Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 1:39 pm on 28 September 2016.
Presiding Officer, can I thank the Conservative spokesperson for his support for the Welsh baccalaureate? I know that he recognises it as an important qualification. The Welsh bac, passed at advanced level, is the equivalent of 120 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service points. That is the equivalent to an A grade, and I met many students over the summer that had gained a place in university courtesy of their Welsh baccalaureate. But the Member is absolutely right: there is more to do with some institutions that do not recognise the rigour in our new reformed Welsh bac. So, as a result of the correspondence I’ve received from you, Darren, my officials will continue to work with UCAS to identify those institutions and particular courses within institutions that do not accept the Welsh bac, and I intend to write to all those institutions to reassure them of the rigour and the policy background behind this important qualification. I would be delighted to visit schools with you that are doing so well in delivering the Welsh baccalaureate.