Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025

Prospective

PART 3 E+W WELSH LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Introduction E+W

8 Overview and interpretation E+W

(1) This Part—

(a) makes provision about designating a language category to each school (see sections 9 to 13), and, accordingly, about—

(i) the amount of Welsh language education to be provided in the school, and

(ii) the school’s Welsh language learning goal;

(b) requires each school to have a Welsh language education delivery plan (see sections 14 to 19) that sets out (among other things) how the school intends to meet its Welsh language learning goal;

(c) requires each local authority to maintain and publish a register of the language category of each school in its area (see section 22);

(d) requires each local authority to promote late immersion education in Welsh (see section 23).

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) “Welsh language education” means—

(i) teaching Welsh, and

(ii) education and training through the medium of Welsh,

in a school, during school sessions, to pupils of compulsory school age;

(b) “Welsh language nursery education” means—

(i) teaching Welsh, and

(ii) education through the medium of Welsh

in a school or maintained nursery school, during school sessions, to pupils under compulsory school age;

(c) references to a “school” mean a maintained school that has pupils of compulsory school age.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Language categories of schools E+W

9 School language categories E+W

(1) Each school is designated a language category, in accordance with this Part, that determines—

(a) in accordance with section 10, the minimum amount of Welsh language education provided in the school, and

(b) the school’s Welsh language learning goal (see section 11).

(2) The language categories are—

(a) the “Primarily Welsh Language” category;

(b) the “Dual Language” category;

(c) the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category.

(3) A school may be designated more than one language category, and the Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make provision in relation to such a school, including provision that applies this Part with modifications.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a community special school (but see section 20).

Commencement Information

I2 S. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

10 Minimum amount of provision of Welsh language education for each language category‍ E+W

(1) Subsection (2) specifies the minimum amount of Welsh language education for each language category, as a percentage of the education and training provided over a school year during school sessions for pupils of compulsory school age.

(2) The minimum amount is—

(a) 80% for the “Primarily Welsh Language” category;

(b) 50% for the “Dual Language” category;

(c) 10% for the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, amend subsection (2) to change the minimum amount for any language category, but the minimum amount must not be less than 80% for the “Primarily Welsh Language” category, 50% for the “Dual Language” category, and 10% for the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category.

(4) The Welsh Ministers must decide whether to exercise the power to make regulations under subsection (3) in relation to the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category within the period of 5 years beginning with the day after the day on which this section comes into force, and after that, within each period of 5 years following their most recent decision.

(5) In deciding whether to exercise the power to make regulations under subsection (3), the Welsh Ministers must consider the likely effect of the minimum amounts on achieving the targets set by the Welsh language strategy in accordance with section 1.

(6) The governing body of a school must ensure that the school provides at least the minimum amount of Welsh language education for the language category designated for the school in each of the school years for which a Welsh language education delivery plan is to have effect (see sections 14(3) and 15(5)).‍

Commencement Information

I3 S. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

11 Welsh language learning goals for each language category E+W

(1) The Welsh language learning goal for “Primarily Welsh Language‍” category schools is that pupils, by the time they cease to be of compulsory school age, are proficient Welsh language users (that is, they reach the C1 or C2 common reference level), at least.

(2) The Welsh language learning goal for “Dual Language” category schools is that pupils, by the time they cease to be of compulsory school age—

(a) are independent Welsh language users (that is, they reach the B1 or B2 common reference level) at least, as an initial goal;

(b) after that, in relation to a year group in a school year specified by the Welsh Ministers in regulations, and subsequent year groups—

(i) are independent Welsh language users (that is, they reach the B1 or B2 common reference level) at least, and

(ii) reach at least the B2 common reference level for oral interaction.

(3) The Welsh language learning goal for “Primarily English language, partly Welsh” category schools is that pupils, by the time they cease to be of compulsory school age—

(a) are basic Welsh language users (that is, they reach the A1 or A2 common reference level) at least, as an initial goal;

(b) after that, in relation to a year group in a school year specified by the Welsh Ministers in regulations, and subsequent year groups until the goal in paragraph (c) applies, are independent Welsh language users (that is, they reach the B1 or B2 common reference level) at least;

(c) after that, in relation to a year group in a school year specified by the Welsh Ministers in regulations, and subsequent year groups—

(i) are independent Welsh language users (that is, they reach the B1 or B2 common reference level) at least, and

(ii) reach at least the B2 common reference level for oral interaction.

