• young artistic talent - the pick of the crop • WJEC out and about in

• young artistic talent - the pick of the crop • WJEC out and about in

England edition 2013/14
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Introduction
ction
Gareth Pierce, WJEC Chief Executive
Change all around
Au revoir Derec Stockley
As the qualifications world goes through a
transformation, WJEC’s internal landscape
has also seen quite a change. After
working at WJEC for over two decades,
Derec Stockley, Director of Qualifications &
Assessment, has left our Llandaff offices for
the last time and is enjoying retirement at
his family home in Brittany.
Derec joined WJEC in 1989, initially as subject officer for modern
foreign languages and Welsh second language. He was
promoted to the post of Assistant Director for Compliance in 1999
and became Director of Examinations and Assessment in 2001.
As for several other recent editions of our Bulletin, we are
preparing this one at a time when further change is being
planned. At WJEC, our aim is to contribute to the shaping
of qualifications policy in ways that will benefit learners
and then deliver first class qualifications. Our staff remain
committed to working with schools and colleges as the
reforms move towards implementation and our provision
will be fully aligned with the government and regulatory
requirements for England.
Although other policy options were considered by
government in 2012, we expect GCSEs to remain as
the overarching brand for general qualifications at Key
Stage 4 in England. As one of the UK’s largest providers
of these qualifications, WJEC is fully engaged with the
Department for Education, Ofqual and other stakeholders
in ensuring that the changes planned for 2015 and
onwards will provide young people with world class
qualifications valued and recognised by employers and
universities in the UK and beyond.
At the time of writing, several aspects of A level reform
are still under discussion with policy making and
regulatory colleagues; the emerging picture is one of
phased reform from 2015 onwards. Before then, January
assessment will have disappeared so that teaching and
learning for AS and A2 will, from September 2013, be
focused solely on linear assessment. WJEC has already
been engaging with a wide range of contributors from
the HE sector to inform our contribution to the policy
process and to develop our new specifications to ensure
that they align with the new requirements and fully meet
the needs of young people.
In this edition of WJEC’s annual bulletin, we aim to show
you some of the ways we are continuing to develop
quality specifications and innovative resources as well
as provide a snapshot of some of the other work we do at
WJEC to support teachers and students.
Contents
Introduction
Change all round
WJEC online
Changes to GCSEs and A levels
New subject officers
WJEC’s vocational pathways
Out and about in England
A day in the life of... Kirsten Wilcock
Three heads of department, three centres, one choice
Create and celebrate!
A level awards
WJEC contacts
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Derec ably steered WJEC though times of unprecedented
change in national assessment requirements, ensuring first
class WJEC support for examination centres. During his time as
Director, the number of candidates entering exams with WJEC
more than doubled. We greatly value Derec’s exceptional
contribution over the years and wish him all the best in his
retirement.
Welcome Jo Richards and Elizabeth Arthur
Derec’s role has been split into two parts,
reflecting changing needs and demands.
In her new role as Director of Assessment
Delivery at WJEC, Jo Richards will oversee
question paper design and development,
lead on issues relating to awarding
and research _ working closely with
the regulators to ensure comparability
of standards - and manage the operational aspects of our
centre relationships. Jo aims to maintain and enhance WJEC’s
reputation as a key provider of qualifications, resources and
support for schools, teachers and students.
Jo’s career began with a maths degree at Birmingham
University, followed by a PGCE course and MA Ed in Swansea.
She taught mathematics and statistics at St David’s Sixth Form
College in Cardiff and a private boys’ school in Australia before
undertaking a secondment as a project manager at the Welsh
Assembly. Jo joined WJEC as Head of Research in 2010.
Elizabeth Arthur joined WJEC in 2013
to take on the new role of Director of
Qualifications. After graduating with a BSc
Econ in Cardiff, Elizabeth qualified as a
teacher and spent 20 years in the FE sector
in south Wales, lecturing then progressing
to a cross-college managerial role. She
has worked in schools and work-based
learning, and spent five years as an HMI at
Estyn, the Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.
Before joining WJEC Elizabeth was Head of Curriculum and
Personal Development for the Education Achievement Service
in the SE Wales Consortium, a group of five local authorities
delivering school improvement services to schools.
Elizabeth’s interests include accessibility and achievement for
students, whether they follow academic or vocational routes.
She has a particular interest in the impact of PISA assessment on
young people’s learning. She believes educationalists in the UK
should explore different practices in other countries in order to
inform curriculum development.
Acknowledgements
Contributors: Gareth Pierce, Mike Ebbsworth, Dafydd Watcyn Williams, Sandra Anstey,
Ian Gillam, Julia Harrison, Kirsten Wilcock, Brigid O’Regan, Mike Richards, Mark Lambe,
Sue Edwards, Lucy Hopkins, Betsan Jones, Stephen Oliver, Hugh Lester, Mererid Morgan.
Photographers: Simon Ridgway, Tim Woodier, Geraint Todd, Michael Wheeler, Ian Wheeler.
Written and edited by: Dafydd Wyn and Ceri Thomas. Design: WJEC Services.
Cover image: Photograph by Tim Woodier of work by Wei Zhang of University of Wales,
Newport: entry for WJEC’s 2012 Foundation Excellence Awards.
WJEC online
WJEC continues to invest in digital technology and expertise,
in order to provide teachers and students with an everexpanding range of online resources to support our spectrum of
qualifications.
Examples of online materials produced this year are shown
below, and also on page 10 of Bulletin, where we introduce
Lightbox, our new Art and Design website.
GCSE Science: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
For the separate GCSE science options, we have produced a
set of detailed digital notes for students, featuring colourful
diagrams, exemplar questions with answers and hyperlinks to
further information available from external websites.
The notes can be downloaded from the documents sections
(resources for students) of the website, for example
www.wjec.co.uk/biologygcse
Online CPD developments
We are developing online methods of delivering the examination
feedback element of Continuing Professional Development, as it
is no longer possible for awarding organisations to provide this in
face-to-face training sessions. Our new interactive materials will
lead teachers through thought-provoking activities to promote
more effective teaching, and will be available on
www.wjec.co.uk from September 2013 onwards.
NGfL Cymru
Following the Welsh Government’s decision to establish a new
learning platform for Wales, WJEC’s contract to run NGfL Cymru
came to an end in March 2013. It is the end of a very productive
era for the thousands of teachers and students worldwide who
used NGfL Cymru’s interactive online resources for 3 to 19 year
olds – up to 50,000 visitors a day in recent months.
The good news is that the NGfL Cymru team has been working
with the team now responsible for Hwb - the new all-Wales
learning platform – to move all the NGfL Cymru resources and
learning materials to the new platform – hwb.wales.gov.uk
So all the resources created by NGfL Cymru over the past ten
years will still be available to teachers and students.
In its last year, NGfL Cymru developed over 200 new resources,
focusing on literacy and numeracy, with a number of the
packages supporting WJEC’s specifications. Among these were
a starting pack for GCSE Computing; resources for teaching
Chemistry from Key Stage 3 to A level and materials for studying
film, oracy and poetry appreciation for A level Welsh as a
second language.
GCE Religious Studies
Nine digital course books have been developed to support
WJEC’s A level Religious Studies specification. They are in PDF
form which can easily be downloaded to both PC and mobile
platforms, and are available to teachers at registered centres
from our secure website – www.wjecservices.co.uk
Level 3 QCF Pathways Criminology
A portfolio of interactive presentations has been developed to
assist with teaching WJEC’s level 3 Criminology qualification. It
contains drag and drop activities, scenarios and links to further
reading. The files can be used as they are, or integrated into
presentations, using familiar technologies.
Coming soon…..
We are developing a new open-access resources section for
WJEC’s website, which will be available from autumn 2013
onwards at www.wjec.co.uk/resources
For more information about the development of WJEC resources,
please contact Mike Ebbsworth, Assistant Director Educational
Support, on [email protected] or 029 2026 5339.
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Changes to GCSEs and
A levels
Subjects to change
English Baccalaureate
In recent months there has been much discussion about
proposed changes to GCSEs and A Levels in England.
Ofqual has recently confirmed that a number of subjects
will be developed by awarding organisations so that they
are ready for teaching in September 2015.
From 2014, four additional WJEC qualifications will be
recognised by the DfE within the EBacc performance
measure: Level 1/2 Certificates in English Language
and in English Literature and Level 2 Certificates in Latin
Language and Latin Language and Roman Civilisation.
Further information is available at
www.wjec.co.uk/english and www.wjec.co.uk/latin
The GCSE subjects to follow this timeline are: English
Language; English Literature; Mathematics; Biology;
Chemistry; Physics; Combined Science; History and
Geography. At A level, the list is longer: English
(Language, Literature plus Language & Literature);
Mathematics; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; History;
Geography; Art & Design; Business Studies; Computing;
Economics; Psychology and Sociology.
Ofqual has outlined some details of these new qualifications
- for example, they will be linear - but there are many
other details that have not yet been clarified, including the
balance of internal and external assessment.
WJEC in England
In preparation for the changes, WJEC has been working
closely with teachers, examiners and colleagues in higher
education to ensure that we have a firm basis for the work
ahead. For example, in autumn 2012 we strengthened our
links with universities through a series of subject-specific
meetings, gathering views on ways of developing our A
level specifications.
WJEC has also contributed to discussions and written
consultations, in common with other awarding
organisations working in England. These have included
the A Level Reform Consultation (produced by Ofqual;
deadline October 2012) and Reforming Key Stage 4
Qualifications (produced by the Department for Education;
deadline December 2012).
Further details about the new qualifications will feature
on our website as soon as they are available. Teachers in
particular are encouraged to sign up to subject-specific
e-mail updates on the subject pages of our website – www.
wjec.co.uk
GCSE Computer Science
WJEC’s new linear GCSE Computer Science qualification,
developed in response to recent reports from The Royal
Society and the Computing in Schools Working Group, has
been accredited and became available for teaching in
September 2012, for first assessment in summer 2014.
Students can learn how computers work, and to create
computer programs for real-life purposes, based on their
own interests.
More details can be found on
www.wjec.co.uk/computerscience
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New subject officers
Ian Gillam has been appointed
to replace Ian Carey as
WJEC’s subject officer with
responsibility for Computing,
Computer Science and ICT
qualifications.
Ian, who grew up in the
Rhondda in south Wales,
graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry from the University
of Liverpool before qualifying as a secondary school
teacher. He started teaching ICT at Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari
in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 1998 and was promoted to
Head of Computing and ICT in 2006.
Ian has worked as a moderator for WJEC at A level and
is now looking forward to introducing WJEC’s new GCSE
in Computer Science to schools and colleges, as well
as developing his interest in producing virtual learning
environment content and distance learning materials.
In his spare time Ian enjoys reading, running and the
gym, but spare time has been at a premium in the past
year, with the arrival of his baby daughter, Maia.
Julia Harrison, WJEC’s new
subject officer for English Entry
Level, level 1/ 2 Certificate and
Functional Skills, graduated
with a degree in English
Language and Literature
from Liverpool University
before moving to Cardiff and
doing her PGCE at Swansea
University. Julia then taught at Radyr Comprehensive for
6 years before taking a year’s sabbatical to go travelling
around the world.
On her return to the UK Julia took on a variety of roles
including co-ordinator for more able and talented pupils,
assistant head of years 7 to 11, second in department
and literacy co-ordinator. She also produced a range of
resources with Cardiff County Council Advisory Service to
help support the teaching of the then new WJEC English
Language and Literature A Level.
Julia joined WJEC full time in September 2012. In her
spare time she enjoys walking her dog Charlie Barker,
spending time with friends and buying shoes.
WJEC’s
vocational pathways
QCF qualifications
The Pathways qualifications, designed to fit the
government’s Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF), include Modern Languages (Entry 3, level 1 and
level 2); Applied Science and Science for Work (level
1 and 2); Criminology, Food Science & Nutrition and
Statistical Problem Solving using Software (all at level 3);
and the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (level 3
and 4).
The Certificate in
Statistical Problem
Solving Using
Software was
accredited in 2012.
It was developed
in collaboration
with Mathematics
in Education and
Industry (MEI) and
the Royal Statistical
Society Centre for
Statistical Education
(RSSCSE), and
answers many of
the issues raised in a
2011 study on maths
in the workplace and
in higher education.
