GCSE Welsh Baccalaureate
Exam board: WJEC
Exam code: 9009Q0
The central focus of the Welsh Baccalaureate at Key Stage 4 is to provide a vehicle for 14 -16 year olds to consolidate and develop essential transferable employability skills. The programme will require the completion of a Skills Challenge Certificate along with supporting qualifications such as GCSEs at Key Stage 4. The requirements of both the Skills Challenge Certificate and Supporting Qualifications must be met in order to achieve the overarching Welsh Baccalaureate.
The Skills Challenge Certificate consists of four components which are followed by all learners:
- Enterprise and Employability Challenge (20%)
- Global Citizenship Challenge (15%)
- Community Challenge (15%)
- Individual Project (50%)
Each component of the Skills Challenge will incorporate a selection of skills which learners need for learning, work and life. These skills are outlined below:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Planning and Organisation
- Creativity and Innovation
- Personal Effectiveness
The Supporting Qualifications include a mandatory GCSE of English Language together with Mathematics and Numeracy. A minimum of a further three GCSEs are also required, of which two may be of equivalent qualifications.
The award will offer two levels of achievement either at the higher National level or the lower Foundation level.
To achieve the National Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve the National Skills Challenge Certificate together with the following Supporting Qualifications:
- GCSE English Language at grade A* – C
- GCSE Numeracy at grade A* – C
- A minimum of three further GCSEs grade A*- C, of which two may be equivalent qualifications.
To achieve the Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve either the National or Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate together with the following Supporting Qualifications:
- GCSE English Language at grade A* – G
- GCSE Numeracy at grade A* – G
- A minimum of three further GCSEs grade A*- G, of which two may be equivalent qualifications.
The following diagram illustrates the routes towards achievement of the Welsh Baccalaureate at Key Stage 4.
GCSE Welsh Baccalaureate Routes to achievement diagram
FAQs
We offer a range of study options, we are flexible, offer tutor support, and interest-free payment plans make it easy to shape learning around your life.
We are registered with Estyn, our aims to give each student a complete education in which they achieve their academic potential and grow as an individual. As well as studying with us, you can sit your exams with us too.
Straight away! There’s no need to wait until September to enrol, you can begin your course at any time. Once you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started by the next working day.
You’ll sit the same GCSE exams at the same time as all the other students in the UK, and you’ll receive the same results, transcript and qualification. Your GCSE course will be accepted by colleges, universities and employers worldwide.
You can study GCSE courses through a range of study options; our blended learning which consists of online live classes and in person teaching in class, Online live classes only or Distant learning course.
IGCSE qualifications are ideal for those wanting to study for national qualifications by distance learning. Without all the administrative problems that encumber GCSE course work.
We offer a range of IGCSE Courses; see our Distance learning course page.
Choosing a tier isn’t always easy, particularly for languages, we can help you make a decision. Nobody is a better judge of a student’s ability than their teacher. Regular assessments and mock exams are a key part of our decision making.
If you are studying a distance learning course, we can assess you through the year through a range of assessments.
- We offer subject support tutorials every month
- 1:1 support from your subject tutor, online or by email
- 24/7 access to the your online learning platform
- Interactive online learning broken down into easy-to-follow units
- Practice tests and mock exams marked by your tutor
- Friendly student services team, so you’re never more than a message or phone call away from a helping hand
Of course, you can study this course part time, making sure you have said in your enrolment.
GCSE’s are usually a two year course, studying this in one year – would be an intensive course.
You may be able to complete this in one year as an intensive course, you need to show a strong understanding of the subject.
We offer GCSEs – part time in the evenings to adult learners.
We offer interest-free payment plans, you can pay monthly, termly or annually.
Choose the subject you would like to study, add to courses, complete our application form and you can choose to pay online.
If you’d like to set up an interest-free payment plan, get in touch with our Student Advisors on 01792 535 000.
If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please let us know before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.
