‘Camau i’r Dyfodol’ research project publishes Phase 1 Report
The Camau i’r Dyfodol (Steps to the Future) project has today (10 May 2023) published its Phase 1 research report.
Dr Sonny Singh, Principal Investigator UWTSD, speaking at the ‘Camau i’r Dyfodol’ workshop hosted by UWTSD earlier this year.
This project is a collaboration between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the University of Glasgow (UofG), funded by the Welsh Government, and working with education professionals in Wales to further support curriculum reform.
The Phase 1 report explores understandings of progression and co-construction in the system and reviews published evidence to develop future phases of the project. Various research methods involving education professionals in Wales were used, providing key findings and insights about where education professionals are in the change process, and the challenges and opportunities associated with realisation of the new Curriculum for Wales. The report develops the project’s approach to co-construction and reviews evidence about the relationships between curriculum, assessment, pedagogy, and progression.
Researchers from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David undertook fieldwork that helped develop this understanding, building on the relationship already fostered by the Athrofa and its partnership schools.
Dr Sonny Singh (Principal Investigator UWTSD) said:
“The Camau i’r Dyfodol research project has been designed to support education professionals in Wales to advance practical understandings of progression in learning. Our phase 1 report highlights the need of aligning the curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy, as well as the importance of progression and purpose in promoting coherence and supporting the education system throughout.
The university is delighted to continue our work with the Welsh Government and the University of Glasgow on this important project. The aim is to support the Welsh education system to realise sustainable curricular reform.”
Dr David Morrison-Love (Principal Investigator, University of Glasgow) said:
“I think the Phase 1 report has shown the significance of the meaning-making processes involved in any major curricular change. For us, it has underscored the importance of not simply providing time to reflect deeply about Curriculum for Wales, but of a space to be able to think in different ways about progression and curriculum realisation.”
A spokesperson on behalf of Welsh Government, added:
“This is an important milestone in the project which is helping the Welsh Government understand some of the underlying challenges of introducing our innovative curriculum in Wales and helps provide the evidence base on which to continue supporting its introduction, particularly around progression and assessment.”
The key findings of the Phase 1 report include a desire among educational partners for a shared understanding of progression in learning, challenges to co-construction activities, and questions about how to change towards a learner-focused assessment culture. Additionally, the report suggests that progression in Curriculum for Wales is a broader concept than the learning progressions found in most of the research literature, and that it is unclear whether there is consistency in understandings of the new curriculum across the system. The report’s findings, including understandings developed from the literature and the challenges, approaches, and implications identified, were integral to establishing co-construction activity in Phase 2 of the project. Key findings and considerations were also made for the wider system.
As the Camau i’r Dyfodol project moves forward, it is committed to ongoing co-construction with educational partners to support the development of practical understanding of progression in learning as part of Wales’ ambitious curricular reform. This collaborative approach will help to ensure that the curriculum is continuously evolving and improving, in response to the changing needs and demands of learners.
For more information on the Camau i’r Dyfodol research project, please visit: uwtsd.ac.uk/camau-ir-dyfodol/
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