Professor Neville Davies, director of the RSSCSE, described
the new Certificate as “an excellent qualification for
students to gain recognition for investigations carried out
while studying geography, sociology, psychology and
other subjects at level 3 that use or produce data”.
At King Edward VI Sixth Form College, Stourbridge,
Lee Swain and Danielle Fogg, teachers of A level
geography and psychology respectively, have piloted
the qualification with nine of their students. They plan to
extend provision in future years to potentially over 100
students in different subject areas, in order to help them
move successfully onto degree programmes.
Lee and Danielle feel that the students are benefiting
from studying the qualification: they have “much greater
confidence in identifying types of data, in selecting
appropriate forms and techniques of data presentation
and analysis, and they have a greater appreciation of
the ‘problem solving cycle’.”
New level 1 and 2 courses
A range of new level 1 and 2 vocational qualifications
are in the pipeline, mainly to meet the demand for
courses for 14-16 year olds, and several have already
been accredited. The Creative and Media Award and
Certificate are available for teaching from September
2013; Award qualifications in the remaining subjects will
be available from September 2014.
Level 1 and 2 qualifications
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
Level
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
Award Creative and Media *
Certificate in Creative and Media*
Award in Engineering *
Award in Retail Business *
Award in Tourism (awaiting accreditation)
Award in Sport
Award in Construction
Certificate in Construction
Diploma in Construction
Certificate in Engineering
Diploma in Engineering
Certificate in Retail Business
Diploma in Retail Business
*already accredited (May 2013)
The new qualifications have been written with experts in
the various sectors and industries to enable students to
learn through tasks relevant to the workplace.
Level 1 / 2 Retail Business
The level 1 and 2 Award in Retail Business exemplifies
WJEC’s approach in developing the new qualifications,
alongside teams of experienced teachers. An important
feature is the holistic, summative approach to assessment,
designed to mirror the way real-life experience is built up,
rather than offering compartmentalised tests.
Flexibility is built into the structure, combining levels 1
and 2 in the specifications, so that mixed ability classes
can be taught, and entries made for levels 1 and 2
together, with the students’ outcomes determining
whether they gain level 1 or 2 qualifications at the end of
the course.
“We’re aiming to offer exciting qualifications for students
to enable them to learn through tasks set in contexts with
many of the characteristics of real work or actually set
within the workplace,” explains Brigid O’Regan, WJEC’s
Assistant Director responsible for the Skills and Pathways
qualifications. “We’re also keen to give teachers the
resources they need to deliver the courses effectively,”
Further information about these qualifications, and the
new Level 3 Environmental Science qualification, for
teaching from September 2014, can be found on
www.wjec.co.uk/pathways Teachers can also sign up
to e-mail updates on subject-specific pages of WJEC’s
website – www.wjec.co.uk
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Out and about in
England
Bett Show
Education Select Committee
At the Bett Show, the Learning Technology Show held in the
London Docklands’ ExCel centre at the end of January, visitors
wanted above all to hear the message writ large on WJEC’s
exhibition panels. A good opportunity for us to meet teachers
and share information about their needs and our new provision
_ coming in autumn 2013 at www.wjec.co.uk/resources
Chief Executive Gareth Pierce enjoyed his grilling under the
spotlight at the Select Committee in Portcullis House in March.
The topic under discussion – GCSE English – quickly became
extremely technical, with Gareth and OCR’s Mark Dawe
providing forensically detailed clarification on UMS marks
and related issues, which could explain why the number of
honourable members queuing up to quiz them was a little
smaller than on their previous, pre-Christmas appearance in
front of the Committee.
Education Show
WJEC England Advisory Group
The NEC in Birmingham seemed to be buzzing with interest from
secondary school teachers this year, even more so than last
year, when numbers were a little lower. Contacts came from as
far afield as Romania, and questions ranged from “What Entry
qualifications is WJEC offering now” to “Can I have another pink
biro for my student / daughter / granny.”
Westminster Forum
In November, WJEC attended a meeting of the Westminster
Forum, in the elegant surroundings of the Glaziers Hall near
London Bridge. The subject under discussion was: The end
of GCSEs - the future for examinations at 16 and the English
Baccalaureate. We were glad to contribute to lively discussion in
a packed hall about this most contentious of issues. Space does
not allow a full report, but, to coin a cliché, this one will run and
run….
