7. Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee Report: 'Bacc to the Future: The status of the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification'

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:58 pm on 3 July 2019.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 4:58, 3 July 2019

Okay. Well, with all due respect, I've taken the intervention and so it's not about what Michelle has said, it's what I'm saying. And with all due respect, this is what I found taking evidence. We met pupils, we met teachers, we met headteachers, we met parents—we met everybody, and, to be honest, the feedback really surprised me, because I thought it was going to be a lot more positive than it, in fact, turn out to be.

So, four years down the line, the Welsh Government do need to explain in simpler terms what the—I've said all of that [Laughter.]. However, this far in, it must be asked whether it is reasonable to be throwing more money at a qualification that is—and to be fair, it has to be said—strongly disliked by many. Indeed, despite the campaign, I doubt whether there will ever be enough understanding and consistency to make the Welsh bac a success. There's a lot of work to be done here if it continues. For example, you have accepted recommendation 1 and the need for a clearer statement to be underpinned by guidance that details expectations in relation to consistency of delivery, and accepted recommendation 5, but yet you still expect headteachers to use their professional judgment to determine the right learning programme for their learners. 

Clearly, there could continue to be a lack of consistency and clarity, especially with regard to universal adoption.