WJEC (exam board)

WJEC (until 2007 known as the Welsh Joint Education Committee) () is an examination board that provides examinations, assessment, professional development, educational resources, support for adults who wish to learn Welsh and access to youth arts activities. It traditionally serves Wales but now also provides examinations throughout England and Northern Ireland.

History

WJEC was established in 1948 as a consortium of Welsh Local Education Authorities, replacing the Central Welsh Board. It is now a registered charity, and a company limited by guarantee, owned by the 22 local authorities in Wales and based in Cardiff. A subsidiary company, WJEC CBAC Services Limited, provides specialist printing and publication services. WJEC is run by a Board of Directors and Trustees, with representatives drawn from the 22 local authorities in Wales.

Qualifications

WJEC’s qualifications include traditional academic and work-related subjects at Entry Level, GCSE and AS/A Level, as well as Functional Skills and Key Skills.

In 2007, after a three-year pilot, the Welsh Baccalaureate was introduced as part of their portfolio. This qualification is available to schools in Wales at Intermediate or Advanced levels, and is being piloted at Foundation level. The Welsh Baccalaureate offers a programme of study incorporating working with employers, community activities, individual investigations and key skills, as well as students’ GCSEs, GNVQs or A level studies.

They also provide a suite of...
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