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Our much-travelled stakeholder advisory group for England
celebrates its second birthday in 2013. Meetings to date have
been held in London, Cardiff, Birmingham and Bristol, with
subjects discussed ranging from Key Stage 4 and A level
reform to WJEC’s plans for supporting teachers with new online
resources. Group members represent private and maintained
secondary schools, further and higher education, exam officers
and teaching unions.
ASE Conference
The Association of Science Education’s annual event, held this
year in Reading, was a chance for Helen Francis, head of WJEC’s
science and mathematics team, to network with teachers from
our growing number of centres in England. Helen and her team
were promoting WJEC’s Science and Applied Science GCSEs,
AS/A levels and Pathways QCF qualifications. The response
from delegates, some unfamiliar with WJEC, was encouraging.
A day in the life of...
Kirsten Wilcock, leader of WJEC’s languages team
WJEC’s English subject team, with Kirsten sitting on the far right and Fleur fourth from the right
It’s 07.11 on a grey morning in Cardiff; the usual cup of rooibos
tea is on my desk, twenty-two emails came in overnight and
I’m staring at a pile of controlled assessment notes forwarded
by moderators that need to be followed up with centres. A
fairly standard start to a day for WJEC’s languages domain, the
team responsible for our English and modern foreign language
qualifications - supporting and guiding centres, examiners and
moderators, and currently preparing for the development of GCE
and GCSE that we are anticipating in the autumn term.
As languages team leader I am usually occupied with
operational and strategic meetings, ensuring we provide the best
possible support to centres working with WJEC, alongside my
“subject officer” responsibilities for GCSE English. But today finds
me with a slightly different hat on. Today, I am the editor of i.e.
i.e., or inside english, is WJEC’s termly online English magazine
launched in Spring 2012 to provide English teachers with
information, suggestions for teaching, updates and news, as
well as features relating to WJEC’s English qualifications, such
as interviews with writers like Owen Sheers. Dedicated pages for
GCE, GCSE, Functional Skills and Entry Level sit alongside more
general information like key dates and theatre listings that we
hope will be of interest to the 3,000 plus recipients of WJEC’s
English e-bulletins.
My job today is to review the submissions that we have had so
far for the Summer 2013 edition and write the Editor’s Comment
before handing over to our co-ordinator, Fleur Andrews, who
will liaise with colleagues about the design and layout of the
magazine. Most important in this edition is the launch of WJEC’s
Inspire Me! writing competition for 14-19 year-olds running from
May until September 2013, which we are very excited about
and hope will engage teachers and students. The shortlisted
pieces will be published in i.e.; an impressive claim for any
young person to be a ‘published writer’!
We are keen to ensure that the magazine is a collaborative
effort, and that its main features are written by English teachers.
We are always very grateful for contributions sharing good
practice or classroom experiences. If you would like to write an
article, or share a few pithy top tips, do get in touch with me or
one of my colleagues on [email protected]
I will enjoy the variety of the tasks ahead today. Tomorrow I’ll
need my subject officer hat firmly in place again, to consider the
National Literacy Framework in Wales.
i.e. can be accessed via the English pages on the WJEC website:
www.wjec.co.uk/english Details about the Inspire Me! writing
competition can also be found here.
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Three department heads,
Three heads of department in England, teaching three
different subjects at GCSE or A level, have shared with us
their experience of working with WJEC over the past few
years.
We asked Dr Mike Richards, head of biology at Peter
Symonds Sixth Form College, Winchester, Sue Edwards,
head of geography at Watford Girls’ Grammar School
and Mark Lambe, head of religious studies at Ashton
Sixth Form College in Tameside, why they chose WJEC
specifications and how they are enjoying (or not!) their
work with WJEC.
Dr Mike Richards
Peter Symonds Sixth Form College, Winchester
About 1,000 sixth formers at Peter Symonds College
study Biology – around a third of the 2,900 students from
a catchment area which includes half of Hampshire
and the Falkland Islands. Accolades for the Biology
department’s work include glowing Ofsted reports
(always at Grade 1) and last year’s “Best Performing
School” prize in the International Biology Olympiad.
teaching time could be spread evenly throughout the
year, making lesson planning more straightforward.
