On 29 September 2011, the Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, launched a review of the qualifications on offer in Wales. The Review of Qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds in Wales aimed to ensure that we have qualifications that are understood and valued and meet the needs of our young people and the Welsh economy The Review Board delivered its final report and recommendations to the Deputy Minister for Skills on 28 November 2012.

On 29 January 2013, the Deputy Minister announced that the Welsh Government broadly accepted all of the Review’s recommendations. In accepting these, the Welsh Government is setting a clear strategic direction and vision for qualifications for 14- to 19-year olds in Wales. February 2013 – 2017: timeline established to implement changes in each key area.

Qualifications Wales will be set up as an independent body to regulate and quality assure qualifications in Wales. In time Qualifications Wales will award most GCSE’s, A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Introduction a revised and more rigorous Welsh Baccalaureate qualification that is universally adopted. Revised GCSE’s in English and Mathematics to be introduced for teaching from September The current AS/A2 structure to be retained with January assessments abolished after January Resits to be limited to one per module. Vocational Qualifications to be classified as Initial Vocational Education and Training (IVET’s) or Continuing Vocational Education and training (CVET’s).

New GCSE in English Language to provide greater assurance of literacy which will focus on the skills needed in everyday lives. Revised GCSE in English Literature. TWO new Maths GCSE’s to be introduced: i) Numeracy: this will focus on the maths needed for everyday life. ii) Mathematics: this will focus on the aspects and techniques required for progression to scientific, technical or further study.

NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION: The New Welsh Baccalaureate is based on a Skills Challenge Certificate alongside Supporting Qualifications. It will focus on literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, planning, organization, creativity, innovation and personal effectiveness. The requirements of both the Skills Challenge Certificate and Supporting Qualifications must be met in order to achieve the overarching Welsh Baccalaureate.

NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION: The Skills Challenge Certificate will be made up of the following components: Individual Project: 50% Enterprise and Employability Challenge: 20% Global Citizenship Challenge: 15% Community Challenge: 15% Each component of the skills challenge certificate will be awarded a summative grade: Level 1 Pass; Level 2 pass; Level 2 Merit; Level 2 Distinction.

NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION: The outcomes from each component will determine an overall grade for the Skills Challenge Certificate:  A*-C at National Level or  Foundation Pass or Foundation Pass* at Foundation level. To achieve the overarching National Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve the National Skills Challenge Certificate (A*-C) together with the following supporting qualifications: English Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of 2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-C level.

NEW WELSH BACCALAUREATE QUALIFICATION: To achieve the overarching Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve either the National or Foundation Skills Challenge certificate together with the following supporting qualifications: English Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of 2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-G level.

High Level Model

“Educational qualifications matter as evidence of attainment and in terms of setting young people on the road to delivering their potential. This is a serious business, and thank goodness Wales is taking it seriously.” VICE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR SIR LESEK BORYSIEWICZ – UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. “I think it’s important for students to recognise that when they go to university, we’re going to be expecting students to be independent thinkers, highly motivated for the subjects that they’re planning to study, and also be prepared to be flexible, and I think the new qualifications reform in Wales will develop students in that direction.” MIKE NICHOLSON – DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS – UNIVERSITY OF BATH

“Many people are worried about Wales going it alone on qualifications and having different qualifications from England; this doesn’t worry Universities at all. We accept qualifications from many different countries.” VICE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR JOHN HUGHES – BANGOR UNIVERSITY “I believe the changes put forward by the Welsh Government will give Welsh students a solid foundation to undertake further studies. The new reshaped and more robust Welsh Baccalaureate will also provide an all-encompassing approach to students which will be attractive to educational establishments and employers alike.” VICE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR STEVE WEST – UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND

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“At Principality, we know that our strength lies in our people and the service they give and that’s why any focus on employability and skills for young people will be welcomed by us. Introducing the Welsh Bacc as the overarching framework at years and grading will mean that it becomes of even greater value to employers in Wales and beyond.” PRINCIPALITY’S GROUP HR DIRECTOR – SUE LANE “Every small business is different and every small business is looking for something slightly different, however there are some general things that businesses are looking for, certainly good basic skills, and good literacy, good numeracy.” FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES WALES – JANET JONES

