Our Learner Advisory Group

Every decision we make has our learners in mind, therefore, we believe it’s extremely important that their views and opinions help shape our work.

As the leading awarding body for bilingual qualifications and assessments in Wales, we always consider the thoughts and feelings of our learners. Therefore, in 2023, we launched our new Learner Advisory Group.

Introducing our Learner Advisory Group

Our Learner Advisory Group consists of 24 inspiring learners, who come from diverse backgrounds and a range of learning experiences. They provide us with an opportunity to consider their views and opinions, which helps shape our work.

{"accordionHeading":"","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"Initial Discussions","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"As part of Qualifications Wales’ ‘Qualified for the Future’ project, we are developing a new suite of 30 bilingual GCSEs and related qualifications.\nLike all of our qualifications, we will ensure that they are inclusive, engaging and truly reflect the Wales we live in today and tomorrow.\nAs part of these initial discussions our Learner Advisory Group discussed topics such as:\n<ul>\n<li>Different types of assessment</li>\n<li>The benefits and concerns of non-examination assessment</li>\n<li>Assessment levels of control</li>\n<li>Preferred style of work submission</li>\n<li>Durations of tasks</li>\n<li>The effect of different timings of assessment within the academic calendar</li>\n</ul>"},{"accordionTitle":"Why is our Learner Advisory Group important?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"We believe it is essential that learners take a central role in the development of our qualifications.\nLed by our Qualification Development Officers, Leah Maloney and Paul Evans, the aim of our Learner Advisory Group is to explore the views and opinions of our learners and to identify their thoughts on how to make their education inclusive, engaging and fit for their future.\n<table border=\"0\" class=\"table\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; height: 10px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 304px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 165px; height: 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/dughmio2/leah-maloney.png?mode=max&width=200&height=200\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" data-udi=\"umb://media/21760c1bd5dc46b3a178146a1f1be586\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 356px; height: 10px;\">\n“We are embracing the collective views and ideas of our Learner Advisory Group, which are helping to steer the course of qualification development. This ensures that our qualifications meet the needs of today's learners, but also paves the way for a brighter educational landscape for tomorrow. We have been impressed by the positive attitude and critical eye of the group and look forward to hearing their ideas as we continue in the process.”\nLeah Maloney | Qualification Development Officer\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>"},{"accordionTitle":"Who is involved?","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"When we launched our Learner Advisory Group, we received an overwhelming response, with over 50 learners applying to join our group. From here, we carefully chose enthusiastic learners from a mixture of socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, based in all corners of our country: including learners from Cardiff High School, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, Ysgol Aberychan, Ysgol Maesydderwen, Pembrokeshire College, Ysgol David Hughes, St John’s College, Ysgol Eirias and more.\n \nHere are some of the reasons why our learners wanted to get involved:\n<table border=\"0\" class=\"table\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/szxbhgsb/alex-shijan.png?mode=max&width=200&height=190\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"190\" data-udi=\"umb://media/9a036f9008414364b013157ade6c7567\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%;\">\nAlex Shijan | Cardiff High School\n I think it's super important to have a student's perspective when it comes to shaping educational policies and strategies. I'm really excited about the chance to be part of shaping qualifications and making a positive impact on future generations' learning experiences.\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/km0ecsu2/megan-williams.jpg?mode=max&width=200&height=178\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"178\" data-udi=\"umb://media/4a413455439c4a47b6be028b42491797\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%;\">\nMegan Williams | Ysgol David Hughes\n I believe it is important that WJEC has an insight on students’ perspective when it comes to their personal experience in education, in order to improve and develop an excellent and constructive curriculum for Wales.\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/c4zpz4mz/joshua-miles.jpg?mode=max&width=193&height=190\" alt=\"\" width=\"193\" height=\"190\" data-udi=\"umb://media/f9ecb311a5994d1399c0f53f5b1251ff\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%;\">\nJoshua Miles | Cardiff High School\n I have a number of ideas about how to improve both the qualifications themselves and the resources provided for learners and teachers, with the aim of creating more interesting and fulfilling learning experiences for those studying under the new specifications.\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/e4plizko/sarah-jones.png?width=200&height=183&mode=max\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"183\" data-udi=\"umb://media/65a49f21ec4e47e8b441c05a157e1ff7\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%;\">\nSarah Jones | Ysgol Cwm Brimbil\n I joined WJEC's Learner Advisory Group because I think it is important to ensure our voices are being heard on matters that will impact the future of education. I also want to make a positive contribution to support the learning of those who will be in my position in years to come.\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;\"><img src=\"/media/soifehu2/alfie-jones.png?width=200&height=186&mode=max\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"186\" data-udi=\"umb://media/1e429195f59c45ea968d9439148f304e\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%;\">\nAlfie Jones | St John’s College Cardiff\n I joined the Advisory Group to provide direct feedback from a learner's perspective, giving observations and recommendations on areas of qualifications and exams. I wanted to be part of shaping the next generation of students and to be able to have an impact on Welsh qualifications for the future.\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>"},{"accordionTitle":"Teacher Testimonials","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"Here is what our teachers have to say:\n<table border=\"0\" class=\"table\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 441px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 210px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; height: 179px;\"><img src=\"/media/kv3pejqe/nat-ball.png?width=200&height=206&mode=max\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"206\" data-udi=\"umb://media/26f27b53d80446e291f0566150921a37\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%; height: 179px;\">\nNat Ball | Head of Year 10, Llanwern Hugh School\n Student voice will disrupt the traditional power dynamic of adults presuming what is feels like to be a learner. Our learners will be able to bring their lived experience to a policy-making level and ensure that our qualifications are as innovative as our curriculum for Wales aims to be and say they were part of it!\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 196px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; height: 140px;\"><img src=\"/media/klhhsetv/helen-canney.jpg?width=200&height=192&mode=max\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"192\" data-udi=\"umb://media/1279ce546d7542dc9bb398244229959d\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%; height: 140px;\">\nHelen Canney | Assistant Headteacher, Cyfarthfa High School\n It is important if not imperative to include high school students within advisory groups for GCSE syllabus reformation as they need to feel involved and empowered in their learning journey. Our Cyfarthfa students of the 21st century are our innovators, leaders, carers, teachers and parents of the future and we must strive to guide and trust in their valuable insight.\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 270px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 19.8529%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; height: 122px;\"><img src=\"/media/eefpmmf5/samantha-sherlock.png?width=200&height=204&mode=max\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"204\" data-udi=\"umb://media/30f60a2701bf47b88fbb2ea7ae025bae\" /></td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.1471%; height: 122px;\">\nSamantha Sherlock | Deputy Leader English Department, Port Talbot\n Pupil voice is integral to school-life and something we, at Ysgol Cwm Brombil, place a high importance and value upon. They enjoy being heard and like to see the impact they can have and that is why I think the Learner Advisory Group will be a fantastic way to allow young people to shape the future of the qualifications they will go on to achieve in secondary school.\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>"},{"accordionTitle":"Next steps","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"We held our first meeting on 14th November 2023. This initial meeting was a fantastic opportunity for the members to get together and discuss this exciting project.\nIn our next meeting we plan to discuss topics such as diversity within the curriculum, the benefit of local historic facts used in history classes, and more…"}]}

Further information:

If you wish to know more about our 'Made for Wales' qualifications or our Learner Advisory Group, please contact: gwenda.matthews@wjec.co.uk