Abstract

In 2001 the National Assembly of Wales agreed to run a six-year pilot of the 16–18 Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, based on a model of compulsory core plus options, with 31 schools and colleges across Wales participating in three phased cohorts. The Welsh Baccalaureate has been developed by the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC), with the University of Bath responsible for internal evaluation throughout. This article by the internal evaluators discusses a number of issues arising from the pilot phase, with particular emphasis on issues likely to be of relevance after rollout in September 2007. Following consideration of the background and context to development of the new qualification, the article discusses issues relating to the nature of the evaluation, acceptability of the new qualification by a number of different stakeholders, marketing and promotion, and management and organization within schools and colleges. Also considered are issues relating to staff training and support, funding, and a number of curricular challenges including the role of key skills as a central part of the compulsory core, student support, and student attainment and progression. The article closes by discussing implications of the issues arising for policy-making more broadly.

How to Cite:

Hayden, M. & Thompson, J., (2007) “Policy-making in Practice: Issues Arising from Evaluation of the Welsh Baccalaureate”, Wales Journal of Education 14(1), 85-99.