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Frequently Asked Questions

Made for Wales: WJEC is ready to deliver

{"grandParentLink":null,"parentLink":{"linkText":"Qualifications in development","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/"},"currentLink":{"linkText":"Frequently Asked Questions","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/frequently-asked-questions/"},"childrenLinks":[{"linkText":"Made for Wales: WJEC is ready to deliver","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/"},{"linkText":"Developing a suite of Sustainability qualifications","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/developing-a-suite-of-sustainability-qualifications/"},{"linkText":"Reforming our level 3 qualifications","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/reforming-our-level-3-qualifications/"},{"linkText":"Developing a suite of semiconductor qualifications","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/developing-a-suite-of-semiconductor-qualifications/"}],"lowerChildrenLinks":[{"linkText":"Latest Updates","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/latest-updates/"},{"linkText":"Our role","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/our-role/"},{"linkText":"Qualification development process","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/qualification-development-process/"},{"linkText":"Qualification outlines and consultation summaries","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/qualification-outlines-and-consultation-summaries/"},{"linkText":"Get involved","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/get-involved/"},{"linkText":"Help shape the future of GCSE Mathematics and Numeracy (Double Award) assessments","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/help-shape-the-future-of-gcse-mathematics-and-numeracy-double-award-assessments/"},{"linkText":"Our Advisory Groups","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/our-advisory-groups/"},{"linkText":"Meet the team","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/meet-the-team/"},{"linkText":"Frequently Asked Questions","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/frequently-asked-questions/"},{"linkText":"Get in touch","url":"/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/get-in-touch/"}]}

Developing a suite of Sustainability qualifications

Reforming our level 3 qualifications

Developing a suite of semiconductor qualifications

Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs are regularly updated to ensure you have all the latest information.

Should you have any further queries, please email qualificationdevelopment@wjec.co.uk.

{"accordionHeading":"General queries","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"What is ‘Qualified for the future’?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"‘Qualified for the future’ was launched by Qualifications Wales in 2019, where they set out their vision for future qualifications for 14- to 16-year-olds. These reforms aimed to support Welsh Government’s ‘Curriculum for Wales’, which schools and colleges began delivering from September 2022.\nAs part of this review, a new suite of bilingual GCSEs will be designed, developed and delivered by WJEC for schools and colleges across Wales."},{"accordionTitle":"What is WJEC’s role in this project?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"WJEC will be responsible for designing, developing and delivering the new suite of GCSE qualifications based on the decisions made by Qualifications Wales.\nQualifications Wales has provided us with <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://qualifications.wales/regulation-reform/reforming/qualified-for-the-future/made-for-wales-gcses/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Made-for-Wales GCSE decisions\">qualification frameworks</a> which prescribe the content and assessments for each subject.\nOur teams will adopt a co-construct approach to qualification development, by engaging with stakeholders from across Wales and beyond. We will continue to work closely with Qualifications Wales, ensuring that our new qualifications meet their regulatory requirements. <a id=\"QFF-quals\"></a>"},{"accordionTitle":"When will the draft specifications be available?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Following a period of intense qualification development, we are pleased to announce that our draft specifications for the first wave of GCSEs and related qualifications <a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/draft-made-for-wales-specifications-now-available/\">are available</a>. These 16 draft specifications have been submitted to Qualifications Wales for approval and will be available to teach from September 2025."},{"accordionTitle":"How can I receive the latest information?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"To ensure you receive the latest updates, please <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/subscribe-for-updates/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe for updates\">subscribe to our mailing list</a> and follow us on social media - <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/glgnygmq/facebook-icon-transparent-background-3small.png\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"WJEC Facebook\">Facebook</a>, <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/odrjf51y/instagram-colour.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"WJEC Instagram\">Instagram</a>, <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/z0kh1ng0/linkedin_png32small.png\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"WJEC LinkedIn\">LinkedIn</a> and <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/0udbynbn/twitter_sq-512.png\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"WJEC Twitter\">Twitter</a>."}]}

