Introduction to the WJEC Certificates in Latin

Why WJEC Certificates? Modelled on English and English Literature: Two qualifications Two grades Two sets of league table point scores Same examining team as legacy GCSE Fully recognised by universities Free resources for language, civilisation and literature Extremely flexible Very close fit to the CLC

Background Drop-out rate from KS3 to KS4 is 76% Majority of students who study Latin receive no qualification Significant increase in number of schools offering Latin Number of students entering GCSE continues to fall Class sizes very low: departments at risk

Background Single Award GCSEs estimated at ‘Guided Learning Hours’ Survey indicates average time spent by schools on GCSE Latin is 272 hours –Comprehensive: 212 –Independent: 288 –Grammar: 290 Current Latin GCSE content takes double the time permitted for a Latin GCSE.

Possible models English: English Language and English Literature Science: Science, Additional Science, Phys/Chem/Biol Maths: Piloting of ‘linked pair’ Maths App GCSE:Single and Double Award MFL: Languages Ladder/Asset Languages

Solution Divide content into two qualifications, each expected to take hours contact time: Latin Language and Latin Literature. Students with 2 years may study language (with culture option); students with more time may also study literature. Culture alongside language rather than literature. Create flexibility and teacher choice through controlled assessment.

School responses Survey of all UK schools with Latin in Sept Response rate: 38% 79% of Headteachers (73% in independent schools, 89% in state schools) said they would either allow or encourage their Head of Latin to enter their students for the Level 2 examinations; 74% of Heads of Latin (64% in independent schools, 84% in state schools) said they would be likely to enter students for at least one of the exams.

Why not ‘GCSE’? QCDA accreditation timetable Latin GCSE subject criteria: –language content: 45% - 55% –literature/culture content: 45% - 55% –controlled assessment not permitted –Tiered (A* - D and C – G)

National Qualifications Framework Level 3A levels IB Pre-U Level 2GCSE grades A*-C Level 2 Certificates (IGCSEs) Pre-A Level 1GCSE grades D-G Level 1 Certificates (IGCSEs) Entry LevelEntry Level Certificates

WJEC Certificates in Latin Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation –Core Latin Language (67%) –Roman Civilisation (33%) Certificate in Latin Language –Core Latin Language (67%) –Additional Latin Language (33%) Certificate in Latin Literature –Themed Literature (50%) –Narrative Literature (50%) –Teacher’s selection (50%)

Material covered Level 1Level 2 Core Lang.CLC Bk IICLC Bk III Additional Lang. CLC Bk IICLC Bk V Roman Civilisation 2 topics Literature120 lines240 lines

WJEC Certificates in Latin Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation –Core Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk III) –Roman Civilisation (L1+L2: 2 topics) Certificate in Latin Language –Core Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk III) –Additional Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk V) Certificate in Latin Literature –Themed Literature (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines) –Narrative Literature (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines) –Teacher’s selection (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines)

Examining team Examination board: WJEC Subject officer: Alan Clague Chief Examiner (Lang.):Ashley Carter Chief Examiner (L2 Lit.):John Waller Chief Examiner (L1 Lit.): Jo Lashley Chief Examiner (Civ.): Meg Thorpe Subject support:CSCP

Council of University Classical Departments “The Council of University Classical Departments supports the development of Level 2 Certificates in Latin alternative to the current Latin GCSE. It expects that university Classical departments will treat those who have obtained A, B and C grades in Latin Language in these Level 2 certificates as they would treat those who have obtained the same grades in Latin GCSE.”

Cambridge Admissions Office Thank you for your . Your students would not be disadvantaged by earning two Level 2 Certificates in Latin Language and Latin Literature, rather than GCSEs. We can confirm that the A or A* grades in Latin Language and Latin Literature at Level 2 will be viewed in the same way as the same grades in two GCSEs. I asked one of the Chairs of the Medical Group at the University of Cambridge for their views and they advised that the Level 2 Certificates would indeed be viewed as the same as GCSEs and that provided they achieve the GCSE requirements for Medicine, there should not be an issue.

University reaction KCL (Medicine) I am pleased to advise that the admission tutors are happy to accept these as GCSE equivalents for Medicine and they would therefore be counted in the assessment process. KCL (Law) Please note that we accept a Level 2 WJEC certificate in Latin as it is equivalent to a GCSE in Latin. St. Andrews All departments at St. Andrews will accept the WJEC Level 2 Latin certificates. Edinburgh I can confirm that we treat Level 2 certificates as equivalent to GCSE, i.e. any of our entry requirements that specify GCSEs can be met with Level 2 certificates of equivalent grade. We would treat two Level 2 certificates as if they were two GCSEs, e.g. an applicant with six GCSEs and two Level 2 certificates would be looked at in the same way as an applicant with eight GCSEs.

University reaction Nottingham So as far as Nottingham is concerned, the switch should be fine. Bristol We are happy to accept 'level 2' certificates in place of GCSEs. Cambridge We can confirm that the A or A* grades at Level 2 will be viewed in the same way as the same grades in two GCSEs. Birmingham (Medicine) We will certainly accept the Level 2 qualifications in Latin offered by WJEC. The grade achieved will be considered to be exactly equivalent to a GCSE result.

Joint Association of Classical Teachers “The Joint Association of Classical Teachers welcomes the WJEC initiative in devising a viable alternative route to GCSE level, especially since it embodies considerable flexibility. With a significant increase in the number of schools showing an interest in Latin and beginning to offer it, this initiative is designed to encourage pupils to pursue the subject to Level 2 and beyond. These qualifications will create a range of options which will allow pupils to pursue their studies in areas appropriate to their aptitudes and interests, and with due regard to constraints created by available guided learning time.”

Delivery ideas Possible for schools to prepare candidates only for Certificate in Latin Literature. More commonly Years 1 and 2: language/language & civilisation work, culminating in Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation. Year 3 or Years 3 and 4: further language teaching and preparation for Certificate in Latin Literature.

Regulations Level 1 and 2 units may both be taken in the same series (within same timetable slot) But Level 1 and 2 cannot be aggregated One re-sit per unit/level (like GCSE) – better result to count Controlled Assessment set as option against Written Paper (i.e. cannot both be taken in same series) Rom Civ and Latin Lit Controlled Assessment may be completed in one academic year and retained for submission in the next (topics/titles must be approved)

WJEC Entry Systems 21 Feb (amendments by 21 March) for June series 21 Oct for January series Cash-in entry as well as unit entries needed in due course Fees – per unit (£12.78 in 2010)

Results Grades A* - C at both Level 1 and Level 2 But ‘Unclassified’ below C Unit results reported on results slip (lower case letter grades for units, upper case letter grades for certificates) And as UMS mark (/100 for Core Lang; /50 for other units)

WJEC Services Main website Will include past papers and Examiner Reports in due course Secure website Exam Officers can assign passwords for users Includes past papers and mark schemes Moderators’ Reports - feedback provided for Controlled Assessment

Contact Points General enquiries: Subject Officer: CSCP resources:

Support Materials (in 'Public Examinations' area)