Welsh Government won't be rushed into GCSE changes

The Welsh Government says any decision on the future of GCSEs here in Wales 'cannot be rushed' and must be based on the findings of a review into the exam system. An announcement is due later on UK Government plans to replace GCSEs in England with an O-level style exam.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

As always, our priority will be to ensure that the best interests of our learners are the focus of any decisions that we take.

In Wales we will be taking an evidence based approach through our Review of 14-19 Qualifications. This is a decision that cannot be rushed and Welsh Ministers are committed to not making significant changes to GCSEs until after the outcomes of the Review are known.

The Review Board are due to publish their findings at the end of November.

We await a formal announcement from the UK Government and will respond in due course.

The two governments are already at odds over the exam system after the Welsh Government ordered this year's English Language to be regraded, a move described by the UK Education Secretary Michael Gove as 'irresponsible.'

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GCSE regrade row

The Welsh Government was warned that regrading GCSE exams in English would 'seriously damage' the integrity of the qualification. The comments were made by the WJEC exam board in emails released by the Welsh Government.