New GCSE Music qualification strikes a chord
Qualifications Manager, Sarah Watson, summarises the new GCSE in music, explaining the key changes that teachers and learners can expect to see in the new specification.
In September 2025, the new GCSE Music qualification, designed to align with the Curriculum for Wales, is sure to strike a chord with learners across Wales.
We worked with teachers to understand how the new GCSE could be designed to support the teaching and learning within the expressive arts area of learning and experience. They told us how vital it is to give learners the freedom to explore music they are passionate about, and to create opportunities to experience a more diverse range of music through content that is inspiring and inclusive for all learners.
What is changing in GCSE Music?
Freedom to choose set works which reflect individual school communities
From September 2025, schools will gain more freedom to choose set works that resonate with their learners as they teach learners to appreciate and appraise music. WJEC’s new GCSE Music qualification will celebrate music created by Welsh artists, including songs written in Cymraeg, alongside music from other cultural and historical contexts. This better reflects the diversity of school communities and the rich multiculturalism which is celebrated through music in Wales today.
Increased focus on non-exam assessment
We have increased the focus on non-examination tasks assessing the practical skills of performing and composing, while removing the need to perform in groups to make assessments more accessible for musicians using digital technology.
Learners will be able to develop skills for reflection and self-evaluation through a non-prescribed reflective log in the context of creating a composition. There will be no need to write about the performance piece.
Digital-only assessment
The new external examination will be on-screen, resulting in a more engaging and inclusive assessment. The on-screen exam will also enhance the validity of the assessment, ensuring we are assessing the right things in the right way.
Learners will be able to rewind and listen back as they need, providing an authentic way to engage with works and helping to level the playing field between less experienced musicians and those who have been developing their musical ear for longer.
Support for teachers
To help teachers prepare for the changes, WJEC has released a suite of bilingual digital resources for the new GCSE Music qualification.
Face-to-face and online professional learning opportunities have been delivered to support effective delivery of the new specification. You can catch up on the GCSE Music specification briefing here.