Update from the Education Minister on qualifications in Wales

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: "I know how important an issue next year’s exams are for many learners and their families.

At a press conference last week I said that I would soon make a decision on what qualifications in Wales would look like next year and that I would announce that decision on Tuesday, November 10.

The reason for waiting until then is so that all learners will be back in school following the fire-break with access to, and support from, their teachers.

I also said that I was awaiting important information and advice relating to qualifications before making any decisions.

This included the interim recommendations of an independent review I commissioned and further advice from Qualifications Wales with a specific focus on deliverability and equality in any approach.

Today, I am pleased to confirm I have received both pieces of advice and they are publicly available on the links below.

I would like to thank both Qualifications Wales and the review panel chaired by Louise Casella, Director of the Open University in Wales, for their thorough work and preparing these important documents for consideration.

I have always said that it is vital that we hear from learners who took qualifications this year, and those due to take qualifications next year, to learn from their experiences before reaching a final decision.

The independent review’s recent consultation was open to learners, I look forward to reading what they have had to say and am pleased that this information will now help inform our final decision on next year’s exams.

I will now consider these pieces of advice before discussing next week with young people and the workforce before announcing our decision on Tuesday, November 10."