Union calls for clarity as matter of urgency

20 January 2021

UCAC teachers’ union has welcomed today’s announcement by Welsh Government that learners in Wales will receive grades this summer determined by their school or college, based on work they’ve completed during their GCSE, AS or A level courses. However, the Union is concerned that many details remain to be determined.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, General Secretary of UCAC said “It had become clear that grades determined by schools and colleges were the only realistic solution under the current circumstances, so we welcome the announcement. Learners and teachers will be hugely relieved that any element of mandatory external assessment has been cancelled.

“These arrangements should allow for more teaching time and therefore lead to learners being more thoroughly prepared for their next steps. They also show a high level of trust in teachers’ professionality and their ability to judge learners’ ability on the basis of a range of evidence.

“There are several crucial elements of the arrangements that are yet to be determined. Teachers will want clarity as soon as possible about the assessment framework and the quality assurance process. These will be central to establishing reliable, well-understood, consistently implemented systems.

“UCAC would like to see a process of external standardisation, between schools, as part of the arrangements in order to strengthen consistency, confidence and credibility of the grades.