Research

This research was commissioned to give informed consideration to how teaching and learning in Welsh for Adults might be improved.

Old Bell3 Ltd. was commissioned by the Welsh Government (WG) to conduct a Scoping Study into the collection and use of Further Education (FE) Destinations Data in Wales.

The Welsh Government commissioned a literature review, auditing and benchmarking exercise to respond to the recommendations of the former Enterprise and Learning Committee’s follow-up report on Support for People with Dyslexia in Wales (2009).

In 2009 the National Assembly for Wales’ Enterprise and Learning Committee collated evidence on a number of issues relating to school governors.

This Rapid Evidence Assessment investigates the relationship between the drop in attainment during the transition phase with a particular focus on child poverty. The report identifies a range of factors that influence the dip in attainment during the transition phase, as well as actions to address ...

This report presents the findings of the review of the Welsh Financial Education Unit (WFEU), commissioned by the Welsh Government and completed by Arad Research.

The Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), is the largest single programme of educational research ever commissioned in the UK. The programme consisted of 52 separate large scale projects, covering every part of the education syst ...

This report provides the summary findings of the Welsh Childcare and Early Years Survey which was conducted in 2009. The study aims provides salient, up-to-date information on parents’ use of childcare and early years education, and their views and experiences of childcare.

This evaluation report assesses the impact of Cymorth on partnership capacity building, preventative service delivery and its influence on the delivery of mainstream services.

It was recognised that whilst a school uniform policy can be beneficial to schools, its pupils and their parents, there can be a risk of marginalisation or disadvantage to some groups. The overall aim of the research was therefore to explore the views of parents/carers and young people in Wales.

Working with the qualifications regulators for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we have produced a set of regulatory principles to address developments in e-assessment. These principles are designed ensure flexibility and encourage innovation in e-assessment. These can be downloaded from thi ...

The ‘One Wales’ agreement includes a commitment to establish an “enquiry into disengagement from learning amongst children and young people to look at evidence of what works”.

The Welsh Assembly Government commissioned the People & Work Unit (PWU) to undertake a survey of school bullying in Wales.

The National Foundation for Educational Research was commissioned to undertake research into the national Agreement.

The purpose of this research project was to qualitatively investigate barriers and triggers to participating in education, learning and training.

This report presents the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from the extensive research and consultation process followed in the study. The purpose of this study was to examine the provision of English for speakers of other languages in Wales.

Analysis of support for young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the youth justice system in Wales report 2009: This document sets outlines some of the issues in relation to support for young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the youth justice system in Wales. An action pla ...

The overall aim of this study was to provide an overview of the evidence of the benefits of children and young people’s involvement in decision making.

The first all Wales survey of bullying in schools took place in the summer, 2009. This gathered information from over 7,000 children and young people. The aim of the research was to establish the different types of bullying going on in schools and their frequency.

The 2008 Schools Learner Voice Survey was undertaken as part of the DCELLS 2007-2010 Customer Research Programme (CRP).

In November 2008, the Welsh Assembly Government carried out research to investigate a range of workforce issues affecting current and prospective head teachers in Wales.

The teachers’ workloads diary survey provides data on the hours and working patterns of teachers in maintained primary, secondary and special schools in England and Wales.

A report has been published on the deployment and characteristics of teaching support staff in Wales and England. This page directs to the report.

The ‘Words Talk – Numbers Count’ strategy is the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy to improve literacy and numeracy in Wales. It is the second Welsh basic skills strategy and is delivered by ‘Basic Skills Cymru’.

The 2008 Schools Learner Voice Survey was undertaken as part of the DCELLS 2007-2010 Customer Research Programme (CRP).

This report was commissioned from Professor Tony Watts by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of a wider review it is conducting of careers services in Wales.

This report presents the findings of the 2007/08 Student Income and Expenditure Survey.

The One Wales policy programme (2007) of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) included a commitment to 'develop a national structure for classroom assistants in Wales'.

Learning Options for 14-19 year olds in Wales: A Research Report

A literature review followed by discussions with 25 basic skills providers/practitioners and a survey of 200 learners, spread across Wales.

Successful economies are adapting to the increasingly competitive international environment by shifting production towards higher value-added products and economic growth

This research study investigates the barriers to learning amongst four selected communities. The four selected communities are the Pakistani; Bangladeshi; Somali and African Caribbean communities.

NIACE undertake an annual survey of adult participation in learning across the UK. This report presents the 2007 results for Wales. It includes findings on participation in learning, future intentions to learn, motivation, benefits and barriers to learning. Download: Wales: Moving Towards The Lear ...

This report presents the findings from a study commissioned to identify and examine examples of good practice, both in the UK and other countries and consult with a series of key stakeholders in Wales to seek views on whether an Apprenticeship clearing house would be of benefit to potential apprent ...

Family learning is learning which takes place within families. This Insight explores issues around family learning including basic skills and issues relating to widening participation. Download: Learning Insight – Family Learning [.pdf 555KB]

Words Talk – Numbers Count was published by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2005, setting out a five year approach to raising standards of literacy and numeracy in Wales.

The research in this paper aims to identify the current situation in terms of the learning of older people in Wales, explore the barriers to learning and suggest ways forward.  It forms part of the series of Learning Insights into specific populations in Wales which are seen to be of strategic impo ...

This study investigates how educational attainment changes for minority ethnic students as they progress through state secondary schools in Wales. The recent development and release of pupil–level administrative data allows a detailed analysis of this issue for the first time. Download: The ...

This research looks at the impact of learning and training provision delivered through the voluntary sector. Impact is not straightforward to measure as the effect of particular courses or activities cannot always be isolated from the impact of other influences on the learner. Actual impact of lea ...

Improving retention and attainment in post–16 learning is one of the Department for Education, Learning and Skills’ (DELLS) key priorities. Whilst learners who leave courses early, or who do not gain qualifications, may still gain useful skills from courses, early leaving implies that learnin ...

This piece of research explored the experiences of learners from a black and minority ethnic (BME) background and gain a better understanding of the motivations, aspirations and challenges faced by BME learners in FE and work based learning. The information it provides will be used to inform the wo ...

The LEED Unit at Cardiff Business School has compiled this report on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS).

This report sets out the summary and conclusions from the evaluation of the National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales.