GCSE SHAKE-UP: Exam board to overhaul new English GCSE in Wales months after launch as teachers warn of burnout

Wales’s new English GCSE could face significant changes just nine months after it was introduced, following warnings that it was burning out teachers and pupils.

The WJEC exam board is consulting on major adjustments to the GCSE English language and literature course, which only began being taught in September 2025.

The qualification was brought in as part of a sweeping overhaul of the curriculum in Wales.

But the board said it had “listened carefully” to concerns from schools, teachers and staff about the workload involved, and had concluded that “significant adjustments are needed”.

At the heart of the concern is the amount of non-examination assessment in some of the new courses — work such as oral assessments, portfolios and practical tasks that teachers often set and mark themselves, with less weight on formal exams.

The board is consulting on reducing the level of oracy, or spoken, assessment, and on dropping the requirement for some planning and research to be done under close teacher supervision.

Any major changes would apply to Year 10 pupils starting in September 2026, and would not affect those already a year into the course.

More limited changes are also being considered for the Welsh language and literature GCSE, which would come in from September 2027.

The move follows months of warnings from the profession. Headteachers in Cardiff wrote to the WJEC and the regulator, Qualifications Wales, saying the reforms had placed schools “under extreme pressure”.

Claire Armitstead, director of the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru, said it had been clear “from the outset” that the workload the new GCSEs placed on schools was “totally unmanageable”.

She said the union was “relieved” the board was looking to make changes, and hoped it would lead to a system that was “more manageable and deliverable going forward”.

The teaching union UCAC also said it was pleased the board had listened to the concerns of teachers and pupils.

The changes have become political. Sam Rowlands, the Welsh Conservatives’ shadow education minister and MS for Fflint Wrecsam, said the situation should “set alarm bells ringing across the Welsh education system”.

He said teachers and pupils had warned that too many assessments across the year were adding pressure and causing burnout, and “deserved to be listened to before this was rolled out, not after pupils had already started the course”.

Rowlands said the fact that significant changes were being considered so soon meant “serious questions need to be asked about the Welsh curriculum”, arguing pupils and teachers deserved one that was “manageable and focused on raising standards”.

The WJEC said its consultations would remain open until mid-June, after which it would confirm the outcomes before the end of the summer term.

A spokesperson said the board remained committed to working with the education community and to changes that supported both teachers and learners.

Qualifications Wales said it supported the work to address teachers’ concerns, and that any changes to the qualifications would need its approval before being introduced.

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Welsh Government defends curriculum rollout as opposition warns of ‘falling standards’

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle MS told the Senedd that the curriculum, now being taught across all schools, was “transformative” and designed to ensure “every child in Wales deserves the best start in life.”

She said personalised assessment data was already showing improvements in reading and numeracy, with English reading attainment higher across all year groups compared with 2022/23.

“Where educators are getting this right, they are raising the bar for learners,” Ms Neagle said. “Our national support is about having high expectations for our learners, and giving practitioners the tools, support, and confidence to help our children and young people achieve their ambitions.”

The Cabinet Secretary highlighted a £44m support package, including £20m over three years for literacy and numeracy, and £1.4m to strengthen computing and digital skills.

Estyn’s findings

A thematic survey by Estyn, published in September 2025, found that while many schools were embedding the new curriculum effectively, there were still “wide variations” in classroom practice. Inspectors highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between primary and secondary schools, more targeted support for early literacy, and a sharper focus on reading skills.

Conservative criticism

The Welsh Conservatives argue the curriculum is failing to deliver.

Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, said Estyn’s findings showed too many pupils were not reaching their potential, with poor teaching and inconsistent maths standards highlighted as key concerns.

“Labour can pat themselves on the back over their new curriculum, but the reality is school standards continue to fall,” Ms Asghar said. “Welsh children aren’t getting the education they deserve, and that’s down to 26 years of Labour mismanagement.”

The Conservatives also criticised what they called “skewed priorities” in funding, pointing to £12m allocated to music compared with £8.7m for maths, literacy, science and technology.

Plaid Cymru’s view

Plaid Cymru have warned that the reforms risk “patchy delivery” without stronger national direction and a clear workforce strategy. The party has called for more investment in teacher recruitment and retention, and for literacy, numeracy and the Welsh language to be given sharper focus.

Reform UK’s stance

Reform UK have branded the Curriculum for Wales “ideologically driven” and called for a return to more traditional subject‑based teaching. The party argues the reforms are confusing for parents and teachers and risk lowering standards by moving away from clear benchmarks in maths, science and literacy.

Liberal Democrat position

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say they support the principles of the new curriculum, but warn that underfunding and staff shortages risk undermining its delivery. They have called for smaller class sizes, more specialist teachers in maths and science, and stronger mental health support for pupils to ensure the reforms succeed.

Curriculum for Wales explained

The Curriculum for Wales was introduced in 2022 and is now being taught across all year groups. This September, the first cohort of pupils under the new curriculum entered Year 10, beginning work towards qualifications under the new 14–16 Learner Entitlement.

The government says the reforms are designed to give schools more flexibility to shape lessons around four key purposes: to develop ambitious, capable learners; enterprising, creative contributors; ethical, informed citizens; and healthy, confident individuals.

#curriculum #CurriculumForWales #education #Estyn #lessons #LynneNeagleMS #NatashaAsgharMS #schoolLessons #schools #teaching #WelshGovernment

My new blog post looks at the Court of Appeal’s refusal of the permission to appeal in the challenge to Wales’ new Relationships and Sexuality Education. It also explores the implications for Religion, Values and Ethics which is similarly now mandatory: https://sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/2023/06/08/end-of-litigation-over-wales-relationships-and-sexuality-education-code/

#wales #curriculum #curriculumforwales #relationshipsandsexualityeeducation #rae #religiousstudies #religionvaluesandethics #rve #law #courtofappeal

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63653576

Worth keeping an eye on this challenge to the mandatory Relationships and Sexuality Education which forms part of the new Curriculum for Wales not least because the opt out has also been removed for what is now Religion, Values and Ethics - on which see my latest book: https://anthempress.com/religion-in-schools-learning-lessons-from-wales-pb

#wales #sexeducation #ReligiousEducation #curriculum #schools #CurriculumForWales #senedd

Next week I will be finishing off a progression map for #ExpressiveArts in line with #CurriculumForWales which has been drafted (and redrafted) with colleagues from primary and secondary schools.

What knowledge and skills do you think pupils should #learn (between ages 3 and 16) in #art #music #drama #dance #film - what are the real core priorities in your opinion?

#Education #Edu #Cymru #Wales