Wales introduces new rules to prevent too many early exam entries
Welsh schools are to be subject to new rules designed to prevent too many students from being entered to sit exams early when it is not in their best interests.
From summer 2019, only a pupil's first entry to a GCSE examination will count in their school's performance measures, a change from the current policy that allows schools to count the best grade from across multiple sittings.
This change follows an independent review by Qualifications Wales that indicated that the continued widespread use of early and multiple entry at GCSE poses risks to students and to the system, with more than £3.3 million spent by schools on early exam entries in the last academic year.
Of particular concern was the fact that this practice essentially encourages teachers to train their students in a way that is solely geared towards passing the exam, rather than providing them with wider knowledge of the subject in question.
Welsh education secretary Kirsty Williams explained that this means that many pupils with the potential to earn an A*, A or a B at the end of a two-year course end up settling for a C grade, often because they take their exam early and are not re-entered again.
She said: "I want every child to reach their full potential in school. Early entry must only be for the minority of pupils who will benefit. GCSEs are designed to be sat after two years of teaching, not one.
"These changes will ensure our young people access a broad and balanced curriculum, and focus in on what's best for our children and young people."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£85 - 110 per day
Location free text
Hall Green
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
West Midlands
Description
ARE YOU A RECENT GRADUATE SEEKING A STEPPING STONE INTO YOUR NEW CAREER?DO YOU WANT A JOB WHERE YOU CAN BE FLEXIBLE AND WORK AROUND OTHER COMMITMENTS? Teaching Personnel are recruiting recent universi
Reference
Graduate TA B28
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Horley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Oxfordshire
Description
Looking for a Patient, Supportive Tutor for SEN ChildrenAre you a compassionate and dedicated tutor with experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)? Do you have the skills to
Reference
ZMWHORLEYTUTOR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Science
Location
Southampton
Description
Science Specialist Cover Supervisor / Supply Teacher About the Role Do you thrive on igniting curiosity about the world we live in? As a Science Specialist Cover Supervisor / Supply Teacher, you wil
Reference
SciTchC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£125 - 145 per day
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Southampton
Description
English Specialist Cover Supervisor / Supply Teacher If you have a passion for the written word and want to encourage students to develop their reading and writing skills without the commitment of a
Reference
EngSuptc
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£125 - 145 per day
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Maths
Location
Southampton
Description
About the Role Do you love mathematics and want to share that enthusiasm while enjoying true flexibility? As a Maths Specialist Cover Supervisor / Supply Teacher, you’ll: Deliver pre-prepared Maths
Reference
CovMatS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£20k - 24k per year
Location free text
Salisbury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Salisbury
Description
Calling Graduates! Salaried Teacher Training Programme – Salisbury (September 2025 Start)Are you passionate about education and eager to gain hands-on teaching experience while working towards your fo
Reference
24241341
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Eastleigh
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
£60,000 - £69,999
Sector
Science
Location
Eastleigh
Description
Science Teacher – Ignite Curiosity and Exploration Seeking a Science Teacher driven by the desire to illuminate the wonders of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics? This secondary school in Eastleigh offe
Reference
SCIEast
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Eastleigh
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
£60,000 - £69,999
Sector
English
Location
Eastleigh
Description
English Teacher – Inspire Future Communicators and Critical Thinkers Are you an English Teacher committed to nurturing a love for language and literature? This secondary school in Eastleigh is search
Reference
EngTEast
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Eastleigh
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
£60,000 - £69,999
Sector
Maths
Location
Eastleigh
Description
Maths Teacher – Join an Innovative and Supportive Environment Are you a passionate Maths Teacher eager to make a difference in a forward-thinking secondary school? This is an outstanding opportunity
Reference
MthCrst
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£30k - 60k per year
Location free text
Fareham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
£60,000 - £69,999
Sector
Science
Location
Fareham
Description
Science Teacher – Ignite Curiosity and Critical Thinking Do you have a passion for the wonders of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics? A sought-after secondary school in the Fareham area is looking for a
Reference
SciBkf
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
NurseryContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
The government has announced new nursery funding and the introduction of free before-school breakfast clubs. These initiatives will bring change to early education. Yet staffing them will be a c
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
On the 5th of November, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining a
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future. Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As the academic year peaks, the pressure of exams can overwhelm pupils. Many teachers believe that tests and exams have the biggest impact on students’ mental health. With GCSEs, SATs, and A-Levels
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job