Clarity on 2021 exam replacement system in Wales
Education Minister Kirsty Williams has provided further details of how the system put in place to replace examinations for general qualifications in 2021 will work.
The Design and Delivery Advisory group that supports ‘wellbeing, fairness and progression’ for learners in 2021 has now presented its proposals to the Minister after working closely with both Qualifications Wales and WJEC.
The group agreed that the system needed to be fair for all learners and flexible so that learners who have had more disruption than others are not unfairly affected.
The approach will ensure that teachers can design and plan teaching, learning around assessments in a flexible way to promote learners’ wellbeing and support their needs.
The Minister has confirmed her intention is for general qualifications in Wales to be supported by a three pillar approach made up of: non-examination assessments; internal assessments; and assessments that are externally set and marked.
The decision has been supported by the news that the Welsh Government is investing an additional £1.9 million in education resources to support learners in years 12 and 13 in preparing for their A Level assessments.
The revision tools, available on the WJEC website, include ‘knowledge organisers’ to help with learning key facts and information, exam walk-throughs and revision guides.
The resources are in addition to £7 million being provided for schools and colleges to deliver mentoring and revision support programmes for learners in exam years.
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