• On 29 September 2011, the Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff
Cuthbert, launched a review of the qualifications on offer in
Wales.
• The Review of Qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds in Wales
aimed to ensure that we have qualifications that are
understood and valued and meet the needs of our young
people and the Welsh economy
• The Review Board delivered its final report and
recommendations to the Deputy Minister for Skills on 28
November 2012.
• On 29 January 2013, the Deputy Minister announced that the
Welsh Government broadly accepted all of the Review’s
recommendations. In accepting these, the Welsh Government
is setting a clear strategic direction and vision for
qualifications for 14- to 19-year olds in Wales.
• February 2013 – 2017: timeline established to implement
changes in each key area.
• Qualifications Wales will be set up as an independent body to regulate and
quality assure qualifications in Wales. In time Qualifications Wales will
award most GCSE’s, A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
• Introduction a revised and more rigorous Welsh Baccalaureate
qualification that is universally adopted.
• Revised GCSE’s in English and Maths to be introduced for teaching from
September 2015.
• The current AS/A2 structure to be retained with January assessments
abolished after January 2014. Resits to be limited to one per module.
• Vocational Qualifications to be classified as Initial Vocational Education
and Training (IVET’s) or Continuing Vocational Education and training
(CVET’s).
• New GCSE in English Language to provide greater assurance of
literacy which will focus on the skills needed in everyday lives.
• Revised GCSE in English Literature.
• TWO new Maths GCSE’s to be introduced:
i) Numeracy: this will focus on the maths needed for
everyday life.
ii) Mathematics: this will focus on the aspects and
techniques required for progression to scientific,
technical or further study.
NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION:
• The New Welsh Baccalaureate is based on a Skills Challenge Certificate
alongside Supporting Qualifications.
• It will focus on literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem
solving, planning, organization, creativity, innovation and personal
effectiveness.
• The requirements of both the Skills Challenge Certificate and Supporting
Qualifications must be met in order to achieve the overarching Welsh
Baccalaureate.
NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION:
• The Skills Challenge Certificate will be made up of the following
components:
 Individual Project: 50%
 Enterprise and Employability Challenge: 20%
 Global Citizenship Challenge: 15%
 Community Challenge: 15%
• Each component of the skills challenge certificate will be awarded a
summative grade:
Level 1 Pass; Level 2 pass; Level 2 Merit; Level 2 Distinction.
NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION:
• The outcomes from each component will determine an overall grade for
the Skills Challenge Certificate:
 A*-C at National Level or
 Foundation Pass or Foundation Pass* at Foundation level.
• To achieve the overarching National Welsh Baccalaureate learners must
achieve the National Skills Challenge Certificate (A*-C) together with the
following supporting qualifications:
• English Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of
2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-C level.
NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION:
• To achieve the overarching Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate learners must
achieve either the National or Foundation Skills Challenge certificate
together with the following supporting qualifications:
• English Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of
2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-G level.
High Level Model
Therefore the curriculum starting September 2015 will need to have the
following core components:
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Maths x 2 GCSE’s
English x 2 GCSE’s
Science x 2 GCSE’s
Welsh Baccalaureate (1 GCSE)
Religious Studies (Short Course)
Welsh (Short Course)
Physical Education
PSE
Option subjects will make up the remainder of the curriculum.
• OPTION TALK: NOVEMBER
• LEARNING PATHWAYS DAYS: 25TH & 26TH NOVEMBER
• TALKS TO FORM GROUPS: DECEMBER
• NEW SUBJECT OPTION TALKS: JAN 2015
• FREE CHOICE: 12TH-16TH JANUARY
• PARENTS EVENINGS: 3RD & 4TH FEBRUARY
• OPTION BOOKLET/SCHOOL WEBSITE: 15TH DECEMBER
• CAREERS ADVICE: CAREERS WALES WEBSITE
• INDIVIDUAL PUPIL INTERVIEWS: 9TH FEBRUARY
• OPTIONS OPEN EVENING IN UPPER SCHOOL: 12TH FEBRUARY
• OPTION FORMS SUBMITTED: 27TH FEBRUARY
• INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PATHWAY PLAN TO HELP GUIDE PUPILS
THROUGH EACH STAGE OF THE PROCESS
“The Individual learning pathway plan
looks really good – gets you thinking
about possible jobs early on.” Year 12
• “I feel that the Learning pathway plan
has useful aspects, overall it helps you
to stay on track to achieve your targets.”
Year 10