“I’m sorry I didn’t change to WJEC earlier” said Mike
(unprompted!) One reason for not doing so when A level
specifications changed in 2008 was that WJEC’s included
essay questions, which he thought students wouldn’t
like. As it turned out, essay questions have proved very
popular, particularly among the more diligent students,
who feel they are given a chance to shine by showing
what they know.
We wondered if Mike would back
up our own views about WJEC’s
USP – that our subject specialists
are happy to be contacted for
personal advice. Fortunately,
a couple of days ago Mike had
emailed Liane Adams, our biology
subject officer, with a query. The
reply came back by return “like
an internal e-mail here”.
In the interests of impartiality, we
asked Mike if he had any problems with WJEC. “Well,”
he replied, “we do have some reservations about your
specification, and we’ll make some suggestions when you
re-develop it next time. But on the whole, we feel very
positive. And if we have suggestions, we’re confident that
you’ll listen to us”.
And so we will Mike, so we will.
Sue Edwards
Watford Girls’ Grammar School
Peter Symonds College’s Biology Olympiad team 2012 - winners of the “Best School in
the UK” award.
As head of biology, Dr Mike Richards leads a department
of 14 academic staff and 5 technicians. After completing
his PhD in entomology at Birmingham University, Mike
taught for a year in outdoor education before taking a
job in a sixth form college to undertake his probationary
year. He stayed in the sector a little longer, and has been
a head of department since 1990.
We asked Mike why he had chosen to move, mid-course,
to WJEC’s A level Biology specification. The response was
surprisingly specific: for a large student body, WJEC’s
coursework was simpler to administer, allowing the
college to do the best for each individual student. The
structure of WJEC’s course was also better suited to the
college’s term times. Units of equal size meant that the
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Sue Edwards is head of geography
at Watford Girls’ Grammar School,
a partially selective and very
academic school of 1,300 girls,
with 400 in the sixth form. An
Ofsted “Outstanding” academy,
Watford Girls Grammar’s head
teacher is Helen Hyde, who was
made a Dame in the 2013 New
Year honours list, for services to
education.
Sue, originally from Liverpool, has been head of
department at Watford since 1998, 18 months after
joining the school in her second teaching post after
leaving Nottingham University, where she gained her first
degree and teaching qualification.
Sue’s links with WJEC date back to 2008, when she saw
a flyer on WJEC’s new A level in World Development
and persuaded the school to start teaching the subject.
World Development appealed because of its topical
coverage of issues such as climate change, global
three centres, one choice
development and sustainability and its relevance to
geography. Sue commented that “the students who
choose World Development tend to do very well; they
are taught in small groups, although the subject is
growing in popularity, and most girls, regardless of GCSE
background, achieve A* and A grades.”
Ashton College, situated in one of the most economically
deprived areas in England, is something of a religious
studies subject hub in many ways. It is one of four
colleges meeting together once a year in an RS discussion
forum, all taking the subject with WJEC. It is also the
North West hub for Theology for Oxford University’s
Pembroke College, part of a scheme designed to
encourage students from poorer areas to apply to Oxford.
Mark’s own academic path was not entirely
straightforward. An economics and theology degree from
Nottingham Trent University led him to a share-dealing
graduate traineeship in a bank, where he lasted three
and a half years before finding his niche in teaching.
After nearly 15 years as head of department at Ashton
College, he has no regrets. “The mix of creativity and
working with students keeps the mind sharp,” he says.
“I’m less keen on the admin, but I love the students.”
Geography fieldwork with pupils from Watford Grammar School for Girls
When non-core GCSE specifications changed in 2009,
the school considered WJEC’s geography specifications
alongside those of the seven others available. WJEC’s
more traditional Specification A appealed, partly because
of its relevant and contemporary nature and partly
because of its structure, which suited the department’s
teaching patterns. The flexibility offered by the use of
generic titles for controlled assessment was useful, as was
the decision-making controlled assessment task which
allowed the girls to develop higher level skills.
