NAHT Cymru has launched its Senedd election manifesto ahead of May 2026, setting out what school leaders across Wales need from the next Welsh Government to build a strong, fair and properly supported education system for every child and young person.

School leaders know that education is the cornerstone of tackling poverty, strengthening communities and driving Wales’s future success. Yet schools continue to face chronic underfunding, increasing workload pressures and diminishing support services. Our manifesto sets out a clear, practical and ambitious roadmap for change.

View our manifesto in full.

What we’re calling for:

1. Fair and sustainable school funding

A commitment to equitable per‑pupil funding and the end of the postcode lottery that leaves some schools struggling to deliver even the basics.

2. Fully funded, fair pay

Restoring pay levels to 2010 in real terms and ensuring future pay rises are fully funded to help schools recruit and retain teachers, leaders and support staff.

3. Valuing and protecting school leaders

Improved conditions of service, codified leadership roles and proper recognition for school business leaders and ALNCos.

4. Real action on workload

Delivery of the post‑industrial action workload agreement, including a national Workload Impact Assessment for all new education policy.

5. Rebuilding essential support services

Investment in local authority services—ALN, mental health teams, counselling and early years—so schools are no longer left to plug gaps in the system.

6. Stability in education policy

The profession’s clearest message:

Let teachers teach. Let leaders lead. Stop the constant churn of new initiatives and allow reforms to bed in.

Upcoming Senedd election hustings

As part of our manifesto launch, NAHT Cymru will be hosting a series of online hustings with political parties standing in the 2026 Senedd election. These events will give school leaders the chance to hear directly from candidates and understand how they plan to support education in Wales. To join us at one of our hustings events, please click on the links below. 

In-person Wales-wide Senedd election hustings with ASCL, Cardiff

• Date: 17 April 2026
• Time: 9:30am-12pm

Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf (Cardiff North and Taff Ely) constituency

• Date: 20 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf constituency.
• Register your place.

Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) constituency

• Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency.
• Register your place.

Bangor Conwy Môn (Ynys Môn) constituency 

• Date: 22 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Bangor, Aberconwy and Ynys Môn areas.
• Register your place.

Ceredigion Penfro constituency (Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire) constituency 

• Date: 27 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Ceredigion Penfro constituency.
• Register your place.

Fflint Wrecsam constituency (Flint and Wrexham) constituency 

• Date: 28 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Flintshire and Wrexham constituencies.
• Register your place.

Sir Fynwy Torfaen constituency

• Date: 29 April 2026
• Time: 5pm-6.30pm
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Audience: Primary and secondary school leaders from across the Sir Fynwy Torfaen constituency.
• Register your place.

Watch this space for more details and discussion summaries.

Our message to the next Welsh Government

Trust in the expertise of school leaders. Fund schools fairly. Provide the support and stability the profession needs. If you give education the resources and breathing space it deserves, we will deliver for the children and young people of Wales.