Ceredigion Council Schools' Welsh Language Policy
Ceredigion County Council will comply with all the requirements of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 as the provisions of that Act come into force, as well as any subordinate legislation subject to it.
Ceredigion County Council is committed to supporting the Welsh Government's vision and ambition of seeing one million people able to enjoy speaking and using the Welsh language by 2050 in line with their 'Cymraeg 2050: Welsh Language Strategy' Strategy.
'Curriculum for Wales - Curriculum for Life' emphasises the fact that the Welsh language remains compulsory until the age of 16.
The four purposes of the Curriculum state:
"The four purposes should be the starting point and aspiration for schools’ curriculum design. Ultimately, the aim of a school’s curriculum is to support its learners to become:
Ambitious, capable learners who:
- can communicate effectively in different forms and settings, using both Welsh and English”
For schools in Ceredigion, the teaching of Welsh and English, either as a first language or as a second language, is one of the essential requirements and reflects Curriculum for Wales.
The aim of the Local Authority is to teach pupils to be fully bilingual by the time they reach the end of primary age and to develop that ability during their time in the Secondary/All-age sector, to enable them to become full members of the bilingual society of which they are a part. This aspiration aligns with Ceredigion County Council's corporate strategy and the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).
Primary Schools
This Language Policy extends across all primary schools in the county and aims to develop the ability of all pupils to be confident in Welsh and English by the end of the primary period. In Welsh-medium schools, Welsh is the language of learning and assessment up to the age of 7.
From Year 3 onwards, there is a continuation of the development of pupils' oral skills (listening and speaking), reading and writing in Welsh and also therefore their similar skills in English. They will be taught through the medium of Welsh for a minimum of 80% of the time and assessed against first language outcomes.
In the Transitional 2 primary schools, pupils up to the age of 7 are taught and assessed through the medium of Welsh on a rolling programme starting at the Nursery age, from September 2024. By Year 3 in the Transitional 2 schools, pupils will continue on a first language pathway in terms of Welsh and will be taught through the medium of Welsh for a minimum of 50% of the time. They will be assessed against first language outcomes.
Secondary/All-age
A pupil who has been assessed in Welsh as a first language at the end of the primary phase (Welsh-medium schools) is expected to continue their Welsh-medium education in the Secondary/All-age sector. It will continue to follow the Welsh First Language route and other subjects through the medium of Welsh until the end of Year 9 (in line with that school's language category) in order to ensure progression and continuity.
It builds on the foundation laid in primary by ensuring that all pupils continue to develop skills in Welsh and English.
Additional Learning Needs
In Ceredigion, there is a strong commitment to ensuring that children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN) receive linguistic equal opportunities in bilingual education in line with the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 and The Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021.
Welsh and English medium provision is available to support most of the range and variety of ALN. A service can be offered to parents and pupils who are fully bilingual.
Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP)
Ceredigion County Council's Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022 - 2032 has been approved by the Welsh Government. It sets out the authority's main aims in terms of the development of the Welsh language under seven specific outcomes. This policy supports the objectives set out within the plan.
To view a copy of the plan, click on the following link: Welsh in Education Strategic Plan
Newcomer provision
Ceredigion County Council is committed to providing a Language Centres service for any pupil arriving in Ceredigion between Years 2 and 6. These pupils are supported to acquire the Welsh language within term time and the schools are supported with dedicated afterthought.
Visit the Ceredigion Language Centres website for more information.
Definition of School Categories by Welsh Government Guidance
The current non-statutory categories are:
| Categories - Primary Sector | |
|---|---|
| Category 3 - Welsh Medium School |
Welsh is the school’s main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. This is a school with a strong Welsh language ethos at its core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social context in and outside of school. In a Welsh immersion setting all learners are taught fully in Welsh, with English being used on occasion to ensure understanding during early immersion. From aged 7 onwards at least 80% of learner’s school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. |
| Category 2 - Dual language |
Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Where Welsh is used as a medium of learning, occasional English is used at times to reinforce the learners' understanding. With the right support, learners could progress to a Category 3 Welsh-medium secondary school. At least 50% of learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. This could be achieved in different ways depending on the school context. It could be by using full Welsh-medium immersion up to age 7 with choice offered in the other year groups, or that 50% of school activities are in Welsh throughout. |
| Category 1 - English Medium School |
English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to read, write, speak and listen in English according to age and ability, and will have some understanding of Welsh. Welsh will be taught and assessed as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication. At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. |
| Categories – Secondary Sector | |
|---|---|
| Category 3 - Welsh Medium School |
Schools in this category are sectioned into two parts: Category 3 Welsh-medium and Category 3P designated Welsh-medium. For all schools in this category Welsh is the main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. These are schools with a strong Welsh language ethos at their core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social contexts in and outside of school. A learner in this category of schools will be able to speak, read, write and listen in both English and Welsh according to age and ability. |
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Category 3 – Welsh-medium school will offer a wide range of their Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE) through the medium of Welsh. At least 60% % of learners undertaking at least 70% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh. Category 3 schools are expected to continue to reflect the linguistic context of the area whilst working towards increasing their Welsh medium provision over time. |
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Category 3P – Designated Welsh-medium school will deliver all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE) through the medium of Welsh. 100% of learners undertaking at least 90% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh. |
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| Category 2 - Dual language |
Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular (AoLEs) as well as extra-curricular offered through the medium of Welsh. At least 40% of learners undertaking at least 40% of school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh. |
| Category 1 - English Medium School |
English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be taught mainly through the medium of English, and will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English according to age and ability. Welsh is taught as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication. At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. |
Revamped categorisation in line with the Welsh Language and Education Act 2025
The Welsh Language and Education Act 2025 places a duty on Welsh Ministers to create subordinate legislation regarding the categorisation of schools.
The statements below set out minimum amounts for the three statutory categories when they come into force:
- 80% for the “Primarily Welsh Language” category
- 50% for the “Dual Language” category
- 10% for the “Primarily English Language, partly Welsh” category
The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, amend 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.
Below you can find current information about Ceredigion schools:
List of Ceredigion Schools according to their language category.