jalima I THINK Welsh (as a second language) is compulsory in Wales, yes; however the children I know doing WelshBac are in Welsh Medium schools so Welsh is treated as a first language. The subjects for WelshBac (Welsh Medium) are:
Welsh Language
Welsh Lit
English Language
Welsh Lit
Maths
Science (2 subjects, or even 3)
RE.
Then: three subjects of child's choosing.
Having written that out, I'm thinking that RE is there in case the child doesn't choose Geography, History etc. Apparently RE is good for critical thinking....
So sadly not much room for music, or drama, IT, or PE.
I would've thought that if anything should be compulsory, it would be IT!
My friend's musical daughter is taking Music as an additional subject. She already has G5.
I'm really worried about Music Services. The orchestras are run on pretty much a voluntary basis now. Private lessons are costing £30 an hour. Outside of the private system, there are few options for a musical child of a less well-off family.
It's shocking, it really is.