Rolling out an unique qualification for Welsh students

18 Feb 2008


Nearly 18,000 students now have the opportunity to study the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification at post-16 Advanced and Intermediate levels from September when the second phase of the qualification’s roll-out gets underway.

Education Minister, Jane Hutt has agreed to extend provision of the ground breaking qualification in schools, Further Education Institutions and Training Providers as the Welsh Assembly Government’s aims to see 40 per cent of students taking part in the qualification by 2010.

From September 2008, there will be:

  • 27 new centres delivering the qualification across Wales
  • Expanded provision at 24 current centres
  • Approximately 9,000 additional Welsh Baccalaureate students commencing in September.
  • A total of 102 centres across Wales offering the post 16 Advanced and Intermediate level Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification

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Jane Hutt recently joined pupils at Cardiff High School, one of the 27 new centres, where they also heard current Welsh Baccalaureate students from St Cyres Comprehensive speak about their experiences of studying for the qualification.

The visit coincided with the launch of new marketing materials, including a revamped website, which have been developed to increase awareness and illustrate the benefits of studying the Welsh Baccalaureate. New materials for university admissions tutors and employers will emphasise how the qualification produces more capable undergraduates and recruits.

Jane Hutt said: "It was great to meet students looking forward to studying this challenging but exciting qualification. Students recognise the worth of the Welsh Baccalaureate, whether they chose to move on to Higher Education or enter the world of work. It is wonderful that Higher Education Institutions and employers are increasingly seeing how Welsh Baccalaureate students are developing into confident, well-rounded individuals.

"From experience we know that it is vitally important that young people are equipped with the skills needed to get ahead. The Welsh Baccalaureate is ensuring that students are learning transferable Key Skills they can use throughout their learning and working lives.

"We want all young people to realise and achieve their full potential. The further roll-out of this distinctive qualification, which is being recognised across the world, will ensure we are laying firm foundations for the economic and educational future of Wales."

The centres that will be offering the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification at post 16 Advanced and Intermediate level for the first time from September 2008 are:

  • Heolddu Comprehensive School
  • Milford Haven School
  • Caereinon High School
  • Cambrian Training
  • PRP Training
  • Hawarden High School
  • Ysgol Emrys Ap Iwan
  • Crickhowell High School
  • Porthcawl Comprehensive School
  • Ysgol Penweddig
  • Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn
  • City of Swansea Emp Training
  • Tonyrefail School
  • Brynteg Comprehensive School
  • Eirias High School
  • Olchfa School
  • Fitzalan High School - Cardiff
  • Yale College
  • Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen - Cynnal Consortium
  • Ysgol Tryfan - Cynnal Consortium
  • Ysgol y Creuddyn - Cynnal Consortium
  • Sir Thomas Picton School
  • Croesyceiliog School
  • Ferndale Community School
  • Cardiff High School
  • Llantwit Major School
  • Llanidloes High School
  • Tonypandy Community College (approved in February 2007 - deferred entry to Sept 2008)
  • Cyfarthfa High School (approved in February 2007 - deferred entry to Sept 2008)

The existing centres offering expanded Welsh Baccalaureate provision from September 2008 are:

  • Ysgol y Preseli
  • Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones
  • Ysgol y Strade
  • Newport Local Area Network
  • Ysgol Brynhyfryd
  • Merthyr Tydfil College
  • Fairwater High School
  • Coleg Meirion Dwyfor
  • Whitchurch High School
  • Coleg Menai
  • Cynnal - Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni
  • Coleg Llandrillo
  • Ysgol Prestatyn
  • Bridgend College
  • Pontypridd High School
  • Barry College
  • Ystrad Mynach College
  • St Cenydd School
  • Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg
  • Coleg Glan Hafren
  • Swansea College
  • Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr