Shaping the future of 16-18 Local Curricula in Wales

The years between 16 and 18 are some of the most important in a learner’s education journey. It is a time when young people begin to specialise, explore their interests and take the next steps towards higher education, training or employment.

To support this, learners need access to a broad, high-quality range of opportunities that reflect both their aspirations and the needs of their local communities. This is the purpose of 16-18 Local Curricula.

As responsibility for forming local curricula has transferred to Medr, there is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration across Wales and ensure that all learners can benefit from sustainable, inclusive and learner-centred curriculum offers.

What are 16-18 Local Curricula?

A 16-18 Local Curriculum is the collective range of courses and learning opportunities available to young people within a local authority area.

These opportunities may be delivered by schools, further education institutions, or through collaborative arrangements between providers. The aim is to ensure learners can access a broad choice of academic and vocational pathways that support progression to their chosen next steps.

At its heart, local curriculum planning is about learners. It is about understanding what young people need, what opportunities are available, and how partners can work together to maximise choice and support successful outcomes.

Medr’s role

The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 places responsibility for forming 16-18 Local Curricula with Medr, creating a single organisation responsible for strategic oversight of post-compulsory education in Wales.

As part of this role, Medr will work with local authorities, schools, colleges and wider partners to:

• Develop local curriculum arrangements across Wales.
• Use data, evidence and intelligence to inform planning and decision making.
• Support curriculum offers that reflect learner demand and local priorities.
• Promote sustainable provision and meaningful progression pathways.
• Support opportunities for Welsh-medium learning and participation.
• Work collaboratively with partners to develop practical and proportionate approaches that reflect local circumstances.

Effective local curricula depend on strong partnerships and shared ownership. Medr plays a collaborative role, bringing together partners across the system.

The role of local authorities, schools and colleges

Local authorities, schools and further education institutions continue to play a vital role in shaping local curricula.

Their local knowledge and understanding of learners, communities and provision are essential to effective planning. They are also key partners in helping maximise the availability of courses and ensuring learners have access to a broad and balanced curriculum offer.

This includes considering:

• Learner interests and aspirations.
• Progression opportunities into further learning and employment.
• Local and regional labour market intelligence.
• Welsh-medium provision and linguistic continuity.
• Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
• The practical realities of delivering a broad and sustainable curriculum.

By bringing together national oversight and local expertise, partners can create curriculum offers that meet the diverse needs of learners and communities across Wales.

Why collaboration matters

Collaboration has always been central to successful local curriculum planning.

The legislation and guidance recognise that no single organisation can provide every opportunity that learners may wish to access. Schools, colleges and local authorities are therefore encouraged to work together to maximise learner choice and create sustainable curriculum offers.

Working collaboratively can help partners:

• Expand the range of courses available to learners.
• Reduce unnecessary duplication of provision.
• Make the best use of available resources.
• Strengthen learner progression pathways.
• Support Welsh-medium education and increased participation.
• Respond to local skills and labour market needs.

Ultimately, successful local curricula are built on shared responsibility, open dialogue and a collective commitment to putting learners first.

Join the conversation

To support partners as this work develops, Medr is hosting two webinars focused on the future development of 16-18 Local Curricula in Wales.

These sessions will provide an opportunity to better understand:

• Medr’s approach to 16-18 Local Curricula.
• The roles and responsibilities of schools, colleges, local authorities, Medr and Welsh Government.
• How data and evidence will support curriculum planning and decision making.
• The links between curriculum planning, learner progression, curriculum sufficiency and Welsh-medium provision.
• How partners can work collaboratively to develop practical local solutions.
• Future guidance, support and engagement opportunities.

Webinar dates

Registration is now open via Eventbrite.

• Wednesday 7 October, 15.30-16.30, online

• Thursday 8 October, 15.30-16.30, online

We encourage colleagues from schools, sixth forms, local authorities, further education institutions and partner organisations to attend and contribute to shaping the future of 16-18 Local Curricula in Wales.

By working together, we can help ensure that every learner has access to a broad, sustainable and meaningful curriculum offer that supports them to thrive in education, employment and life.

For further information, contact [email protected].