Plans for major changes to GCSEs in Wales have gone out to consultation. If agreed there would be less emphasis on traditional exams and more emphasis on digital and technology skills.
Exam regulator Qualifications Wales said it has created a plan to "offer something for everyone. Whatever their interests". Under the plans, first raised last year, there would also be fewer GCSE exams for maths and languages and and no separate English and Welsh literature and language papers.
Plans to streamline science exams into one paper met criticism that it was dumbing down, when the proposals were first made last year.
Read more: Wales will grade next summer's GCSEs and A-levels more generously than England
Proposed new GCSE qualifications
- Combining three sciences to one for biology, chemistry and physics
- Merging Welsh literature and language
- Merging English literature and language
- Combining the current two maths numeracy and mathematics into one
There would be more "more effective use of digital assessment" and schools would be given more flexibility to assess pupils' attainment for results. The aim is to give schools more freedom to choose which areas to cover and how to assess their pupils at GCSE, the regulator said.
For the new English language and literature, and Cymraeg language and literature GCSEs, the plan is for 60% to be assessed by exams compared to 80% at the moment. A quarter of the sciences GCSE will be practical work, but the new maths GCSE will still be 100% exam-based.
The changes are being suggested to bring new GCSE qualifications are in line with requirements of the Curriculum for Wales, which began rolling out this term, said regulator Qualifications Wales.
Planning the proposed changes the regulator said it had taken views from more than 1,400 pupils across Wales to ask what the want from qualifications. The regulator is now seeking views in a public consultation on the content of GCSE qualifications and how learners will be assessed for results.
The regulator Qualifications Wales said the new made in Wales GCSEs and related qualifications would give pupils more opportunities to show their skills, knowledge with "flexible content and assessments to help schools design their own curricula and meet needs of their learners". There would be "a balanced mix of assessment methods, with less emphasis on exams and more opportunities for learners to be assessed during their course of study."
Views are also being sought on the content and assessment for brand new GCSEs in film and digital media, social studies, engineering and dance.
Sarah Parry, headteacher of Llanishen High in Cardiff, said she supports the proposed changes: "Our year seven students are all now being taught both core and foundation subjects that integrate with the aims of the new Curriculum for Wales. The qualifications that those learners achieve at the end of their formal education have to match the expectations of the curriculum."
Emyr George, director of qualifications and policy reform at Qualifications Wales, said: " We want young people and schools to be able to choose from a range of bilingual qualifications which offer something for everyone. Whatever their interests and wherever they want to go next, there will be a qualification that appeals.
"We have worked closely with wider range of sector experts, including teachers and academics to re-imagine what future GCSEs should look like in terms of their design, content and assessment. Now we want to hear from as many people as possible about what they think of the proposals."
Education Minister Jeremy Miles said: "Qualifications taken by learners at 14-16 need to be reformed to ensure they are fit for purpose to meet the future needs of our learners, supporting their progression and employment and so that they align with the ambition and ethos of Curriculum for Wales."
Qualifications Wales is now seeking views on the content and assessment for of 26 GCSE. The consultation can be responded to here.
Read next:
- What teachers in Wales make of the controversial changes set to completely change how and what pupils learn
- The full list of secondary schools starting Wales’ new curriculum this term
- The teacher who started his own school but won't be teaching the new curriculum
- The biggest problems in Wales' schools right now according to the nation's education watchdog
- The huge changes to how schools will teach in Wales this term