{"accordionHeading":"Qualification Development","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"What qualifications are being reformed?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"As part of Qualifications Wales’ ‘Qualified for the future’ project, WJEC will be developing new Made-for-Wales GCSEs, alongside a small number of additional qualifications across three phases.\nWave 1: First teaching 2025\nNew GCSEs\n<ul>\n<li>Art and Design</li>\n<li>Business</li>\n<li>Computer Science</li>\n<li>Core Cymraeg</li>\n<li>Cymraeg Language and Literature (Double Award)</li>\n<li>Cymraeg Language and Literature (Single Award)</li>\n<li>Drama</li>\n<li>English Language and Literature (Double Award)</li>\n<li>English Language and Literature (Single Award)</li>\n<li>Food and Nutrition</li>\n<li>French</li>\n<li>Geography</li>\n<li>German</li>\n<li>History</li>\n<li>Mathematics and Numeracy (Double Award)</li>\n<li>Music</li>\n<li>Religious Studies</li>\n<li>Spanish</li>\n</ul>\nNon-GCSE qualification\n<ul>\n<li>Level 2 Additional Core Cymraeg</li>\n</ul>\nWave 2: First teaching 2026\nNew GCSEs\n<ul>\n<li>Dance</li>\n<li>Design and Technology</li>\n<li>Digital Media and Film</li>\n<li>Digital Technology (Updated GCSE)</li>\n<li>Health and Social Care, and Childcare</li>\n<li>Integrated Science (Single Award)</li>\n<li>Physical Education and Health</li>\n<li>Social Studies</li>\n<li>The Sciences (Double Award)</li>\n</ul>\nNon-GCSE qualification\n<ul>\n<li>Level 2 Additional Mathematics</li>\n</ul>\nWave 3: First teaching 2027\nGCSE\n<ul>\n<li>British Sign Language</li>\n</ul>"},{"accordionTitle":"How will these qualifications be developed?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Qualification development will be led by WJEC’s Qualification Development Team. Throughout this process, we will work closely with a range of stakeholders to co-construct a suite of new qualifications that are inclusive, engaging, and support the curriculum.\nOpen dialogue, feedback, and discussion will inform every step of the qualification development process.\nWe will seek a broad range of views and opinions to ensure that our new suite of qualifications equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need for further education, training and employment."},{"accordionTitle":"How can I get involved in the development process?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"We will be consulting on our proposals in due course which give an opportunity to capture a broad range of views and opinions to ensure that our new suite of qualifications equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need for further education, training and employment.\nTo further support our qualification development, we will establish a series of advisory groups which will feature a wide representation of stakeholders from across the education sector, with a complementary range of experience and knowledge.\nTo get involved in the development process, please visit our <a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/qualified-for-the-future-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/get-involved-join-our-advisory-group/\">Advisory Groups page</a> and find out all you need to know to have your say and help shape this new suite of qualifications."},{"accordionTitle":"When will these qualifications be available to teach?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"These new qualifications will be available to schools and colleges in Wales across three phases, the first group will be available for teaching from September 2025, the second for teaching from September 2026 and the third from September 2027."},{"accordionTitle":"What Advisory Groups have been established to support the development of these new qualifications?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"We are committed to adopting a co-construction approach to the development of our qualifications, therefore, considering the views and opinions of a broad range of stakeholders is an integral part of this process. To support this approach, we have established the following advisory groups: Learner Advisory Group, Overall Stakeholder Advisory Group, Qualification Development Advisory Group (QDAG) and Headteacher Advisory Group.\nFurther information on these groups is available <a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/qualifications-in-development/made-for-wales-wjec-is-ready-to-deliver/our-advisory-groups/\" title=\"Advisory Groups\" data-anchor=\"#\">here</a>."},{"accordionTitle":"Where can I access the qualification outlines?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Following an extensive consultation process, we published our final qualification outlines in January 2024. Outlines and a summary report, outlining the steps we took, based on the consultation feedback are available for the first wave of qualifications which will be delivered by centres from September 2025. To access the outlines, please visit the following webpage <a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/made-for-wales-qualification-outlines-and-consultation-report-now-available/\">here</a>."}]}

{"accordionHeading":"The Full 14-16 Offer","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"What qualifications are available as part of the Full 14-16 Offer?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Qualifications Wales has launched the new Full 14-16 Offer which will be in place by September 2027. The Full 14-16 Offer qualifications includes a range of new qualifications including: Made-for-Wales GCSEs, VCSEs, Foundation Qualifications or a Skills Suite.\nFurther information on these qualifications is available via Qualifications Wales’ website <a href=\"https://qualifications.wales/regulation-reform/reforming/qualified-for-the-future/made-for-wales-gcses/\">here</a>."},{"accordionTitle":"What is the difference between GCSEs and VCSEs?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Alongside the new WJEC Made-for-Wales GCSEs, Qualifications Wales has also launched a new suite of qualifications named the Vocational Certificate of Secondary Education (VCSE). These qualifications will be introduced from September 2027 and will adopt a more practical approach to learning and assessment. Further information on these is available via Qualifications Wales’ website <a href=\"https://qualifications.wales/regulation-reform/reforming/qualified-for-the-future/the-full-14-16-offer/\">here</a>."}]}

{"accordionHeading":"Supporting you in the delivery of the new qualifications","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"What Professional Learning opportunities will be available for the new Made-for-Wales qualifications?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"In support of our new suite of Made-for-Wales GCSEs and related qualifications, we are pleased to announce <a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/professional-learning/made-for-wales-gcses-professional-learning/\">our new schedule of free, professional learning opportunities</a>. These nationwide courses will be delivered by our Subject Advisers for the first raft of qualifications, where teaching will begin from September 2025."},{"accordionTitle":"What digital resources will be available for the new Made-for-Wales qualifications?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"To support our centres in the delivery of our new Made-for-Wales qualifications, we are pleased to confirm that our Digital Resources Team will produce a package of FREE bilingual resources for each subject. This will initially feature 130 packages , which consist of blended learning resources and knowledge organisers for the first group of qualifications which will be taught from September 2025.\nIn addition to our new package of resources, our existing suite of free digital resources are also available, which covers a range of subjects and topics which remain part of the new suite of Made-for-Wales qualifications.\nOur Digital Resources Team will be working at pace to produce these new support materials. These will be published in phases beginning from late Autum 2024, and the full suite of bilingual resources will be available by June 2025.\n<a href=\"https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/supporting-our-made-for-wales-qualifications-with-free-tailored-resources/\">> Find out more</a>"}]}

{"accordionHeading":"Non-examination assessment","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"What support will WJEC provide in the delivery of this additional Non-examination assessment (NEA)?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"As with all our qualifications, we will offer a comprehensive package of support including direct access to subject specialists, free professional learning to assist in the preparation and delivery of these qualifications and a raft of free digital resources. We will also offer advice and guidance in the delivery and marking of NEA, to assist teacher/lecturers in their assessments, alongside moderation to ensure standards are maintained.\nWe will ensure manageability, within the parameters of the Approval Criteria, which we have been discussing with stakeholders and will continue to do so as we develop the detail of the qualifications."},{"accordionTitle":"Why is there additional Non-examination assessment (NEA) for these new qualifications?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"The proportion of NEA for each subject was determined by our regulator, Qualifications Wales, this decision was not made by us.\nQualifications Wales considered the proportion of non-examination assessment and its marking during their process of developing the Approval Criteria, and their final decisions are reflected in their published Approval Criteria which we must adhere to."}]}

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