Welsh Education Minister – concerns on methodology were raised with Ofqual

The Welsh Government has issued the following statement:

Leighton Andrews, the Welsh Government Education and Skills Minister, this morning 

visited Cynffig Comprehensive School to celebrate GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate 

Qualification results with pupils and staff. 

Following concerns raised by the profession from across the UK this morning, relating to 

Ofqual and English Language results in particular, the Minister has sought to clarify the 

position in Wales.

Education and Skills Minister, Leighton Andrews said:

“We care about high standards in Wales. We have not approved the new combined GCSE 

English now taken in many schools in England, which has a reduced coverage of aspects of 

English Language as set out in the programme of study for English at Key Stage 4.  We 

believe it is important that learners follow the fuller programme of language learning that 

is covered by GCSE English Language. What is clear now is that we are no longer comparing 

like with like when looking at results in Wales and England.

“We had concerns about the methodology being used by Ofqual in relation to English 

Language GCSE, and my officials raised these with Ofqual two weeks ago. There 

will be further meetings with Ofqual on this in the autumn. 

“In relation to English Language, a majority of WJEC English GCSE candidates are based 

in England, so there was no option but to agree a compromise with Ofqual in relation to 

the WJEC English Language GCSE sat on both sides of the border. 

“Last month the Northern Ireland Education Minister and I met and then wrote to Michael 

Gove because of our concerns at his unilateral statements and actions on GCSEs and A Levels.

It is clear that we now need to consider whether our own system can be in hock to 

"Gove-it-alone" policies.

“These issues will be considered in relation to our current review of qualifications. We have 

already reviewed the work of the WJEC and I will give further consideration this autumn 

as to whether the WJEC should continue in its present form, or whether we should move 

in the direction of Scotland or Northern Ireland.”