Embracing the opportunities of new National Qualifications
Cassy Taylor – Executive Director Qualifications Policy and Reform
Education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and in Wales, this foundation is undergoing a transformation. With the introduction of new National Qualifications, a fresh wave of exciting opportunities is on the horizon for both learners and educators.
A changing landscape
The Welsh educational landscape has been reshaped by the Curriculum for Wales, which gives schools the autonomy to deliver a broad and balanced teaching programme. National Qualifications support both the aims and expectations of the Curriculum, which all learners in Wales are now following in primary and secondary education.
This significant shift has necessitated a corresponding evolution in qualifications to ensure they are relevant, inclusive, and include a broader mix of assessment methods.
Within that there are some key cross-cutting elements that add to the content of traditional core subjects. Assessment methods also need to better reflect the teaching that learners are following to avoid any disconnect with the Curriculum’s aims and purposes.
Learner entitlement
Welsh Government has announced a new 14 to 16 learner entitlement, which outlines the curriculum that all learners in Years 10 and 11 should be entitled to.
This learner entitlement means that centres must organise their curriculum time and resources around four key components:
- qualifications in literacy and numeracy
- qualifications to encourage breadth
- reflections on learning and progress and post-16 planning
- wider learning and experiences across the curriculum
Shaping the offer
Qualification Wales’ decisions on the range and design of the National Qualifications have been influenced by three key principles:
- alignment with the Curriculum for Wales
- coherence and inclusion
- availability in Cymraeg and English
When considering the range, we were mindful to design qualifications that, where possible, would support the economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales. We must address the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
National Qualifications will be the main publicly funded 14-16 offer in Welsh schools and will consist of:
- VCSEs
- GCSEs
- Skills qualifications – including Skills for Life, Skills for Work and a Personal Project
- Foundation qualifications
National Qualifications are not just an evolution - they are a revolution in how education is represented and assessed. They will support the aims and purposes of the Curriculum and provide assessment opportunities at entry, level 1 and level 2. This supports our ambition of creating a coherent and inclusive offer.
Centres will be able to offer a bespoke combination of these qualifications to support learners in achieving their individual goals for life, learning and work. The accessibility, range and value of these qualifications will be an incentive for schools to offer them to learners, thereby offering more consistency for learners in Wales.
There are a number of key advantages to the new qualifications:
- a variety of assessment methods, catering to different learning styles and ensuring a fairer evaluation of students' abilities
- more practical, hands-on learning experiences - developing real-world skills that are valued by employers
- integration of literature and language into combined qualifications provides opportunities to open up new ways of thinking and a greater appreciation literature, and of the inventiveness of language
- making the best use of digital technology, preparing learners for the digital world and enhancing their employability
- value beyond our borders - ensuring that Welsh students are competitive on a global scale
Phased introduction
National Qualifications are being phased in over the next three years.
From September 2025 learners will be taught a raft of new made-for-Wales GCSEs, in subjects ranging from art and design to religious studies. A second set of GCSEs will have first teaching from September 2026, including new subjects such as dance and social studies.
Finally, in September 2027 we will see the first learners begin VCSE courses, alongside the new Skills Suite and Foundation qualifications.
The introduction of National Qualifications marks a significant milestone in Wales’ education reform journey. These qualifications are designed to be inclusive, coherent, and aligned with the Curriculum for Wales, ensuring that our learners are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the modern world.
We have been working closely with our stakeholders to develop the criteria that awarding bodies must meet when developing these qualifications. We will continue to engage widely and committed to involving others as the roll-out continues.
We invite you to embrace these exciting changes and explore the new opportunities they bring. Together, we can create an educational environment that is dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring for all learners.
Stay tuned for more updates and join us on this transformative journey towards a brighter future for Welsh education.