the local Welsh in education strategic plan (Part 4). The local authority must consider the plan when deciding whether to approve it under section 15, and the consultation is an early opportunity to provide views on the suitability of a school’s delivery plan.
71.Section 14(3) states that delivery plans have effect for a period of three school years. The Welsh Ministers will state, by regulations, with which school year the period of the first delivery plan starts. The period of subsequent delivery plans will begin immediately after the previous delivery plan came to an end.
72.Section 14(4) gives the Welsh Ministers power to make regulations for the purpose of changing the length of time for which delivery plans have effect, and to make specific provision in relation to the form and content of a delivery plan.
Commentary on Sections Welsh language education delivery plans Section 14 - School Welsh language education delivery plans