(4) In relation to the Welsh language goals for a primary school, it is assumed that the pupils of the school continue with education in schools of the same language category until they cease to be of compulsory school age.

(5) When considering the school years and the year groups to be specified in regulations under this section, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the likely effect of the learning goals on achieving the targets set by the Welsh language strategy in accordance with section 1.

(6) In this section—

• “B2 common reference level for oral interaction” (“lefel cyfeirio gyffredin B2 o ran rhyngweithio llafar”)” has the meaning given—

  (i)

  in the Table in Schedule 1, by the second sentence in the “General characteristics” column for the B2 common reference level, to the extent that this applies to oral interaction, and

  (ii)

  by any further provision about that common reference level, and oral interaction, in the Code prepared under section 6;

• “year group”(“grŵp blwyddyn”) means a group of pupils at a school the majority of whom will, in a particular school year, attain the same age.

Commencement Information

I4 S. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

12 Assessing progress towards meeting Welsh language learning goals E+W

(1) Assessment arrangements made by the Welsh Ministers by regulations under section 56 of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 4) may make provision for the purpose of ensuring progress of pupils towards achieving a school’s Welsh language learning goal.

(2) For this purpose, the assessment arrangements may (among other matters)—

(a) refer to a type of Welsh language user or a common reference level set out in the Table in Schedule 1;

(b) refer to the Code prepared under section 6;

(c) make different provision in relation to pupils attending a “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category school that has a temporary exemption from the requirement to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education under section 18 or 19.

(3) In section 7 (progression code) of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 4), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In preparing the Progression Code under subsection (1), and keeping it under review under subsection (4), the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the Welsh language learning goals set by section 11 of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 (asc [ ]).”

Commencement Information

I5 S. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

13 Regulations on school language categories E+W

The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make further provision about the school language categories.‍

Commencement Information

I6 S. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Welsh language education delivery plans E+W

14 School Welsh language education delivery plans E+W

(1) A school’s governing body must prepare a delivery plan in relation to the Welsh language (a “Welsh language education delivery plan”) that—

(a) sets out a language category for the school (taking into account the amount of Welsh language education provided by the school at the time);

(b) sets out the amount of Welsh language education provided by the school at the time the delivery plan is being prepared;

(c) explains how the governing body will ensure that the school fulfils the duty under section 10(6) (providing the amount of Welsh language education specified for the school’s language category);

(d) sets out the steps the governing body will take to promote late immersion education in accordance with section 23(3);

(e) sets out the governing body’s proposals—

(i) on the amount of Welsh language education it intends to provide in the school during the period for which the delivery plan has effect, and

(ii) for maintaining that amount of Welsh language education, and increasing the amount where this is reasonably practicable;

(f) sets out, if the school provides education to pupils under compulsory school age—

(i) the amount of Welsh language nursery education provided at the time the delivery plan is being prepared;

(ii) the governing body’s proposals on the amount of Welsh language nursery education it intends to provide during the period for which the delivery plan has effect;

(iii) the governing body’s proposals for maintaining that amount of Welsh language nursery education, and increasing the amount where this is reasonably practicable;

(g) sets out the governing body’s proposals, for the purpose of meeting the school’s Welsh language learning goal, on how it will—

(i) promote a Welsh language ethos and culture within the school;

(ii) promote use of the Welsh language within the school;

(iii) facilitate continuous improvement in the school’s Welsh language education;

(h) sets out, if the school is a “Primarily Welsh Language” or “Dual Language” category school, the governing body’s proposals on how it will assist parents who are not confident Welsh speakers—

(i) to support their children’s learning;

(ii) to support their children’s contribution to the school’s Welsh language ethos and culture;

(i) if it intends to increase the amount of Welsh language education provided with a view to changing the school’s language category (see section 17), sets out the governing body’s proposals on how it will prepare for the change.

(2) In preparing the Welsh language education delivery plan, the school’s governing body must—

(a) have regard to the local Welsh in education strategic plan of the local authority that maintains the school (see section 30);

(b) consult the following—

(i) the head teacher of the school (if that person is not a member of the governing body);

(ii) registered pupils of the school;

(iii) parents of registered pupils;

(iv) the staff of the school;

(v) the local authority that maintains the school;

(vi) any other persons specified by the Welsh Ministers in regulations.

