Thousands of students across Wales are receiving their GCSE results this week, marking a significant transition point as the first cohort under the reformed Curriculum for Wales completes their studies. This year's results include a mix of outcomes from both established GCSE qualifications and new-look courses introduced in September 2025.Subjects such as mathematics, English language and literature, and Welsh language and literature have undergone substantial changes as part of the new curriculum. A key shift involves moving away from solely relying on final exams towards incorporating more class-based assessments. The students who began these new courses in Year 10 will receive their initial results on Thursday.
In response to concerns regarding workload, the WJEC announced changes in July to several GCSEs, including English language and literature, Welsh language and literature, core Welsh, and religious studies. These adjustments are intended for students beginning their studies in September and will not impact the current Year 10 cohort, who are already halfway through their revised courses.
One Year 10 student, who is among the first to experience the new curriculum, described the transition from Year 9 as a "big step." She noted that the new courses have been "really good" and "exciting," involving a blend of coursework and direct exams. The student also mentioned that the pace was demanding from the outset, requiring immediate attention to coursework and exam preparation. Despite the intensity, she feels ahead on her Year 11 work, with a significant portion of coursework already completed in some subjects.
Ian Morgan, chief executive of the WJEC, stated that the organization has "listened intently to comments from schools and college leaders and put some solutions in place." While acknowledging the challenges associated with educational reform, Morgan expressed confidence that the new qualifications enable learners to "properly demonstrate what they know, what they understand and what they can do." He assured that no student would be disadvantaged by this initial iteration of the reformed qualifications. Overall, Morgan anticipates that this summer's results will reflect "stability in terms of GCSE outcomes for this academic year."