Reflections on performance standards in the journey back to pre-pandemic arrangements

In Wales, as in many countries, the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on teaching, learning and attendance in schools and colleges. This disruption resulted in a subsequent impact on learner performance in qualifications in the years that followed.   

In the years following the pandemic, alternative arrangements and grading policies were implemented to support learners in a gradual transition back to the usual arrangements. The 2023-2024 academic year represented the final step on the Welsh qualification system’s journey back to pre-pandemic arrangements in qualifications. 

Between summer 2022 and summer 2024, WJEC adapted assessment requirements and adjusted grade boundaries, to support learners and account for the disruption and loss of learning. Awarding bodies also took similar approaches for qualifications taken alongside GCSE and A levels which are used for similar progression routes. 

By summer 2024, there was evidence of learners' performance recovering. In many subjects, grade boundaries were closer to what they were before the pandemic. However, the rate of recovery was inconsistent across different grade ranges.    

For more information, you can read the full report: Reflections on performance standards in the journey back to pre-pandemic arrangements