(3) Each Welsh language education delivery plan has effect for a period of three school years, and—

(a) the period of the first delivery plan starts with the school year specified by the Welsh Ministers by regulations, and

(b) the period of each subsequent delivery plan starts with the school year that starts immediately after the previous delivery plan came to an end.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations—

(a) amend the duration of the period for which a Welsh language education delivery plan has effect;

(b) make provision about the form and content of a delivery plan.

(5) This section does not apply to a community special school (but see section 20).

Commencement Information

I7 S. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

15 Approval of Welsh language education delivery plans E+W

(1) A school’s governing body must submit a draft of the Welsh language education delivery plan prepared under section 14 to the local authority that maintains the school.

(2) The draft must be submitted at least 9 months before the start of the period in which the Welsh language education delivery plan is to have effect.

(3) When submitting the draft, the governing body must provide a summary of the responses to the consultation conducted in accordance with section 14(2)(b).

(4) The local authority may—

(a) approve the Welsh language education delivery plan as it was submitted (including the language category specified within it),

(b) approve the delivery plan with modifications agreed with the governing body of the school, or

(c) reject the delivery plan and give a direction to the governing body to reconsider the delivery plan.

(5) Approval of a school’s Welsh language education delivery plan under subsection (4)(a) or (b) has the effect of designating, as the school’s language category, the language category set out in the delivery plan.

(6) If a local authority rejects a draft Welsh language education delivery plan, the direction given under subsection (4)(c) must—

(a) give reasons for the decision;

(b) specify by when the governing body must submit a further draft of the delivery plan to the local authority.

(7) Subsections (4) to (6) apply to a draft Welsh language education delivery plan submitted by a school’s governing body in response to a direction under subsection (4)(c) as they apply to a draft submitted under subsection (1).

(8) A school’s governing body must publish the approved Welsh language education delivery plan.

(9) A school’s governing body must take all reasonable steps to implement the proposals set out by virtue of section 14(1)(e),‍ (f), (g), (h) and (i) in the approved Welsh language education delivery plan.

Commencement Information

I8 S. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

16 Review and amendment of Welsh language education delivery plan E+W

(1) A school’s governing body must review its Welsh language education delivery plan at least once before the end of the period for which it has effect.

(2) A school’s governing body may amend a Welsh language education delivery plan in accordance with this section (but see section 17 for further provision if the governing body intends to change the school’s language category).

(3) In reviewing or amending the Welsh language education delivery plan, the school’s governing body must have regard to the local Welsh in education strategic plan of the local authority that maintains the school (see section 30).

(4) A school’s governing body must submit a draft of the school’s amended Welsh language education delivery plan to the local authority that maintains the school.

(5) When submitting the draft, the school’s governing body must provide a summary of the amendments proposed and the reasons for them.

(6) The local authority may—

(a) approve the amended Welsh language education delivery plan as submitted,

(b) approve the amended delivery plan with modifications agreed with the governing body, or

(c) reject the amended delivery plan and give a direction to the governing body to reconsider.

(7) If a local authority rejects an amended Welsh language education delivery plan, the direction given under subsection (6)(c)—

(a) must give reasons for the decision;

(b) must specify by when the school’s governing body must—

(i) submit a further draft of the delivery plan to the local authority, or

(ii) notify the local authority that it no longer proposes to amend its delivery plan;

(c) may require the school’s governing body to consult the persons listed in section 14(2)(b), if such a consultation has not taken place.

(8) Subsections (5) to (7) apply to an amended Welsh language education delivery plan submitted in response to a direction under subsection (6)(c) in the same way as they apply to an amended delivery plan submitted under subsection (4).

(9) A school’s governing body must—

(a) publish the approved Welsh language education delivery plan, as amended;

(b) take all reasonable steps to implement the proposals set out by virtue of section 14(1)(e),‍ (f), (g), (h) and (i) in the approved Welsh language education delivery plan, as amended.

Commencement Information

I9 S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

17 Amending Welsh language education delivery plan to change school language category E+W

(1) This section applies where a school’s governing body proposes an amendment to the school’s Welsh language education delivery plan for the purpose of changing the school’s language category.