As someone who is closely involved in a number of
roles with WJEC’s moderation arrangements, Sue finds
it difficult to think of disadvantages to working with
WJEC. “If I need to know anything, Andy (WJEC’s
GCSE geography subject officer) gives me a clear and
considered answer” she comments. “He knows a lot of
teachers by name, and he’s always on hand to give
advice.”
Mark Lambe
Ashton Sixth Form College
Mark Lambe’s commitment to religious studies is clear
from the enthusiasm with which the subject is introduced
to potential students at Ashton Sixth Form College in
Tameside. They are offered the chance to explore
“fascinating questions that have puzzled humankind
since the dawn of time.” Who could resist?
Mark is head of a religious studies department of
three, currently teaching 200 AS and A level students.
There were no regrets either after the move to WJEC
in September 2008. Mark considered all the A level
specifications available at the time, arrived at a
shortlist of two, and decided on WJEC when he rang for
information and “got through straight away” to Tudor
Thomas, WJEC’s religious studies subject specialist, and
had a “wonderful chat.”
Mark Lambe with A level students
For professional reasons, Mark also decided to become
an examiner with WJEC. He regards this experience as
“hugely important” for teachers, from a professional point
of view. “Marking helps us understand the processes
better, it enables us to let students know exactly
what happens to their exam scripts, and it gives us
an opportunity to build support networks with fellow
teachers, to share and discuss RS issues,” he explains.
As for Tudor Thomas, he describes the North West as a
“hotspot” for WJEC’s religious studies provision. And our
hope is that, where Mark Lambe and other colleagues
are paving the way, many others will follow!
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Create and celebrate!
Art & design excellence
Michael Brand from University of Wales, Newport received a
prize for his striking, framed light photographs.
WJEC celebrated the creative achievements generated
by Diploma Foundation Studies Art & Design (FAD) courses
throughout England and Wales with an exhibition at Howard
Gardens Gallery, Cardiff in September 2012.
The exhibition, sponsored by Barclays, showcased work by some
of the most talented young artists taking part in FAD courses and
highlighted the professional levels attained in disciplines such as
painting, sculpture, graphics and fashion.
FAD has a distinguished history. Julien Macdonald, David
Hockney and Andy Goldsworthy are among the artists and
designers who began their careers with the course, and
acknowledge its immense influence on their work.
Nia Hendry, from Swansea Metropolitan University was
commended for her 35 beautifully crafted brushes and tools
accompanied by two handmade drawing books.
And the winner was...
WJEC’s 2012 Foundation Excellence Award – with a £150
cheque and certificate - was won by Owain McGilvary, a
student from Coleg Menai in Gwynedd, north Wales, with the
expressive semi-abstract painting shown above. Owain, from
Llangefni in Anglesey, is currently studying fine art in Central
Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design in London and hopes to
teach the foundation course after graduating.
The judging panel at the exhibition included artist Keith Bowen,
WJEC principal moderator Hedley Jones and chair of examiners
David Hooper, who were delighted at the “shockingly good”
standard and the variety of work exhibited. All the pieces
were created by twenty five students nominated by fourteen
participating colleges and universities in Wales and England.
Highly commended
Further details about WJEC’s Foundation Art and Design course
can be found at www.wjec.co.uk/fad
Three prizes of £50 and a certificate each were awarded to
students whose work was highly commended.
Lightbox
R. Noke, studying at the University of Glamorgan, was
recognised for her intricate pen and ink drawings.
Lightbox, a new online resource to support teachers and students
with GCSE and A level Art and Design, has been developed
in a unique collaboration between the education and creative
sectors.
WJEC and Ffotogallery, the national development agency for
photography and lens-based media in Wales, have created
Lightbox to help foster a better understanding of contemporary
art practice and its relationship to education, the creative
industries, technology and the changing careers landscape of
the 21st Century.
The resource shows some of the most exciting art and design on
the web and offers practical advice on training, resources and
careers in the arts. There is also a wide range of tools, including
video guides, which clarify WJEC GCE and GCSE Art and Design
assessment criteria and processes. To find out more, visit
www.lightboxresource.co.uk
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Awards for excellence
Pupils in schools and colleges all over England and Wales were
congratulated for their hard work and success in WJEC’s
A level Awards for 2012. From art & design to Welsh, WJEC gave
awards for thirty of its A level subjects based on the highest
marks achieved by students in each individual subject. All
winners received a certificate and a £50 prize.
