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| Newspaper alleges Welsh exam board WJEC broke rules | Newspaper alleges Welsh exam board WJEC broke rules |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Wales' education minister has demanded immediate answers from Welsh examining board the WJEC after allegations its examiners broke rules during seminars. | Wales' education minister has demanded immediate answers from Welsh examining board the WJEC after allegations its examiners broke rules during seminars. |
| The Daily Telegraph claims teachers in England were advised on the precise topics of future exam questions. | The Daily Telegraph claims teachers in England were advised on the precise topics of future exam questions. |
| Undercover reporters went to 13 meetings run by exam boards used in English schools, including the WJEC. | Undercover reporters went to 13 meetings run by exam boards used in English schools, including the WJEC. |
| The WJEC says its systems are rigorous and its seminars are by no means secretive. | The WJEC says its systems are rigorous and its seminars are by no means secretive. |
| The Daily Telegraph said all the examining boards involved had promised to investigate the matter. | The Daily Telegraph said all the examining boards involved had promised to investigate the matter. |
| It alleged that teachers, who paid up to £200 a day to attend, were "routinely" given information about future exams, including questions, syllabus areas to focus on and even the specific words or facts students must use to win marks. | It alleged that teachers, who paid up to £200 a day to attend, were "routinely" given information about future exams, including questions, syllabus areas to focus on and even the specific words or facts students must use to win marks. |
| One examiner from the WJEC was recorded apparently admitting that what he was doing was cheating. | One examiner from the WJEC was recorded apparently admitting that what he was doing was cheating. |
| Derec Stockley, director or examinations at the WJEC, told BBC Wales he was worried by the apparent use of words such as "cheating" and "off the record" by the examiner, which in his view was unwise. | |
| He said the WJEC would be conducing an urgent inquiry with the examiners involved. | |
| In a statement, the WJEC said its management of examinations was "rigorous and undertaken in accordance with strict regulatory guidance". | |
| "Most of the issues raised by the Telegraph's anonymous reporters relate to an incomplete understanding of the generic advice on teaching approaches given in good faith at professional development sessions with the aim of enhancing students' appreciation of the subjects studied and their assessment," said the examining board. | "Most of the issues raised by the Telegraph's anonymous reporters relate to an incomplete understanding of the generic advice on teaching approaches given in good faith at professional development sessions with the aim of enhancing students' appreciation of the subjects studied and their assessment," said the examining board. |
| "WJEC's professional development courses are by no means 'secretive'. The information given at the courses is freely available on WJEC's public website in order to make sure that no teachers or their students are disadvantaged by teachers being unable to attend the courses themselves." | "WJEC's professional development courses are by no means 'secretive'. The information given at the courses is freely available on WJEC's public website in order to make sure that no teachers or their students are disadvantaged by teachers being unable to attend the courses themselves." |
| Allegations of malpractice | |
| The Welsh government said it was aware of the allegations and Education Minister Leighton Andrews had demanded immediate answers from the WJEC. | The Welsh government said it was aware of the allegations and Education Minister Leighton Andrews had demanded immediate answers from the WJEC. |
| "As the qualifications regulator for Wales, the Welsh government takes seriously all allegations of malpractice," a spokesperson said. | "As the qualifications regulator for Wales, the Welsh government takes seriously all allegations of malpractice," a spokesperson said. |
| "We work with the regulators in England (Ofqual) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to ensure that qualifications give a fair and reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding so that the public can have confidence in the qualifications system. | "We work with the regulators in England (Ofqual) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to ensure that qualifications give a fair and reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding so that the public can have confidence in the qualifications system. |
| "The regulators are liaising with each other and the awarding organisations concerned to get a fuller picture of what has happened and will then take any appropriate action promptly and consistently across the three countries." | "The regulators are liaising with each other and the awarding organisations concerned to get a fuller picture of what has happened and will then take any appropriate action promptly and consistently across the three countries." |
| The Welsh government said if there was evidence of malpractice the regulators would "work together to take action". | The Welsh government said if there was evidence of malpractice the regulators would "work together to take action". |
| UK Education Secretary Michael Gove has ordered an inquiry in England. |