A busy summer of National 14-16 Qualification approvals
Head of Approval and Designation, Alexis de Vere, takes you behind-the-scenes as Qualifications Wales gives the green light on reformed GCSEs.
This summer has been a whirlwind of activity for the regulatory team at Qualifications Wales as we worked to approve the Wave 1 GCSEs developed by WJEC. Our goal is, as with all qualifications, to ensure these reformed GCSEs meet our rigorous standards and requirements, as set out in the subject-specific approval criteria (the conditions an awarding body needs to meet for their qualification to be approved).
The approval journey
The journey begins with us reviewing the draft specifications, sample assessment materials (SAMs), and non-exam assessment (NEA) tasks.
This review is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire approval process.
What we check
When we review specifications, SAMs and NEA tasks, we check for several key elements.
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Alignment with subject-specific approval criteria: Ensuring the submission complies with the subjects-specific regulatory requirements, including those relating to subject aims, content and assessment.
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Compliance with regulatory requirements: Ensuring all materials comply with the requirements as set out in our ‘rule book’, the Standard Conditions of Recognition.
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Clarity and accessibility: Reviewing the language and structure in all documents.
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Fairness and inclusivity: Consideration of whether the assessments cater to a diverse range of learners.
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Validity and reliability: Checking that the assessments accurately measure what they are intended to and will support consistent results.
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Manageability: Assessing whether both the content and assessments are feasible for both teachers and learners.
What we don’t check
While our approval process is comprehensive, there are certain aspects we do not cover.
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Quality assurance of submitted materials: We do not conduct a quality assurance exercise of the materials submitted. Our focus is on ensuring compliance with the criteria and standards. The awarding body is responsible for quality assuring all documentation prior to publication in both English and Welsh.
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Implementation support: While we consider manageability and the potential support required to deliver the qualifications, it’s important to note that we do not directly support their implementation in schools or other educational institutions.
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Teacher training/CPD: We do not offer training or professional development for teachers on how to deliver the new qualifications.
Providing feedback and revisions
Once we complete our review of the specifications, SAMs and NEA tasks, we provide detailed feedback to the awarding body (in this case, WJEC) on any areas of non-compliance. This feedback is essential for guiding the necessary revisions.
The awarding body then submits amended drafts, which we review again to ensure all issues have been addressed satisfactorily.
It’s a collective effort aimed at achieving compliance and ensuring fairness for all learners in Wales.
Granting approval
After thorough reviews and revisions, once we were satisfied that the qualification is fully compliant, we grant approval. This marks the culmination of a detailed and collaborative process.
It’s been a busy but rewarding time, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to date to ensure these exciting, new GCSEs meet our regulatory requirements.
Specifications for Wave 1 GCSEs