Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee

Policy Review:English Medium Writing In Wales

ACCAC

Thank you for inviting ACCAC to contribute to the policy review of English Medium Writing in Wales. Our observations will largely be confined to the first of your terms of reference, namely, the contribution of English medium books and writing to Welsh culture.The National Curriculum Order for English - English in the National Curriculum in Wales, sets out a requirement that schools should give pupils in Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 opportunities to read "Works by Welsh authors writing in English and those works that have a Welsh setting or special relevance to Wales". Enclosed are the relevant pages from the order (pages 4,5,18,26,34) and a copy of the pages (pages 23,24,50,51) that outline the common requirements, one of which is the promotion of the Curriculum Cymreig (which would include English Medium Writing in Wales). These requirements set out the expectations and opportunities for pupils aged 7-16 to read a range of such works, both contemporary and established.In practice, the writing of contemporary authors and poets (such as that published by Pont Books) is more likely to be studied at Key Stages 2 and 3, while the work of more established writers such as Dylan Thomas, R.S Thomas, Dannie Abse and Leslie Norris would feature in specifications for GCSE and AS/AL courses. However, the work of many writers, including Gillian Clark, Sheenagh Pugh and Catherine Fisher - especially through collections and anthologies of writing - is used across the age range.You will be interested to know that ACCAC will shortly be publishing guidance on the development of the Curriculum Cymreig. This publication will include case studies on the use of literature from Wales. Enclosed is near final text from this publication which indicates some of the ways in which schools incorporate such writing into their schemes of work and which illustrates some of the opportunities afforded to schools to familiarise pupils with new and more established writers.The invitation letter requested details of contacts that might prove useful to your consultation. The case studies mentioned above give details of such contacts that have proved fruitful for schools; in particular you may find that Academi and the National Language Unit of Wales at the WJEC (Chris Stephens is their officer for English in Wales) will be able to offer useful information.Thank you again for the invitation to participate. I hope the information is helpful to the Committee in pursuing it’s review. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.John V WilliamsChief Executive