猫咪社区

Richard Harry our Director of Qualifications, Assessment and Responsible Officer, is leading the charge on the development of a brand-new suite of GCSE and related qualifications, following the publication of Qualifications Wales鈥� consultation findings. Here, he looks at how we are engaging with stakeholders, learners and teachers, as well as the next steps in the development process.

鈥淭he past few months have been a very exciting time for us as we begin the work of creating a new suite of bilingual GCSEs and related qualifications as part of Qualifications Wales鈥� 鈥楺ualified for the Future鈥� project.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been heavily involved and played an active part in the entire consultation process and now we are leading on the development of these new qualifications. As we embark on this transformative journey, we remain committed to active listening, continuous reflection, and responding to valuable feedback. It鈥檚 our goal to develop qualifications that are inclusive, engaging, support the curriculum, and that are truly fit for the future.

鈥淚n terms of next steps, the development phase is well underway. We鈥檙e currently working closely with our subject development advisory groups as part of a consultation on the qualification outlines, which is taking place this Autumn, before the qualification outlines themselves are published early next year.

鈥淭hroughout his whole process we remain passionate about taking the co-construction ethos forward. The Curriculum for Wales was co-constructed, and so were the decisions around how the qualifications should look from a regulatory perspective. Now, we鈥檙e co-constructing the qualifications themselves.

鈥淐ollaboration really is the key word here, and we鈥檙e working to create qualifications that the entire education sector can stand behind, learning from any lessons in the past and creating qualifications that embody the shared values and aspirations of the entire sector.

鈥淔rom the moment Qualification Wales鈥� consultation findings were published, we set out to engage with a cross section of stakeholders, from the general workforce, right through to education communities. We鈥檝e now recruited qualification writers, qualification reviewers and members for our subject level development advisory groups, and we鈥檒l be taking the views and feedback of learners into account via our Learner Advisory Group too.

鈥淥f course, the growth and development of learners is a key consideration for us. As a learner-focused organisation, we鈥檙e really pleased to see a broader range of GCSEs than we鈥檝e had previously, and I鈥檓 confident that new subjects such as Social Studies, Dance and British Sign Language will empower learners with a more comprehensive and holistic education.

鈥淭he intention of the new curriculum is to enhance the learning and experience of the learners, right through their schooling. It鈥檚 the role of the qualification to support that, so by offering a wider range of subjects, we鈥檙e enabling learners to follow their passions, interests and to progress.

鈥淚n terms of assessment methods, and in line with Qualifications Wales鈥� consultation findings, we鈥檒l be increasing the volume of non-exam assessment. The aim is to ensure that our assessments are more engaging for learners. We鈥檙e working closely with learners and teachers at this early stage to ensure that the increase in non-exam assessment is as manageable as possible, both in terms of learners' well-being and teacher workload. We value their input and feedback as it will be instrumental in shaping the qualification outlines and what we ultimately deliver.聽

鈥淎s well as supporting learners, it is also vital that we support teachers in the delivery of the new qualifications. We鈥檙e already engaging with them on the increase in non-exam assessment, and we鈥檙e focused on putting together a comprehensive programme of professional learning, to ensure that every teacher has access to tools that bolster their confidence in delivering high-quality education.聽聽

鈥淲e will continue to deliver a range of supporting resources and, as part of the development process of this new suite of qualifications, we will be looking closely at what additional resources we can implement to help provide the best possible support for both teachers and learners.

鈥淎cross Curriculum for Wales, sustainability, diversity, inclusion and belonging are cross-cutting themes, and are core considerations that we鈥檒l be building into each and every qualification. We鈥檙e already actively engaging with diversity experts and programmes such as Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning (DARPL) and are committed to ensuring that our qualifications are designed to be inclusive and representative of all learners.

鈥淏y actively involving educators, learners, and stakeholders in the design process, we aim to ensure that these qualifications align with the ever-evolving needs of our diverse and dynamic society, and we are very much looking forward to continuing this journey.鈥�

To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new GCSEs and related qualifications, visit our聽鈥楺ualified for the future: 猫咪社区 is ready鈥�聽web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who will lead the creation of the new GCSEs.