Eduqas
Qualification reform update
November 2015
INTRODUCING EDUQAS
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In light of the diverging qualifications between England and Wales,
WJEC has developed a new brand: Eduqas.
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Eduqas will be the brand that provides schools with WJEC’s newly
reformed Ofqual regulated GCSEs, AS and A levels.
•
Eduqas will enable teachers to clearly distinguish between legacy
qualifications and reformed Wales qualifications (WJEC branded) and
the reformed qualifications in England (Eduqas branded).
•
•
Eduqas branded qualifications will be taught from September 2015
Eduqas qualifications will primarily be available in England.
For first teaching in September 2015
GCSE
AS and A level
English Language
English Literature
Mathematics
Art and Design
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics
English Language
English Language and Literature
English Literature
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
For first teaching in September 2016
GCSE History
GCSE + GCE Geography
GCSE + GCE RS
GCSE Latin
GCSE + GCE Drama
GCSE + GCE Music
GCSE Art
GCSE + GCE MFL
GCSE Food
GCSE + GCE PE
GCSE Computer Science
GCSE Science
For first teaching in September 2017
GCSE
Design and Technology
AS and A level
Design and Technology
Further Mathematics
Mathematics
(Deferred from earlier schedules)
GCSE
AS and A level
Business
Electronics (as sole provider)
Film Studies (as sole provider)
Geology (as sole provider)
Information and Communication Technology
Media Studies
Sociology
Electronics (as sole provider)
Film Studies
Geology
Information and Communication Technology
Law
Media Studies
(Subject to detailed DfE process)
General issues
GCSE
• 1-9 grading
•
Linear assessment
• Tiering only where appropriate
• Non – exam assessment only where skills or content can’t be
assessed by exam
• GCSE Mathematics – new sample assessment materials
•
GCSE English Language – confirmation of spoken language
assessment
• “Lesser taught” / “community” languages
General issues
Reformed GCSEs will be introduced gradually over three years from
September 2015. They will be graded from 9 to 1, instead of A* to G.
Students taking GCSEs over this period will therefore receive a
mixture of 9 to 1 and A* to G grades.
Students will not lose out as a result of the changes.
We will use a statistical method (known as comparable outcomes) in
2017 so that:
broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and
above as currently achieve a grade C and above
broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and
above as currently achieve a grade A and above
the bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G
grade 5 will be awarded to around the top third of students gaining
the equivalent of a grade C and bottom third of a grade B. This has
been defined as a good pass by the Department for Education.
General issues
GCE
• Grading structure unchanged
•
Linear
• AS a separate, stand alone qualification
• Non – exam assessment only where skills or content can’t be
assessed by exam
• GCE Sciences – training for separately endorsed assessment of
practical work
• “Lesser taught” / “community” languages
Support for centres
www.eduqas.co.uk/training
• Free CPD briefings and preparing to teach meetings for
2016 qualifications
• Further CPD support for 2015 qualifications
www.eduqas.co.uk/contact-us
• Expert subject support by email and phone
• Extensive free online resources and endorsed
publications
WJEC Eduqas regional representatives
Who we are
• Small team of regional representatives for England
established in January
• Based in the regions:
South East and London – Jonathan Harrington
The North – Catherine Oldham
South West, Midlands and East Anglia – Dave Jones
• Line manager - Hugh Lester
How we can help
• Supporting new and existing centres (contact, visits,
curriculum clinics)
• Presentations on resources and qualification reform
• Attending LEA and consortia events
• Introducing new specifications
• Attending exams officer meetings
• Representing WJEC Eduqas at conferences and events
• Representing WJEC Eduqas at subject specific events
Curriculum clinics
• Appointments or ‘drop-in’ sessions with teachers from a
range of subjects
• A chance to feedback and ask questions about existing
and new specifications
• Learn about our new teaching resources
• Understand how Exam Results Analysis and Online Exam
Review can support teachers
• A chance for SLT to feedback general issues and ask
broad questions
Visits to departments/centres new to Eduqas
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•
•
•
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Update on qualification reform and other developments
Introduction to our overall provision
Overview of specific qualifications
Learn about our teaching resources and other support
Understand how Exam Results Analysis and Online Exam
Review can support teachers
• Ask questions
• Make contacts
Some examples of recent and
forthcoming support
• Representing WJEC Eduqas at History Association conference
• Representing WJEC Eduqas at NATE’s annual conference
• Local ‘marketplace’ events to discuss new specifications with senior
leaders
• Attending exam officer network meetings across the regions
• Attending subject department meetings to introduce new
specifications
• Representing WJEC Eduqas at ASCL annual conference
• Leading regional “expo” events this summer
Contacts
North: Catherine Oldham
catherine.oldham@eduqas.co.uk
@coldhamwjec
SW & Midlands: Dave Jones
davidr.jones@eduqas.co.uk
@DavidWJECJones
SE & London: Jonathan Harrington
jonathan.harrington@eduqas.co.uk
@jharringtonWJEC
General enquiries: Hugh Lester
hugh.lester@eduqas.co.uk
@hugh_lester
For further information
www.eduqas.co.uk
@eduqas
hugh.lester@eduqas.co.uk
@hugh_lester