(2) A school’s language category may not be changed—

(a) from a “Dual Language” category to a “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” language category;

(b) from a “Primarily Welsh Language” category to a “Dual Language” category or a “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” language category.

(3) The school’s governing body must consult the persons listed in section 14(2)(b) before submitting an amended delivery plan in draft to the local authority under section 16(4).

Commencement Information

I10 S. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

18 Minimum amount of Welsh language education: temporary exemption E+W

(1) This section applies where a school’s governing body—

(a) is preparing or amending the school’s first Welsh language education delivery plan, and

(b) considers that it is not reasonably practicable for the school to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education required for a “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” language category school (see section 10(2)(c)).

(2) The school’s draft Welsh language education delivery plan submitted to the local authority under section 15(1) or 16(4) must set out—

(a) the reasons why, in the opinion of the school’s governing body, it is not reasonably practicable for the school to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education;

(b) the governing body’s proposals for ensuring that the school can provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education (at least);

(c) a date by which the proposals referred to in paragraph (b) will be implemented, such a date being no later than the end of the three-year period for which the draft delivery plan has effect;

(d) information about the support the governing body considers is necessary to enable the school to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education.

(3) If the local authority (in accordance with section 15 or 16) approves a Welsh language education delivery plan for a school that sets out the matters referred to in subsection (2)—

(a) the school’s governing body is exempt from the requirement to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education until the end of the three-year period for which the first delivery plan has effec‍t;

(b) the school’s language category is deemed to be designated as the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category for that period;

(c) the school’s governing body must take all reasonable steps to implement the proposals set out in the delivery plan in accordance with subsection (2)(b) by the date set out in accordance with subsection (2)(c).

Commencement Information

I11 S. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

19 Minimum amount of Welsh language education: further exemption E+W

(1) This section applies where a governing body of a school that is exempted in accordance with section 18(3)(a)—

(a) is preparing the school’s second Welsh language education delivery plan, and

(b) remains of the view that it is not reasonably practicable for the school to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education required for a “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category school.

(2) The second Welsh language education delivery plan submitted to the local authority under section 15(1) must set out—

(a) why the proposals referred to in section 18(2)(b) were not implemented, or why those proposals did not succeed;

(b) why, in the opinion of the governing body, providing the minimum amount of Welsh language education is still not reasonably practicable for the school;

(c) the governing body’s further proposals for ensuring that the school can provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education (at least);

(d) the date by which the proposals referred to in paragraph (c) will be implemented, such a date being no later than the end of the three-year period for which the draft delivery plan has effect;

(e) information about the support that the governing body considers necessary for the school to be able to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education.

(3) If the local authority (in accordance with section 15) approves a Welsh language education delivery plan for a school that sets out the matters referred to in subsection (2)—

(a) the school’s governing body is exempt from the requirement to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education until the date set out in the delivery plan in accordance with subsection (2)(d);

(b) the school’s language category is deemed to be designated as the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category until the date set out in the delivery plan in accordance with subsection (2)(d);

(c) the school’s governing body must take all reasonable steps to implement the proposals set out in the delivery plan in accordance with subsection (2)(c), by the date set out in accordance with subsection (2)(d);

(d) the local authority must provide the following to the Welsh Ministers—

(i) the reasons why the school’s delivery plan was approved;

(ii) information about any support offered to the school’s governing body.

Commencement Information

I12 S. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Special schools E+W

20 Community special schools: plans and language category designation E+W

(1) A community special school’s governing body must prepare a plan in relation to the Welsh language (“a community special school Welsh language education delivery plan”) that sets out—

(a) the amount of Welsh language education provided by the school;

(b) if the school provides education to pupils under compulsory school age, the amount of Welsh language nursery education provided;

(c) the governing body’s proposals on how it will—

(i) promote a Welsh language ethos and culture within the school;

(ii) promote use of the Welsh language within the school;

(d) if the school provides an amount of Welsh language education or Welsh language nursery education that corresponds with the amount of Welsh language education provided in a “Primarily Welsh Language” or “Dual Language” category school, the governing body’s proposals on how it will assist parents who are not confident Welsh speakers—

(i) to support their children’s learning;

(ii) to support their children’s contribution to the school’s Welsh language ethos and culture.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make further provision about community special school Welsh language education delivery plans, including provision about—

(a) the duration and timing of a plan;

(b) consulting on a plan;

(c) approving a plan;

(d) reviewing and amending a plan.

