The announcement follows the publication of the latest PISA results, which highlighted continuing challenges in reading outcomes in Wales and around the world. The Welsh Government's new plan sets out a long-term approach to improving literacy and numeracy through greater clarity, consistency and coherence across the education system.
In her statement, the Minister said: "We expect more schools to benefit from CAL:ON, our new national centre of excellence for literacy, which has been well received by teachers and which sits front and centre of our Plan."
Established in 2025 and funded by the Welsh Government, CAL:ON Cymru develops bilingual literacy programmes and interventions, professional learning, assessment tools and and national guidance documents for schools across Wales. All programmes and resources are available in Welsh and in English. The new plan places CAL:ON Cymru at the heart of several major national initiatives. These include the rollout of literacy screening assessments, the development of national literacy guidance, and strengthening phonics provision in Welsh and English.
CAL:ON Cymru is currently trailing its package of support with schools across Wales. CAL:ON Cymru’s mission is to ensure that national literacy provision is grounded in robust research. The centre brings together researchers, schools and national partners to develop and evaluate bilingual approaches to literacy teaching, assessment, and intervention before supporting a national rollout. This research-to-practice model will also generate new data which will inform the evolution of the national approach to literacy teaching with evidence from schools about what really works for learners.
