Programme supports Welsh speaking teachers into secondary schools
A programme designed to support Welsh-speaking teachers to retrain as secondary school teachers in Wales is now open for applications.
Cynllun Pontio supports Welsh speakers who are currently teaching in primary schools in Wales, teaching outside Wales, or who have been out of the profession for five years or more and wish to return to teaching.
Participants receive a salary while completing training to transition into secondary education. Since 2020, nearly 100 people have been supported through the scheme.
One school to benefit is Ysgol Bro Teifi. Headteacher Gareth Evans said: “Cynllun Pontio has enabled us as a school to retrain primary teachers to develop their experience and confidence to teach in the secondary sector.
“During their experience, the teachers have benefited not only from the support of a mentor within the school, but also the support of a body of experienced staff.
“We are also pleased that some of them have been able to get jobs with us at the school. Others have secured jobs in other secondary schools meeting the scheme’s aim of increasing the capacity of Welsh-medium teachers within the education system. This is undoubtedly a unique and effective programme.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: “We want to support those who want to make the switch to secondary education or rejoin teaching, whilst also utilising their Welsh language skills. This programme provides a package of training and financial support to help people in their education career.
“Cynllun Pontio has already helped many people fulfil their ambition to become secondary school teachers, and I am pleased that applications are once again open to support a new cohort of people looking to join secondary education and teach in the Welsh language.
“The programme is helping develop a teaching workforce to deliver education through the medium of Welsh, which is essential in developing the Welsh skills of our learners.”
Applications are open until Sunday, 22 February 2026. Candidates must complete an application form and submit it by email.
Cynllun Pontio is one of several initiatives supported by £8m of Welsh Government funding to increase the number of Welsh-medium teachers and teaching assistants. Other measures include a £5,000 retention bursary for eligible secondary teachers, funding to support Welsh A level provision when learner numbers are low, and Welsh language training courses for staff in English-medium schools.
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