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Wales 'should keep GCSEs' as part of stronger' Welsh Bacc, review says Wales should keep GCSEs as part of stronger Bacc, review says
(about 1 hour later)
Teenagers in Wales should continue to sit GCSEs as part of a revamped Baccalaureate, an independent report says.Teenagers in Wales should continue to sit GCSEs as part of a revamped Baccalaureate, an independent report says.
The recommendation would mean a divergence from the system in England, where new qualifications are planned. The recommendation would increase differences with England, where new qualifications are planned.
The Welsh review also calls for a new body to set and regulate exams. The Welsh review also calls for more difficult GCSEs that test literacy and numeracy, and the creation of a new body to set and regulate exams.
It was launched because of concern about a complex system that currently sees 6,500 qualifications taught in schools and colleges. The review follows concern that the exam system is too complex.
'Rigour' It heard concerns about the quality of GCSE students' abilities at reading, writing and maths.
The review's author Huw Evans said he wanted recommendations that would guarantee the "rigour" of qualifications and make sure they are recognised by employers and universities. The href="http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dcells/publications/121127reviewofqualificationsen.pdf" >report says some employers and universities do not think that a grade C at GCSE English, Welsh and maths is a reliable indicator of literacy and numeracy skills.
Spelling
It calls for new GCSEs in English language and first language Welsh that put more emphasis on the quality and accuracy of students' writing and on the core skills of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Its author, Huw Evans, former principal of Coleg Llandrillo, said he wanted to guarantee the "rigour" of qualifications and make sure they are recognised by employers and universities.
This is a significant day for education in Wales.This is a significant day for education in Wales.
The much-anticipated findings of this review are based upon a lengthy consultation, which sought the views of students, parents, teachers, experts and businesses across the country.The much-anticipated findings of this review are based upon a lengthy consultation, which sought the views of students, parents, teachers, experts and businesses across the country.
It's interesting that in a time of great change within the qualification system in England, the review board found that people here want to keep the recognised brands.It's interesting that in a time of great change within the qualification system in England, the review board found that people here want to keep the recognised brands.
So it recommends that GCSEs and A-levels should remain.So it recommends that GCSEs and A-levels should remain.
Will that herald a sigh of relief or cries of alarm that Wales is heading down a very different path to the one being developed across the border?Will that herald a sigh of relief or cries of alarm that Wales is heading down a very different path to the one being developed across the border?
But one recommendation likely to be unanimously welcomed is a greater focus upon literacy and numeracy.But one recommendation likely to be unanimously welcomed is a greater focus upon literacy and numeracy.
Pooling resources to create a single body to regulate, accredit and award exams in Wales is a significant step, particularly in light of this summers GCSE grading controversy.Pooling resources to create a single body to regulate, accredit and award exams in Wales is a significant step, particularly in light of this summers GCSE grading controversy.
It'll be very interesting to hear the Welsh government's official response early next year to the report.It'll be very interesting to hear the Welsh government's official response early next year to the report.
Mr Evans, a former college principal, said the proposals built on the established GCSE and A-level brands.
Some degree of "divergence" with England was unavoidable, he said.Some degree of "divergence" with England was unavoidable, he said.
'Rounded' education
GCSEs in core subjects at secondary schools in England are being replaced by a new English Baccalaureate which will be awarded on the basis of a single end-of-term exam. The first will be sat in 2017 with other subjects possibly added later.GCSEs in core subjects at secondary schools in England are being replaced by a new English Baccalaureate which will be awarded on the basis of a single end-of-term exam. The first will be sat in 2017 with other subjects possibly added later.
But Mr Evans said that "where appropriate" pupils in Wales should continue to do modular courses, picking up marks that count towards their final grades during the school year.But Mr Evans said that "where appropriate" pupils in Wales should continue to do modular courses, picking up marks that count towards their final grades during the school year.
The review, which makes 42 recommendations, proposes "building on and strengthening the Welsh Baccalaureate" to provide an "overarching framework" for 14 to 19-year-olds.
The Welsh Bacc was introduced in 2002 to give teenagers a more rounded education. As well as core subjects such as maths and languages, students can also do work experience and voluntary placements.The Welsh Bacc was introduced in 2002 to give teenagers a more rounded education. As well as core subjects such as maths and languages, students can also do work experience and voluntary placements.
Under the review's recommendations, 16-year-olds will be able to gain a national level Welsh Bacc if they obtain at least five GCSEs at grades A to C and the components of the baccalaureate. An advanced baccalaureate will continue to be available for A-level students. Under the review's recommendations, 16-year-olds will be able to gain a national level Welsh Bacc if they obtain at least five GCSEs at grades A to C and the components of the baccalaureate. An advanced Baccalaureate will continue to be available for A-level students.
Mr Evans said the review, which makes 42 recommendations, was "retaining and strengthening GCSEs and A-levels" while also "building and strengthening the Welsh Bacc as a framework qualification". A publicity campaign should be launched to raise the profile of Welsh qualifications, the review says, with a particular emphasis on promoting and explaining the revised Welsh Bacc.
A new body called Qualifications Wales would regulate, accredit and award qualifications. A new body called Qualifications Wales should be established at arms length from the Welsh government to regulate qualifications.
At present exams are regulated by the Welsh government's Education Minister Leighton Andrews. Although they would continue to set policy, ministers would lose responsibility for regulating the exams system.
He became embroiled in a row this summer when he ordered the WJEC board to re-grade GCSE English papers. The new organisation would eventually award most of the qualifications sat by teenagers in Wales.
Mr Andrews has previously described GCSEs as a "very strong brand" and said the UK government's decision to replace them in England was a "backwards step". Education Minister Leighton Andrews came under fire this summer when he ordered the WJEC board, which sets most of the GCSEs taken by Welsh pupils, to re-grade English exams. The minister said he acted after a report by his officials found the way grade boundaries were set was unfair.
He has previously described GCSEs as a "very strong brand" and said the UK government's decision to replace them in England was a "backwards step".
Deputy minister for skills Jeff Cuthbert said: "The purpose of this review was to ensure that the qualifications available to learners in Wales are relevant, valued and understood, and that those qualifications are what employers and universities want.
"An important part of this is making sure that qualifications available in Wales are recognised and valued not only in Wales, but also across the border and worldwide."