A UNION representing teachers in Wales has welcomed the decision to scrap end of year exams in 2021 - but with some reservations

This week, Education Minister Kirsty Williams confirmed her decision that there will be no end of year exams for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels.

Instead, next year's system will include assessments that will be externally set and marked, but delivered within a classroom environment and under teacher supervision.

Commenting on the Welsh Government’s plans for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications in 2021, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said: “We welcome the Government’s decision that there will be no end of year examinations for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels.

“We are also pleased that there is a commitment to include assessments that will be externally set and marked which will go some way to addressing our concerns over teacher workload.

“However, this new system will be developed by a new Design and Delivery Advisory Group, involving school and college leaders rather than classroom teachers.

“This misses a vital opportunity of factoring in the classroom experience which shows us that the pandemic has detrimentally affected children’s learning in different ways from school to school.

“This group will have to factor in this differential learning loss into their decision making."

Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales, said: “I think the Government has made the right decision, but it could have come earlier.

“Schools need time to change direction with their examination classes and this is being done with the backdrop of Covid conditions that are making teaching and learning extremely difficult.

“A lot of work must be carried out now to develop this new system of assessment and it must be done quickly and efficiently.

“Going forward schools will need the help and support of the WJEC and Qualifications Wales.

“Teachers know that they cannot afford to fail and they will come under enormous pressure.

“The Welsh Government must listen to the wider profession to ensure that this total change in how qualifications are assessed in Wales is a success.”