A flexible range of qualifications in English and Cymraeg for post-16 learners

New GCSEs are now being taught in schools across the country as part of the first wave of National 14-16 Qualifications. These new GCSEs are designed to align with and reflect the ethos of Curriculum for Wales.

This includes new integrated qualifications in GCSE English Language and Literature (single and double award) and GCSE Cymraeg language and Literature (single and double award). These qualifications will be awarded for the first time in summer 2027, at which point learners will make decisions about their progression pathways beyond compulsory education.

Over recent months, we have been working closely with further education providers and other stakeholders to understand the impact of the changes to these qualifications for post-16 learners. Qualifications in English and Cymraeg are taken by learners as part of their wider post-16 learning programmes to support progression. This includes learners resitting a GCSE and learners taking GCSE or level 1/level 2 qualifications in literacy for the first time. 
 
Through our engagement, we have considered the distinct needs of post-16 learners. Qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds are designed to reflect the breadth of learning required by Curriculum for Wales, providing a strong foundation for a wide range of future opportunities. Learners taking qualifications in post-compulsory education build on the breadth of their prior learning and focus on chosen subject specialisms or progression routes. These pathways place greater emphasis on developing the skills needed for progression into employment, training or further study. We therefore recognise the importance of offering a flexible suite of qualifications, enabling post-16 providers to tailor their delivery to the specific needs of learners in their context.

As part of this approach, we have decided to introduce a new GCSE in English language and a new GCSE in Cymraeg language specifically for post-16 learners. These qualifications will be designed to build on learners' prior experiences of language learning through the curriculum, including the language aspects of the new GCSE English Language and Literature and Cymraeg Language and Literature qualifications.

The new GCSE English language (for post-16 learners) and GCSE Cymraeg language (for post-16 learners) will be available for first teaching from September 2027. These new qualifications will not be available to learners in pre-16 settings, where the already introduced double and single awards in English and Cymraeg language and literacy embody the expectations of the curriculum.

Therefore, the future menu of qualifications available to post-16 learners from September 2027 will include the following.

We also recognise that in a small minority of cases, some learners who have previously studied the 9-1 English language GCSE in England may now be opting to continue with their post-16 education in Wales. We are currently exploring how the needs of these learners can best be met.

What happens next?

Building on the engagement we have already done, we will now continue to work with stakeholders to reach the design requirements that will form the basis of the approval criteria WJEC will have to meet when developing the new post-16 GCSEs.

As WJEC starts its work to design and develop the qualifications to meet our requirements, we will work collaboratively towards the joint aim of approving the qualifications by autumn 2026.