Meet the team

Delyth Jones, Assistant Director, Qualification Development

Delyth joined WJEC in 2023, having previously been the former Head of Approvals and Designation at Qualifications Wales.

'I am delighted to be leading on this project, having worked on the inception of ‘Qualified for the future’ during my time at Qualifications Wales, it is great to have the opportunity to be part of the delivery component, through the development of these exciting new GCSEs.

The team is looking forward to working alongside colleagues from across the education community to develop qualifications that we are confident will equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need for the future.’

Elen Davies, Qualification Development Officer

Prior to joining our Qualification Development Team, Elen held the position of Qualifications Manager at WJEC, working across all qualifications. Elen has also managed the Routes into Languages Cymru programme and Modern Foreign Languages mentoring initiative at Cardiff University to promote the teaching of international languages in Wales. Elen is, a former Head of French and Language Teaching Adviser and has played a key role in the development of WJEC's new Level 2 Technical Awards and the new suite of Level 3 Applied qualifications.

Leah Maloney, Qualification Development Officer

Leah joined WJEC as a Regional Support Officer in 2011. In her role as Regional Support Officer, Leah has been through numerous qualification reforms, helping schools and colleges to successful implement and develop new qualifications. Leah is a former Head of Welsh Baccalaureate at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg and joined our Qualification Development Team in May 2023.

Dr Rachel Dodge, Qualifications Development Officer

Rachel led our Psychology qualification as Subject Officer, before joining our Qualification Team in 2020. Rachel taught in Secondary and FE for 18 years. She has just gained her Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Studies: Educational Assessment, with the University of Cambridge and has extensive experience in qualification development, having played a key role in the creation of our new Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification.

Wyn Jones, Qualifications Development Officer

Wyn taught for 25 years prior to joining the WJEC in 2016 as the Drama Subject Officer. He was Head of Drama and Media at Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr and Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, and also Head of Key Stage 4 at Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe. Within his role as Principal Examiner for Drama he was part of the team which reformed the A Level Drama and Theatre qualification in 2016, and also led the development of the GCSE Media Studies qualification in 2017.

Paul Evans, Qualification Development Officer

Paul is a former Geography Subject Officer at WJEC, having joined the organisation in 2018. As a Subject Officer, Paul was part of the team which managed the first assessment of the current GCSE Geography qualifications in 2018, and will use his extensive experience and classroom knowledge in the creation of the new suite of GCSEs. He is the former Head of Geography and Senior Mentor for Initial Teacher Education at King Henry VII School, Abergavenny.

Justine Swainson, Qualification Development Officer

Justine is a former teacher and Head of Modern Foreign Languages, having taught in both Wales and England until 2015. From 2016-2021, Justine worked at the International Baccalaureate, where she held roles in both the Assessment and the Teaching & Learning divisions, specialising in Language Acquisition and Music, and Arts. She comes to WJEC from Pearson / Edexcel, where she has been working on the development of the reformed Modern Foreign Language GCSEs.

Nina Rees, Qualifications Development Officer

Nina led the ICT and Business department at Coedcae School, Llanelli for 17 years.  She is experienced in qualifications, with roles as Principal Examiner for OCR from 2008 to 2018 and WJEC from 2018 to 2023, where she designed assessments and led the assessment process.  Nina has written several exam board endorsed educational books for a major publishing house.  While studying a Masters in Education, Nina specialised in research into assessment.

Elan Richards, Qualification Development Officer

Elan joined WJEC in 2023, having previously worked for Qualifications Wales, leading the development requirements for the new GCSEs in English, Cymraeg, and Core Cymraeg. As part of our Qualification Development Team, she will continue to work on the co-creation of our new GCSEs and related qualifications. Elan previously worked as Compliance Officer, for awarding body ABRSM.

Julie Rees, Qualification Development Officer

Julie joined WJEC in 2006, following the completion of her BA Honours degree in English Studies. Her 17 years of experience, including her most recent role of Qualifications Manager, has provided her with a wealth of knowledge and skills around qualification and assessment development for both general and vocational qualifications. Julie has recently played a key role in the successful review of our Health and Social Care and Childcare qualifications alongside her project management role in the development of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification.