What impact assessment did the Welsh Government undertake to evaluate the impact of the reduction of GCSE science courses on offer as part of the new curriculum, from triple science as was previously available, to a maximum double science equivalent?
GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) is being designed to be taken by the significant majority of learners and will support progression to a range of post-16 qualifications, including AS and A levels in science subjects.
In October 2022, Qualifications Wales published integrated impact assessments for their suite of new Made-for-Wales GCSEs. This included their Regulatory Impact Assessment, Equalities Impact Assessment and Welsh Language Impact Assessment. The Integrated Impact Assessment was updated in June 2023 and published here to take account of their final decisions, including the development of new GCSEs in The Sciences.
Qualifications Wales undertook further analysis in spring 2023 on the future attainment of learners undertaking current science GCSEs. This indicated that a similar proportion of learners with high GCSE grades went on to achieve a grade A in their science AS levels, irrespective of whether they took the GCSE Science (Double Award) or separate science GCSEs.
The Learned Societies continue to support The Sciences GCSE as offering an equitable, stretching GCSE and the best route to prepare all learners in Wales for study, life and work, regardless of their destination post-16.