Written question WQ84708
- Asked by
- Russell GeorgeConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What plans does the Welsh Government have to provide A-level students with advance information under exam boards such as WJEC in line with that announced by the OCR exam board to ensure that students across Wales are fairly prepared and supported?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Advance information for learners was published by WJEC on 7 February. A number of adaptations have also been made by WJEC to A-level exams. Adaptations have been made to subject specifications to reduce assessment content to reflect disruption to teaching and learning as well as relaxing non-examination assessment conditions. Together, these are intended to help reduce the amount of content that teachers and lecturers need to cover ahead of the exams and should help learners to focus in their preparations.
In many instances these adaptations are not only comparable to, but go further than, those made in other parts of the UK - for example the removal of whole units of assessment or optionality in units that are taken. This will ensure that learners in Wales are not disadvantaged compared to their peers, when moving onto their next steps in education, training or employment.
Given the three country nature of GCSEs and A levels and the competition for university places across the UK, Qualifications Wales has also been working very closely with the other UK regulators and my officials are in close contact with their counterparts – this is crucial in ensuring learners in Wales are not disadvantaged compared to learners from elsewhere in the UK.