Kirsty Williams AM, Cabinet Secretary for Education
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
On 3 July 2014, my predecessor announced changes to Key Stage 4 school performance measures resulting from the Review of Qualifications, including the introduction of a revised Capped Points Score.
However since then we have commenced work on a new curriculum as part of Successful Futures. We also committed to work with stakeholders to develop a new education accountability system for Wales.
As part of that work we have looked at the recommendations from the Review of Qualifications and whether they now align with our current direction of travel. The view of the task and finish group looking at accountability and discussions with the profession indicate that now is not the time to introduce the revised Capped Points Score as the future headline indicator at the end of compulsory education.
I want to align Key Stage 4 performance measures with the whole approach to be taken with accountability as this emerges from Successful Futures , and will form a reporting system in partnership with stakeholders, one that is appropriate in the reformed curriculum framework and that can be effective in its use towards improving outcomes for individual learners.
Therefore, I have decided that we will no longer focus on the revised Capped Points Score as the headline indicator. Instead, it will be captured as part of the whole suite of Key Stage 4 measures, retaining its additional lens on learner attainment and aiding schools and local authorities in their self-evaluation and improvement planning.
This is in line with the recommendations contained with Successful Futures and will have the positive effect of widening curriculum choice.
I will continue to work and listen to the profession as we further develop our collective work on Successful Futures.