Full list of A level winners
Here come the girls...
Art, Craft and Design, Beth Elen Roberts, Ysgol David Hughes,
Anglesey
Over two thirds of the awards this year were won by girls.
Magdalene Yin Lin Ting from Cardiff Sixth Form College led
the way by winning two awards, with the highest marks of all
the candidates who sat WJEC’s A level biology and chemistry
examinations in 2012. Magdalene, who is currently reading
medicine at Cambridge University, said:
Biology, Sinthuri Anita Raveendran, Tiffin Girls School, Surrey
“WJEC sets out clear and
comprehensive course specifications
and I feel absolutely honoured to
receive these awards. I wish to extend
an enormous thank you to all the
teaching staff at Cardiff Sixth Form
College for their endless help and
support, as well as to my family back
home and all my peers.”
Art, Craft and Design, Emma Louisa Bennett, The Grange School,
Cheshire
Art, Craft and Design, Samuel Ian Clayton, The Grange School,
Cheshire
Biology, Magdalene Yin Lin Ting, Cardiff Sixth Form College
Business Studies, Edgar Peticenok, John Summers High School,
Queensferry
Chemistry, Magdalene Yin Lin Ting, Cardiff Sixth Form College
Computing, Thomas Matthew Fletcher, Wyggeston and Queen
Elizabeth I College, Leicester
Design and Technology, Emily Rose Elston, Uckfield Community
Technology College
Drama and Theatre, Olivia Hayes, King Edward’s School Bath
English Language, Bethany Sarah Greaves, Truro College
English Literature, Georgina Olivia Kennedy, Sir John Deane’s
College, Northwich
English Literature, Imogen Mary Hamilton-Jones, City Of London
School for Girls
Rachael Kitching from Queen
Elizabeth Sixth Form College,
Darlington, was awarded the highest
mark in WJEC psychology A level in
2012. “I enjoyed the theoretical and
analytical aspects of the course,” she
said. Rachael is now studying law at
Newcastle University; her ultimate goal
is to become a solicitor.
The winner for drama and theatre studies was Olivia Hayes
of King Edward’s School Bath. Since completing her A levels
Olivia has been co-directing a school play and applying for
a university place to study drama. “Receiving this award has
given me the confidence boost I needed to pursue a career in
drama,” she commented.
English Literature and Language, Rochelle Wild, Holy Cross
College, Lancashire
Film Studies, Conor Stewart, Birkenhead Sixth Form College
French, Joseph Amel, St Joseph’s College, Stoke on Trent
Geography, Katherine Davies, Kingswood School, Bath
Geology, Joshua Branch, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
German, Eliana Dreyfus, Frensham Heights, Surrey
Government and Politics, Chloe Halloran, St Michael’s School,
Llanelli
Health and Social Care, Michelle Wooding, Ysgol Glan Clwyd,
St Asaph
History, Angharad Lisa Gilbey, Ysgol Penglais, Aberystwyth
ICT, Molly Gwen Robson, Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron
Law, Arron Paul Jolliffe, Truro College
Mathematics, Qiao Wen Chai, Cardiff Sixth Form College
Mathematics, Steffi Shing Yee Chong, Cardiff Sixth Form College
Mathematics, Jacqueline Ann Harrison, Olchfa School, Swansea
Media Studies, Jacob Tearle, Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form
College
Music, Alexander Knight, St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College,
Cardiff
Physics, Haofeng Xu, Eton College, Windsor
Psychology, Rachael Kitching, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form
College, Darlington
Religious Studies, Lorna Elizabeth Ellis, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni,
Anglesey
Sociology, Nia Grace John, Bassaleg School
Spanish, Allison Schutt, Bacon’s College, London
Jo Johnson, WJEC subject officer for A level drama and theatre studies, presenting the
award to Olivia Hayes, with Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward’s School, Bath
Welsh First Language, Eoin Mahon, Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig,
Aberyswyth
Welsh Second Language, Angharad Chandler, Cardiff High
School
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11
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