Minutes:
Context:
We received a presentation by Mr. E. Price, Principal Challenge Adviser for the Education Achievement Service (EAS) regarding the new qualifications at Key Stage 4 from the summer of 2017.
Key Issues:
From 2017, there will be no one main measure to be focused on at school level. Instead, a suite of measures will be considered. These will include:
· Level 2 inclusive (Welsh Baccalaureate Foundation and National measures from 2018)
· Level 2 threshold (2017 only).
· Level 1 threshold (2017 only).
· Capped Points Score (the revised, ‘Capped 9’ measure from 2017).
The changes to performance measures are in line with recommendations contained within Successful Futures and will have the positive effect of widening curriculum choice.
All updates will be posted on the Welsh Government website.
2016
· Change to Year 11 based cohort from existing 15 year old based cohort.
· Maximum of two GCSE equivalence value applied to any individual non- GCSE qualification in all performance measure calculations.
2017
· Core Subject Indicator no longer required.
· Changes to the Capped Points Score.
· Only the new reformed qualifications for English / Welsh, mathematics count towards these subject specific requirements of measures (literature qualifications no longer count).
· Maximum of two GCSE equivalence for the total contribution value of non - GCSE qualifications in the threshold measures.
· Essential Skills Wales and Wider Key Skills no longer hold a contribution value in Key Stage 4 measures and are approved for post – 16 delivery only.
· Qualifications of 60 up to 119 (inclusive) guided learning hours allocated a 0.5 GCSE equivalence.
· Reformed Welsh Baccalaureate qualification awarded for the first time.
2018
· Welsh Baccalaureate measures replace threshold measures.
· For science, only GCSE qualifications count towards subject specific requirements of the Capped Points Score; non-GCSE science qualifications no longer count towards science components but can count towards a learner’s ‘other 4’ best qualifications.
No single measure is emphasised at school level. The Capped Points Score will hold similar status to the Level 2 inclusive and the Welsh Baccalaureate measures. A suite of measures should be used to consider schools performance from different angles. Which measures to use will depend on the particular questions being asked.
Summary of changes – 2017
· Any non-GCSE Level 1 or Level 2 qualification will be worth a maximum of two GCSEs. Current qualifications can continue to be taken but performance value capped at equivalent of two GCSEs.
· The Core Subject Indicator will no longer be published as a performance measure.
· The following new GCSEs will be used as the literacy and numeracy elements of the Level 2 Inclusive measure:
- English Language / Welsh Language.
- Mathematics or Mathematics Numeracy (whichever is the learner’s best).
· Literature qualifications will not count towards the literacy requirements of measures, but can still count towards the non-subject specific measures.
The ‘new’ Capped Point Score
· The score will be based on nine rather than eight qualifications. Five of the nine qualifications used to calculate the score will be:
- GCSE English Language or GCSE Welsh Language (whichever is the learner’s best, literature will not count).
- GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy and GCSE Mathematics.
- The learner’s best two science qualifications (from 2018, their best two science GCSEs).
· The other four qualifications will be the learner’s best (highest grade) other qualifications. These could be GCSEs, vocational qualifications or the Skills Challenge Certificate (the core of the new Welsh Baccalaureate).
Summary of changes from 2018 (current Year 10 learners)
· For science only GCSE qualifications will count towards subject specific requirements of the capped points score.
· Non-GCSE science qualifications no longer count towards science components but can still count towards a learner’s ‘other 4’ best qualifications.
· New measures will be introduced relating to the attainment of the new Welsh Baccalaureate at Foundation and National levels (Levels 1 and 2).
· These new measures will replace the current Level 1, Level 2 and Level 2 Inclusive threshold measures.
Member Scrutiny:
· Select Committee Members expressed concern that from the summer of 2017, literature qualifications will no longer count towards the three subject specific requirements of measures. The EAS representative acknowledged the sentiments of the Committee with regard to English literature qualifications. However, it was noted that some schools had focussed on the literature for pupils that had struggled with the literature qualification at C and above to the detriment of their success at English language.
· The Select Committee ask the EAS representative to convey the sentiments of the Committee with regard to its views on the importance of the English Literature qualification
· Vocational qualifications - the EAS will encourage head teachers to do what is best for their individual learners, although, with Estyn, the head teachers will be aware of the headline measures as well.
· In response to a Select Committee Member’s question regarding whether the changes outlined in the presentation would be helpful overall, the EAS representative stated that it would be necessary to see how the measures develop over time before this question could be answered.
· It was noted that universities and employers had been consulted with regard to the proposed changes which would be recognised by these groups.
· With regard to the Welsh Baccalaureate, it was noted that this qualification was not recognised by all English universities. Concern was expressed that this might hinder Welsh students from being able to study at certain English universities.
· Concern was expressed that a number of qualifications, including vocational qualifications, will be removed from the approved list which will have a significant effect on pupils studying these courses. The Select Committee, in receiving details of the definition and what this encompasses for students studying these courses would be beneficial.
· It was considered that the changes proposed for 2017 were narrowing the curriculum options for pupils rather than providing a wider choice.
· It is important for the Authority to consider the comparative position that is achieved in the summer of 2017 compared to what has happened in the past and to note the changes coming in 2017 and 2018.
· It was noted that England will change substantially in the summer of 2017. Schools here will no longer report their GCSE qualifications in grades. Instead, a number system will be introduced ranging from 9 to 1, rather than A* to G, or U. This will mean that it will become increasingly difficult for Monmouthshire’s border communities to compare schools.
· It was noted that schools on either side of the border compete on performance but this is going to be harder to achieve if the systems being operated by Welsh and English schools differ. It was considered that Monmouthshire’s schools should be provided with some additional support from the EAS to explain the differences. The EAS representative stated that he would liaise with Nicola Allan, Monmouthshire’s challenge adviser, to work with the Authority and challenge advisers within Monmouthshire’s secondary schools identify the needs and requirements and to work with head teachers accordingly.
· It was noted that local elections will be held in May 2017 and the likelihood that there will be new Members elected to serve on the new Council. Therefore, when the examination results are released later in 2017 there will be no comparison. An explanation will be required with regard to this matter bearing in mind the changes being introduced regarding the new reporting measures and the newly elected Members.
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Committee’s Conclusion:
The Chair summed up as follows:
· The EAS representative was asked to convey the sentiments of the Committee with regard to its views on the importance of the English Literature qualification.
· The EAS would be invited to a future Select Committee meeting to provide further updates with regard to the new reporting measures. |