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On Thursday, thousands of students in Wales are set to receive their GCSE results amid significant reforms to the qualifications system. For the first time, Year 10 pupils will obtain marks for updated GCSE courses, which have sparked criticism over the intense pressure placed on both learners and educators. The main examination board in Wales, the WJEC, has stated that it is making continuous adjustments and is committed to ensuring the results are fair and balanced for all candidates.
In addition to the GCSE results, students will also receive grades for vocational qualifications, while the Welsh Baccalaureate will be awarded for the final time at this level before being phased out and replaced by new skills-based courses. Historically, 62.5% of pupils achieved grades A* to C in 2025, representing a slight increase of 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. Among the Year 11 students is Yaroslav, who relocated to Wales from Ukraine in 2022. He expressed his ambition to pursue engineering and eventually contribute to his home country. Yaroslav praised the support from his teachers at Caldicot School and expressed enthusiasm about continuing to improve his Welsh language skills, saying, “I am a guest and I want to respect the language.”
The reformed Curriculum for Wales introduced new GCSEs in key subjects such as maths and numeracy, English language and literature, and Welsh language and literature starting in September 2025 for Year 10 students. These changes reflect a shift towards more coursework-based assessments instead of relying solely on final exams. In response to concerns about the workload, the WJEC announced changes to certain GCSEs, including English language and literature, Welsh language and literature, core Welsh, and religious studies, which will take effect for students beginning their courses in September but will not impact those currently halfway through, like the current Year 10 cohort. Miriam, a 15-year-old student experiencing the new curriculum, described it as a considerable step up from Year 9, noting the course has involved a heavy focus on coursework and exams since the start of the year.
Ian Morgan, chief executive of the WJEC, acknowledged the challenges associated with implementing the new qualifications but emphasized that the reforms allow students to better showcase their knowledge and skills. He reassured that no learner would be disadvantaged by this being the first year the qualifications have been offered and expected the results to demonstrate stability this summer. Meanwhile, all GCSE subjects taken by 14 to 16-year-olds across Wales have undergone a thorough review and update, with some new subjects being introduced, such as dance and digital media and film. Future reforms include the delayed rollout of history and new double science GCSEs, with the previously planned discontinuation of separate physics, chemistry, and biology courses postponed until at least 2031. From September 2027, the Vocational Certificate of Secondary Education (VCSE) will also be introduced, offering students more options and aiming to achieve equal recognition to GCSE qualifications. However, educators like Dr. Llinos Jones have voiced concerns about the rapid pace of change and uncertainties surrounding this first group of students completing the new qualifications
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