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As Curriculum for Wales is rolled out over the next three years, new external qualifications will be developed to reflect the changes to the curriculum. The first cohort of pupils to sit the new examinations was those starting Year 7 in 2023. Should you have any specific questions on the educational provision in any one of our four secondary schools in Monmouthshire, please contact the Headteacher of the relevant school.
How Are Learners Assessed:
Assessment is an important part of your child’s learning every day. Teachers will support your child to understand how they learn, what they learn, what they do well and what they need to do next. This is important to involve pupils in their learning so that they can:
- See where they are in their learning
- Plan their next learning steps
- Spot any issues or extra support they need
and to help their teacher so that they can:
- Understand what every pupil can do
- identify the next steps in learning
- Provide appropriate support and challenge for every pupil
External Examinations:
Monmouthshire County Council follows the advice, guidance and legislation provided by Welsh Government with regard to entrance for public examinations. Further information on school policy can be gained directly from individual schools, along with details of their public examination results. All pupils are entitled to be entered for public examinations at the appropriate level for the subjects they study.
Teaching of Welsh in English Medium Schools:
Under the requirements of the National Curriculum for Schools in Wales and regulations laid down by the Secretary of State, the teaching of Welsh is a compulsory subject at all schools in Monmouthshire. Regulations exempt pupils (from outside Wales) from studying Welsh, who enter a school in years 9, 10 or 11 of secondary education.
Who makes the decisions about the curriculum in school?
The school decides its own curriculum taking account of the Curriculum for Wales and the locally agreed syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics. It is for the school to ensure that its curriculum meets the legal requirements.
Outcomes for Learners:
The Authority continues to work with its schools and the EAS in implementing a policy framework to ensure that standards in schools continue to improve. Historically, standards in outcomes at GCSE and A Level have been consistently above the Welsh average.
Since the pandemic in 2020, however, the impact on outcomes across Wales has been significant and as a result, it is impossible to make a comparison with current outcomes within schools, across the Local Authority and nationally.
There are specific objectives in the Directorate Plan aimed at securing high standards in all schools and settings in Monmouthshire. These include transforming ALN provision and enhancing provision for eligible free school meals pupils and other vulnerable groups.