“It is vitally important that young people can see the relevance of their studies to their long term career goals. The focus of these new qualifications means that their core learning is strengthened but there is also a greater attractiveness for future employers.” HEAD OF EARLY CAREERS PROGRAMME FOR AIRBUS – GARY GRIFFITHS “Numeracy is more important than ever in today’s corporate world and the reform to the maths curriculum will equip our young people with the skills they need to meet the challenges they will come across in the modern workplace.” THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS – DIRECTOR FOR WALES ROBERT LLOYD GRIFFITH

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Therefore in response to the changes to the curriculum in Wales the curriculum starting September 2015 will need to have the following core components:  Mathematics x 2 GCSE’s  English x 2 GCSE’s  Science x 2 GCSE’s  Welsh Baccalaureate (1 GCSE)  Religious Studies (Short Course)  Welsh (Short Course)  Physical Education  PSE Option subjects will make up the remainder of the curriculum.

Following a lengthy and comprehensive review of the curriculum at Whitchurch High School and close analysis of the new Mathematics, English and Welsh Baccalaureate specifications the school governors have confirmed that the curriculum structure at Whitchurch as of September 2015 will be as follows: CORE CURRICULUM: Mathematics – 8 Hours/fortnight English – 8 Hours/fortnight Science – 9 hours/fortnight Welsh Baccalaureate and PSE – 4 hours/fortnight Religious Education short course – 2 hours/fortnight Welsh Short Course – 2 hours/fortnight PE – 2 hours per fortnight OPTION SUBJECTS – 15 hours per fortnight = 3 subjects

TRIPLE SCIENCE: To follow Triple Science pupils will need to select it as one of their option subjects – this will give them 14 Science lessons in total. Separate GCSE awards in Biology, Chemistry & Physics at end of Y11. Six examinations in Year 10 – (B1, B2, C1,C2, P1, P2). Three examinations in Year 11 – (B3, C3, P3) Controlled Assessment in year 11 in each Science. Suitable only for potential A Level Scientists

CORE and ADDITIONAL SCIENCE: YEAR 10: – 9 hours per fortnight – Study Biology (B1), Chemistry (C1) & Physics (P1). – WJEC – Controlled Assessments – Three examinations in Year 10 (June 2016). – Science GCSE awarded in Year 10. YEAR 11: – A new course – Additional Science. – New work in the three sciences. – New Controlled assessments – Three exams June 2016 (B2, C2, P2). – Separate GCSE award in Additional Science. BTEC SCIENCE:

APPLIED SCIENCE: BTEC level 2 Vocational course. 9 hours per fortnight. Two year course. 75% Portfolio based – class based work. 25% External Exam Not suitable for potential A Level Scientists.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS: 5 CURRICULUM AREAS Humanities Languages Technological Creative Aesthetic Vocational

VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS:  Applied Science  Tourism - Level 1 & 2  Digital Literacy - Level 1 & 2  Public Services – Level 1 & 2  Sport – Level 1 & 2  Certificate of Personal Effectiveness Level - 1 & 2 Level 1 is equivalent to D-G grade GCSE Level 2 is equivalent to A*-C grade GCSE

OPTION TALK: NOVEMBER LEARNING PATHWAYS DAYS: 25 TH & 26 TH NOVEMBER TALKS TO FORM GROUPS: JANUARY 2015 NEW SUBJECT OPTION TALKS: JAN 2015 FREE CHOICE: 19 TH -23 RD JANUARY PARENTS EVENINGS: 3 RD & 4 TH FEBRUARY OPTION BOOKLET/SCHOOL WEBSITE: 9 TH JANUARY

CAREERS ADVICE: CAREERS WALES WEBSITE INDIVIDUAL PUPIL INTERVIEWS: 9 TH FEBRUARY OPTIONS OPEN EVENING IN UPPER SCHOOL: 12 TH FEBRUARY OPTION FORMS SUBMITTED: 27 TH FEBRUARY INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PATHWAY PLAN TO HELP GUIDE PUPILS THROUGH EACH STAGE OF THE PROCESS

“I feel that the Learning pathway plan has useful aspects, overall it helps you to stay on track to achieve your targets.” Year 10 “The Individual learning pathway plan looks really good – gets you thinking about possible jobs early on.” Year 12