Welsh Pupils’ experiences to inform recommendations for next year’s qualifications

#ExamsCovidDebate – A new survey has been launched today (8 Oct) to hear the views of learners, teachers and other stakeholders about the way GCSEs, A-levels and vocational qualifications were assessed this summer and their thoughts about arrangements for 2021.

The survey is part of the Independent Review of the Summer 2020 Arrangements to award grades, which will also provide recommendations for how qualifications are assessed in 2021.

Louise Casella, Director of the Open University in Wales, is leading the review, which is seeking the views of a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that lessons are learned from this year.  

The review will prioritise the views of learners, schools and other people involved in delivery and supporting education. As well as the online survey, meetings are taking place with learners and representatives of schools and colleges from every region in Wales, including governors.

The interim report of key findings will be shared with the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, in October, before the Minister makes a statement on next year’s assessments before the end of half term.   

Qualifications Wales, which is responsible for regulating general and vocational qualifications in Wales, will also provide further advice to the Minister about how assessments should be completed in 2021, given the continuing disruption from Covid-19.

Kirsty Williams said:

“I know that the way qualifications will be assessed this year, and arrangements for next summer’s exams, is of particular concern to many people, especially to learners and their families.

“For learners in exam years, my overriding priority is to ensure that learners have the knowledge, skills and confidence to progress into the next phase of their education, training or employment.

“We as the Government have put in place new arrangements in our approach, ensuring that they are robust and have fairness at their heart.

“I expect to make a statement on our approach to qualifications, including vocational qualifications, before the next half term.”

Louise Casella said:

“It is really important that we as a Review Panel listen carefully to the voices of learners, parents, teachers, lecturers and all those involved in education in Wales in forming our recommendations. We are doing that in a range of meetings at the moment but want to hear more widely, so please use the survey to share your experiences and views on what happens next.”

The survey closes on 18 October 2020 and is available here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/4VS1YM/?lang=507064

Terms of Reference of the Independent Review: https://gov.wales/independent-review-summer-2020-arrangements-award-grades-and-considerations-summer-2021

 

Profiadau disgyblion i lywio argymhellion ar gyfer cymwysterau flwyddyn nesaf

Mae arolwg newydd wedi’i lansio heddiw i glywed barn dysgwyr, athrawon a rhanddeiliaid eraill am y ffordd yr aseswyd TGAU, Safon Uwch a chymwysterau galwedigaethol eleni a’u barn am y trefniadau ar gyfer 2021.

Mae’r arolwg yn rhan o’r Adolygiad Annibynnol o Drefniadau Haf 2020 i ddyfarnu graddau, a fydd hefyd yn darparu argymhellion ar gyfer sut y caiff cymwysterau eu hasesu yn 2021.

Louise Casella, Cyfarwyddwr y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru, sy’n arwain yr adolygiad, fydd yn hel safbwyntiau ystod eang o randdeiliaid i sicrhau bod gwersi’n cael eu dysgu eleni. 

Bydd yr adolygiad yn blaenoriaethu barn dysgwyr, ysgolion a phobl eraill sy’n ymwneud â chyflwyno a chefnogi addysg. Yn ogystal â’r arolwg ar-lein, cynhelir cyfarfodydd gyda dysgwyr a chynrychiolwyr ysgolion a cholegau o bob rhanbarth yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys llywodraethwyr.

Bydd yr adroddiad interim ar ganfyddiadau allweddol yn cael ei rannu â’r Gweinidog Addysg, Kirsty Williams, ym mis Hydref, cyn i’r Gweinidog wneud datganiad ar asesiadau’r flwyddyn nesaf cyn diwedd hanner tymor.   

Bydd Cymwysterau Cymru, sy’n gyfrifol am reoleiddio cymwysterau cyffredinol a galwedigaethol yng Nghymru, hefyd yn rhoi cyngor pellach i’r Gweinidog ynghylch sut y dylid cwblhau asesiadau yn 2021, yng nghyd-destun parhad Covid-19.

Dywedodd Kirsty Williams:

“Rwy’n gwybod bod y ffordd y caiff cymwysterau eu hasesu eleni, a’r trefniadau ar gyfer arholiadau’r haf nesaf, yn peri pryder arbennig i lawer o bobl, yn enwedig i ddysgwyr a’u teuluoedd.

“I ddysgwyr mewn blynyddoedd arholiad, fy mhrif flaenoriaeth yw sicrhau bod ganddynt y wybodaeth, sgiliau a’r hyder i symud ymlaen i gam nesaf eu haddysg, eu hyfforddiant neu eu cyflogaeth.

“Rydym ni fel Llywodraeth wedi rhoi trefniadau newydd ar waith yn ein dull gweithredu, gan sicrhau eu bod yn gadarn a bod tegwch yn flaenoriaethau.  

“Rwy’n disgwyl gwneud datganiad ar ein dull o ymdrin â chymwysterau, gan gynnwys cymwysterau galwedigaethol, cyn yr hanner tymor nesaf.”

Dywedodd Louise Casella:

“Mae’n bwysig iawn ein bod ni fel Panel Adolygu yn gwrando’n ofalus ar leisiau dysgwyr, rhieni, athrawon, darlithwyr a phawb sy’n ymwneud ag addysg yng Nghymru wrth lunio ein hargymhellion. Rydym yn gwneud hynny mewn amrywiaeth o gyfarfodydd ar hyn o bryd ond rydym am glywed yn ehangach, felly defnyddiwch yr arolwg i rannu eich profiadau a’ch barn ar yr hyn sy’n digwydd nesaf.”

Daw’r arolwg i ben ar 18 Hydref 2020 ac mae ar gael yma: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/4VS1YM/?lang=508941

Adolygiad annibynnol o drefniadau haf 2020 ar gyfer dyfarnu graddau, ac ystyriaethau ar gyfer haf 2021: https://llyw.cymru/adolygiad-annibynnol-o-drefniadau-haf-2020-ar-gyfer-dyfarnu-graddau-ac-ystyriaethau-ar-gyfer-haf?_ga=2.138901942.443663918.1602081166-527057434.1543492383