Where does Wales go now? Live from ResearchEd Cymru Bach (Part 1)

This half term, we're bringing you a triple-bill of episodes recorded at ResearchEd Cymru Bach. The event was convened to discuss where Wales goes now at this important moment for education. A new Plaid Cymru government coincided with yet another poor set of results in the international PISA results for Wales, and this has brought questions about the last decade of education reforms to a head.

The event heard from a range of speakers, all of them well-known here in the country.

Today we'll hear the contributions of Rhys Williams, Finola Wilson and Lucy Crehan. Rhys is the ITV News journalist who has done sterling work uncovering issues around reading, Finola is the director of Impact Wales, and Lucy is the bestselling author and curriculum expert who has most recently been involved in the review of the Northern Ireland curriculum.

In the event itself, the speakers did have slides, and if you're listening in audio you might hear them refer to things you can't see. Don't forget we are also available in-vision at youtube.com/@talkteachingpod

Following the three presentations, Emma and Tom pitch in with their thoughts.

Next time, we'll hear from two school leaders and friends of the podcast, Kelly Bubbins from Willows High School and Gareth Rein from St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School.

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Recorded at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff on 8th October 2026 (event) and Studio B2.15 at Cardiff Metropolitan University's Cyncoed Campus on 29th October 2026 (studio discussion)