Literacy, numeracy and digital competence are mandatory within Curriculum for Wales as the essential bedrock to all learning, lifelong skills and to realise the four purposes. As learners deepen their understanding and become competent in their use of these skills they access and broaden knowledge within AoLEs and across the curriculum whilst developing twenty-first century skills.
Schools must design and deliver an authentic curriculum which enables learners to develop competence and capability in these skills and, where there are opportunities, to extend and apply them across all Areas.
The National Literacy and Numeracy Framework and the DCF have been refined and adapted in-line with guidance and whilst the frameworks are no longer statutory they provide a supporting guidance and structure to ensure there are frequent opportunities to develop, extend and apply these essential cross-curricular skills.
Learner progress is to be assessed across the curriculum and not specifically to literacy and numeracy. Consideration needs to be given to:
the progress made by learners
the next steps in their progression
the teaching and learning needed to make that progress.
Key principles
The three mandatory cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence must be embedded and developed across all areas of learning and experience to enable learners to access the whole curriculum and make the most of future opportunities.
Authentic and meaningful contexts provide the vehicle for mastery of the literacy, numeracy and digital skills that will help learners to deepen their understanding and become confident in their use of the skills across the curriculum.
The curriculum is no longer a set of separate individual subjects but a holistic tapestry of learning where the concepts, skills and knowledge are interwoven alongside the cross-curricular skills into the fabric of everyday school life.
A whole-school approach for the teaching of literacy, numeracy and digital skills across the curriculum is essential so that there is a consistent, shared approach.
All members of the school community have a shared understanding as to why the cross-curricular skills are fundamental to learners realising the four purposes and enhancing their life opportunities.
Key considerations:
Why is it important that all practitioners see themselves as teachers of literacy, numeracy and digital skills?
How can we ensure the whole-school has common expectations and understanding as to the importance, and relevance of embedding and developing the cross-curricular skills?
How are we developing curriculum design that identifies worthwhile opportunities for the development and application of literacy, numeracy and digital skills?
How do we ensure all practitioners have the appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively plan for and embed the cross-curricular skills within their class?
In what ways do staff consider varying pedagogical approaches to support all learners develop the cross-curricular skills?