The Welsh Baccalaureate is based on a Skills Challenge Certificate alongside Supporting Qualifications.
Skills Challenge Certificate (This in equivalent to 1 GCSE)
The Skills Challenge Certificate consists of four components which are followed by all learners. In order to achieve the Skills Challenge Certificate, learners must achieve all four components. The qualification grade is calculated on the basis of the aggregation of the four component scores weighted as below:
Individual Project 50%
Enterprise and Employability Challenge 20%
Global Citizenship Challenge 15%
Community Challenge 15%
The combined outcomes of the four components will determine whether the Skills Challenge Certificate is awarded at National (A*- C) or Foundation (Pass-Pass*) level.
Year 10 Summer Term Global Citizenship Mini Challenge (Christian Aid)
Year 10 Autumn Term Global Citizenship Challenge (Fairtrade)
Year 10 Spring Term Enterprise Mini Challenge
Year 10 Spring Term Enterprise Full Challenge (Tidal Lagoon)
Year 11 Summer Term Community Mini Challenge and Full Challenge (Charity)
Year 11 Autumn Term Individual Project
The revised Welsh Baccalaureate will have a clear focus on the following skills.
- Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Planning and Organisation
- Creativity and Innovation
- Personal Effectiveness
The Supporting Qualifications include two mandatory GCSEs of English Language or Welsh Language together with Mathematics-Numeracy. A further three GCSEs are also required, of which two may be of equivalent qualifications. To meet the National Welsh Baccalaureate requirements all five of the Supporting Qualifications must be achieved at grades A*-C. Similarly, for the Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate the Supporting Qualifications must be achieved at grades A*-G.
The requirements of both the Skills Challenge Certificate and Supporting Qualifications must be met in order to
A feature of the qualification is the entitlement for the experiences and progress of learners to be enhanced and underpinned by regular tutorial support and mentoring. Each learner is allocated a Personal Tutor/Mentor and has an entitlement to regular one to one interviews and individual help, support and guidance.
Individual support and guidance is seen as a key element in the success of learners following the Welsh Baccalaureate. Every learner who follows the Welsh Baccalaureate must be allocated a Personal Tutor/Mentor. This entitlement must be built into the delivery model of the centre. How this is organised within a centre depends on internal arrangements and requirements.
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