PROPOSALS on the use of the Welsh language in education across Caerphilly county borough have been outlined by the local authority.

The Caerphilly Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) “contains a commitment to meet certain targets for Welsh medium education by 2017”, according to the council.

As part of the proposals, the council will develop Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymi’s Y Gwyndy site to include sixth form provision and relocate Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili to the site.

The council is also part of the Regional WESP forum, a partnership with the Education Achievement Service, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen councils, targeting improvements at students aged 14-19 studying subjects and working towards qualifications through the medium of Welsh. The regional partnership will also be tasked with ensuring there are more learners with higher skills in Welsh, as well as ensuring workforce planning and personal development.

Councillor Rhianon Passmore, the council’s cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “This authority has a proud history of supporting the Welsh language, and this statutory plan demonstrates our commitment to providing young people with qualitative access to Welsh medium education.”

The council said it has made a commitment to improve the number of learners at age seven and allow learners to continue to improve their language skills when they move on to secondary school, and will continue to support learners with additional learning needs in Welsh medium provision.