Summer 2022 – getting exam ready

As we look forward to the Easter break, I’m sure that our collective focus continues to be about planning and preparing for this summer’s exams.

For many learners, this will be the first time they’ve ever taken an external assessment, and whilst this may feel like a daunting prospect for some, I would like to reassure you that we’ve put in place a package of measures to account for lost teaching and learning time, and that this year’s exams will be balanced and fair.

As you know, we’ve made a range of adaptations to our qualifications. These were shared with schools and colleges last July so that they could plan their teaching as early as possible.

Adaptations vary from subject to subject, but have included reduced assessment content, reduced NEA requirements, and optional questions for some qualifications. For other subjects, where we couldn’t make significant changes, we’ve shared Advance Information as another way to help learners to focus their revision.

We’ve also expanded our provision of teaching and learning resources, which includes more than 3,000 new Blended Learning Modules, Knowledge Organisers, Bridging Resources and Exam Walk Throughs. All of which have been designed specifically to both support the delivery of our qualifications, and to help learners with their revision. This is in addition to the wealth of existing resources we already offer, all of which can be accessed for free via our Digital Resources Website.

It’s important that the education community works together to support learners, which is why we’re proud to be sharing our expertise with a range of partners including the Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales, and Careers Wales on our joint ‘Power Up’ campaign.

Throughout the campaign, which launched in March, learners will be able to access a range of handy resources and materials to help them through their exams, and to prepare them for the next steps in their lives. The Power Up content hub can be accessed here, and I encourage you to share this with your colleagues and networks.

Building on our commitment to collaboration, and forging new relationships, it’s been great to meet key representatives from the business and higher education communities recently.

This kind of engagement, and plenty of discussion and dialogue, really does help to inform our qualifications and the way we operate.

Looking to the future, we have made significant progress in the development of the new Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification. I would like to personally thank all of you, who took the time to engage in our feedback workshops. Following extensive development work, I am pleased to announce that we have now submitted our first draft to Qualifications Wales and look forward to sharing updates with you over the coming months.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish you all the best for the summer term.