Cymraeg

Academi Wales

Winter School 2024 - more information

For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.

Apply for Winter School

The Challenge

Please answer the following questions in your application. 

It may be that your ideas around your challenge don’t feel fully formed or easy to express with a lot of clarity at the moment. That’s OK - gaining clarity and insight about your challenge is part of the Winter School experience. The word count indicates the range of styles of response we are anticipating. Sometimes less is more but we also know that writing a concise answer takes time. Please contact Winter School if you have any queries about completing the application form.

  • Your Challenge – What is occupying your mind, maybe even keeping you awake at night? What social, environmental, organisational and economic factors are contributing to this challenge? What makes it more than just yet another problem to solve? (min 50 words - max 500 words)
  • Which other parts of the system contribute to your challenge? Who would you need to collaborate with to change it? (min 50 words - max 350 words)
  • In an ideal world, what would you like to do to resolve your challenge that feels currently impossible? (min 50 words - max 350 words)

The experience of the Winter School team will be used to identify the factors we are looking for as part of the sifting process and places will be awarded based on the suitability of the challenge presented.

Consideration will be given to sector and regional representation with delegates selected from across the public sector to enable a wide range of viewpoints and to support you in strengthening your professional network.

How much does it cost?

£600 + VAT. This includes:

  • access to the full Winter School learning programme
  • delegate pack
  • accommodation (Tuesday 27 February to Friday 1 March 2024)
  • breakfast, lunch and evening meal during the event

You must meet any personal incidental costs, such as travel to and from the event.

Please note: If you are awarded a place and later decide to withdraw from the programme, Academi Wales reserve the right to charge your organisation an administration charge, please see our website for further information.

Accommodation

Winter School is a residential event and accommodation will be provided for all successful applicants.

Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. It is necessary to provide the following details in your application:

  • Full name and address of organisation paying your delegate fee
  • Name and email address of the person responsible for arranging payment of your delegate fee

Supplier: Welsh Government
Supplier address: Welsh Government, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ

To confirm your place, you will need to provide a purchase order number. Your organisation will be invoiced for your delegate fee following your attendance at Winter School 2024.

For further details regarding invoicing requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.

Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. To support your application can you please provide the following details:

  • Branch finance manager email address

To confirm your place, your branch finance manager must provide the following details to AW.Business@gov.wales:

  • Profit centre
  • Activity code
  • Personnel number or name of delegate

We will issue a journal transfer to collect your delegate fee after the event.

If you require further details on the journal transfer requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.

General timetable - opening and closing of event

Tuesday 27 February

  • 11am: registration and accommodation allocation (if arriving before 11am please let us know)
  • 12pm: lunch
  • 1pm: programme begins

Friday 1 March

  • 12.30pm: programme ends

Personal programme preparation

Where applicable, you are required to complete all pre-work set by the speakers.

Successful delegates will be enrolled onto the Winter School delegate hub. This is a secure closed site and can be accessed anytime, anywhere and on any device. The hub will provide the opportunity to share important information leading up to the event, have discussions and network with your fellow delegates.

It is important that you log onto the hub to receive regular updates and key information about the programme.

Please note you will require an up to date web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to access the delegate hub.

Frequently asked questions

  • Yes – delegates must attend the whole programme. It's been purposefully designed and you will not realise the full benefits of the programme unless you complete all aspects.

  • Yes – however, we encourage you to take advantage of the residential part of the programme. If you live locally you may commute to and from your home - please let us know as soon as possible if accommodation is not required. Non-accommodation delegates are still required to pay the £600 + VAT contribution.

  • There are no childcare or crèche facilities available. You will be required to make your own childcare arrangements.

  • Meals and refreshments are included within the programme (however alcohol, bar or café purchases are not covered).

    • Breakfast: between 7.30 am and 8.30 am daily
    • Dinner: 7.30 pm.

    There is a small cash bar and coffee shop on site. Please note: there is no cash machine at or near the venue. Please withdraw cash in advance if you plan to use these facilities.

  • Please note on your application form if you need any assistance or have any medical or specific dietary needs. If necessary we will contact you to discuss nearer the event.

  • Winter School is delivered in English, simultaneous translation is available in the plenary room. However, delegate packs and materials are provided bilingually.

    • Due to the remote location of the centre, mobile phone signals may be patchy. However, landline access is available 24/7.
    • Wifi is available in all areas except the chapel

    • A torch: Nant Gwrtheyrn is a small site but, because of its location, moving between the function hall and accommodation (especially later at night) can be particularly dark, so you may wish to bring a torch.
    • Toiletries, hairdryers etc
    • Cash (please note: there are no cash points or shops in the close vicinity)
    • General supplies may be useful tea, milk and biscuits, as some of the cottages have kitchen areas (however, all other food and refreshments are provided during the event)

    • Classroom sessions - please feel free to adopt a casual dress code.
    • Walk - we recommend that you bring suitable warm, comfortable clothes, outdoor weather gear and sturdy footwear with you. The weather will be unpredictable and can get very cold.
    • It has become a tradition for Winter School delegates to go on an early morning coastal path walk before sessions start. If this is something that you may be interested in please bring with you a torch, suitable footwear and appropriate warm clothing.

  • We reserve the right to take photographs / video footage during the event which may be used for publicity purposes and for the production of learning information.

  • Train

    www.thetrainline.com (external link)

    Car sharing

    Once the delegate list is confirmed, with your approval, we'll share the contact details. You can then make your own car sharing arrangements for travel to and from the event.

  • Winter School Team

    WinterSchool@gov.wales

    03000 256 687

    Nant Gwrtheyrn - Venue

    Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6NL
    01758 750 334

    Nant Gwrtheyrn (external link)

For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.