(3) A community special school is not designated a language category in accordance with this Part, unless the governing body of the school wishes to have a language category designated (“a voluntary designation”).

(4) The Welsh Ministers must, by regulations, make provision in relation to a voluntary designation, including provision that applies this Part with modifications.

Commencement Information

I13 S. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Maintained nursery schools E+W

21 Welsh language nursery education delivery plans E+W

(1) A maintained nursery school’s governing body must prepare a plan in relation to the Welsh language (“a Welsh language nursery education delivery plan”) that sets out—

(a) the amount of Welsh language nursery education provided by the nursery school;

(b) the governing body’s proposals on—

(i) the amount of Welsh language nursery education it intends to provide during the period for which the Welsh language nursery education delivery plan has effect, and

(ii) maintaining that amount of Welsh language nursery education, and increasing the amount where this is reasonably practicable;

(c) the governing body’s proposals on how it will—

(i) promote a Welsh language ethos and culture within the nursery school;

(ii) promote use of the Welsh language within the nursery school;

(d) if the nursery school provides an amount of Welsh language nursery education that corresponds with the amount of Welsh language education provided in a “Primarily Welsh Language” or “Dual Language” category school, the governing body’s proposals on how it will assist parents who are not confident Welsh speakers—

(i) to support their children’s learning;

(ii) to support their children’s contribution to the nursery school’s Welsh language ethos and culture.

(2) In preparing the Welsh language nursery education delivery plan, the governing body must have regard to the local Welsh in education strategic plan of the local authority that maintains the nursery school (see section 30).

(3) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make further provision about Welsh language nursery education plans, including provision about—

(a) duration and timing of a plan;

(b) consulting on a plan;

(c) approving a plan;

(d) reviewing and amending a plan.

Commencement Information

I14 S. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Register E+W

22 Register of school language categories E+W

(1) A local authority must maintain and publish a register that includes the following matters—

(a) the language category of each school maintained by the authority, as set out in the school’s Welsh language education delivery plan approved under section 15 or 16;

(b) a record of each school maintained by the authority that is temporarily exempt, under section 18 or 19, from the requirement to provide the minimum amount of Welsh language education, and the date that the exemption comes to an end;

(c) the proposed language category of schools in its area for which proposals have been made under section 41 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1) (proposals to establish mainstream schools);

(d) the proposed language category of proposed schools that are not included in the register under paragraph (c), but are of a description set out in regulations made under subsection (3).

(2) In the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 1), in section 41, after subsection (2) insert—

“(3) See section 22(1) of the Welsh Language and Education Act (Wales) 2025 (asc[ ]) for provision about a register of the proposed language category of schools for which proposals have been made under this section.”

(3) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make further provision about a register maintained under subsection (1) in respect of—

(a) the matters to be included in the register;

(b) the form of the register;

(c) how and when the register is to be published.

Commencement Information

I15 S. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)

Late immersion education E+W

23 Late immersion education in Welsh E+W

(1) In this section, “late immersion education” means intensive education in Welsh—

(a) for children of compulsory school age who are at least 7 years of age who attend, or want to attend, a “Primarily Welsh Language” category school or a “Dual Language” category school, and

(b) that immerses children in Welsh to enable them to fully benefit from education in a “Primarily Welsh Language” category school or a “Dual Language” category school.

(2) Each local authority must—

(a) encourage an increase in demand in its area for late immersion education, and increased participation in it;

(b) make arrangements to provide information and advice to the following persons about the availability of late immersion education in its area—

(i) children of compulsory school age in its area,

(ii) parents of children in its area,

(iii) children looked after by the local authority but that live outside its area,

(iv) governing bodies of schools maintained by the authority, and

(v) any other persons it considers appropriate;

(c) take all reasonable steps to provide late immersion education that meets the demand for it in its area.

(3) Where a school’s governing body has received information (by virtue of subsection (2)(b)(iv)) about the availability of late immersion education in the area of the local authority in which the school is located, it must take all reasonable steps to ensure that pupils of the school and their parents are aware of—

(a) the availability of the education, and

(b) how that education can be accessed.

(4) See also section 14(1)(d) in respect of making provision about late immersion education in schools’ Welsh language education delivery plans.

Commencement Information

I16 S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 56(4)(5)