Introduction to the WJEC Certificates in Latin

Why WJEC Certificates?

Modelled on English and English Literature:• Two qualifications• Two grades• Two sets of league table point scores

• Same examining team as legacy GCSE• Fully recognised by universities • Free resources for language, civilisation and

literature• Extremely flexible• Very close fit to the CLC

Background

Drop-out rate from KS3 to KS4 is 76%

Majority of students who study Latin receive no qualification

Significant increase in number of schools offering Latin

Number of students entering GCSE continues to fall

Class sizes very low: departments at risk

Background

Single Award GCSEs estimated at 120-140 ‘Guided Learning Hours’

Survey indicates average time spent by schools on GCSE Latin is 272 hours

– Comprehensive: 212– Independent: 288– Grammar: 290

Current Latin GCSE content takes double the time permitted for a Latin GCSE.

Possible models

English: English Language and English Literature

Science: Science, Additional Science, Phys/Chem/Biol

Maths: Piloting of ‘linked pair’ Maths

App GCSE: Single and Double Award

MFL: Languages Ladder/Asset Languages

Solution

Divide content into two qualifications, each expected to take 120-140 hours contact time:

Latin Language and Latin Literature.

Students with 2 years may study language (with culture option); students with more time may also study literature.

Culture alongside language rather than literature.

Create flexibility and teacher choice through controlled assessment.

School responses

Survey of all UK schools with Latin in Sept. 2008. Response rate: 38%

79% of Headteachers (73% in independent schools, 89% in state schools) said they would either allow or encourage their Head of Latin to enter their students for the Level 2 examinations;

74% of Heads of Latin (64% in independent schools, 84% in state schools) said they would be likely to enter students for at least one of the exams.

Why not ‘GCSE’?

QCDA accreditation timetable

Latin GCSE subject criteria:– language content: 45% - 55%– literature/culture content: 45% - 55%– controlled assessment not permitted– Tiered (A* - D and C – G)

National Qualifications Framework

Level 3 A levels

IB

Pre-U

Level 2 GCSE grades A*-C

Level 2 Certificates (IGCSEs)

Pre-A

Level 1 GCSE grades D-G

Level 1 Certificates (IGCSEs)

Entry Level Entry Level Certificates

WJEC Certificates in Latin

Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation

– Core Latin Language (67%)– Roman Civilisation (33%)

Certificate in Latin Language– Core Latin Language (67%)– Additional Latin Language (33%)

Certificate in Latin Literature– Themed Literature (50%)– Narrative Literature (50%)– Teacher’s selection (50%)

Material covered

Level 1 Level 2

Core Lang. CLC Bk II CLC Bk III

Additional Lang.

CLC Bk II CLC Bk V

Roman Civilisation

2 topics 2 topics

Literature 120 lines 240 lines

WJEC Certificates in Latin

Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation

– Core Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk III)

– Roman Civilisation (L1+L2: 2 topics)

Certificate in Latin Language– Core Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk III)

– Additional Latin Language (L1: Bk II; L2: Bk V)

Certificate in Latin Literature– Themed Literature (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines)

– Narrative Literature (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines)

– Teacher’s selection (L1: 60 lines; L2: 120 lines)

Examining team

Examination board: WJEC

Subject officer: Alan Clague

Chief Examiner (Lang.): Ashley Carter

Chief Examiner (L2 Lit.): John Waller

Chief Examiner (L1 Lit.): Jo Lashley

Chief Examiner (Civ.): Meg Thorpe

Subject support: CSCP

Council of University Classical Departments

“The Council of University Classical Departments supports the development of Level 2 Certificates in Latin alternative to the current Latin GCSE. It expects that university Classical departments will treat those who have obtained A, B and C grades in Latin Language in these Level 2 certificates as they would treat those who have obtained the same grades in Latin GCSE.”

Cambridge Admissions Office

Thank you for your email.

Your students would not be disadvantaged by earning two Level 2 Certificates in Latin Language and Latin Literature, rather than GCSEs.  We can confirm that the A or A* grades in Latin Language and Latin Literature at Level 2 will be viewed in the same way as the same grades in two GCSEs.

I asked one of the Chairs of the Medical Group at the University of Cambridge for their views and they advised that the Level 2 Certificates would indeed be viewed as the same as GCSEs and that provided they achieve the GCSE requirements for Medicine, there should not be an issue. 

University reaction

KCL (Medicine)

I am pleased to advise that the admission tutors are happy to accept these as GCSE equivalents for Medicine and they would therefore be counted in the assessment process.

KCL (Law)

Please note that we accept a Level 2 WJEC certificate in Latin as it is equivalent to a GCSE in Latin.

St. Andrews

All departments at St. Andrews will accept the WJEC Level 2 Latin certificates.

Edinburgh

I can confirm that we treat Level 2 certificates as equivalent to GCSE, i.e. any of our entry requirements that specify GCSEs can be met with Level 2 certificates of equivalent grade. We would treat two Level 2 certificates as if they were two GCSEs, e.g. an applicant with six GCSEs and two Level 2 certificates would be looked at in the same way as an applicant with eight GCSEs.

University reaction

Nottingham

So as far as Nottingham is concerned, the switch should be fine.

Bristol

We are happy to accept 'level 2' certificates in place of GCSEs.

Cambridge

We can confirm that the A or A* grades at Level 2 will be viewed in the same way as the same grades in two GCSEs.

Birmingham (Medicine)

We will certainly accept the Level 2 qualifications in Latin offered by WJEC. The grade achieved will be considered to be exactly equivalent to a GCSE result.

Joint Association of Classical Teachers

“The Joint Association of Classical Teachers welcomes the WJEC initiative in devising a viable alternative route to GCSE level, especially since it embodies considerable flexibility.

With a significant increase in the number of schools showing an interest in Latin and beginning to offer it, this initiative is designed to encourage pupils to pursue the subject to Level 2 and beyond.

These qualifications will create a range of options which will allow pupils to pursue their studies in areas appropriate to their aptitudes and interests, and with due regard to constraints created by available guided learning time.”

Delivery ideas

Possible for schools to prepare candidates only for Certificate in Latin Literature.

More commonlyYears 1 and 2: language/language & civilisation work, culminating in Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation.

Year 3 or Years 3 and 4: further language teaching and preparation for Certificate in Latin Literature.

Regulations

• Level 1 and 2 units may both be taken in the same series (within same timetable slot)

• But Level 1 and 2 cannot be aggregated

• One re-sit per unit/level (like GCSE) – better result to count

• Controlled Assessment set as option against Written Paper (i.e. cannot both be taken in same series)

• Rom Civ and Latin Lit Controlled Assessment may be completed in one academic year and retained for submission in the next (topics/titles must be approved)

WJEC Entry Systems

• 21 Feb (amendments by 21 March) for June series

• 21 Oct for January series• Cash-in entry as well as unit entries needed in

due course• Fees – per unit (£12.78 in 2010)

Results

• Grades A* - C at both Level 1 and Level 2• But ‘Unclassified’ below C• Unit results reported on results slip (lower case

letter grades for units, upper case letter grades for certificates)

• And as UMS mark (/100 for Core Lang; /50 for other units)

WJEC Services

• Main website www.wjec.co.uk• Will include past papers and Examiner Reports in

due course• Secure website https://wjecservices.co.uk• Exam Officers can assign passwords for users• Includes past papers and mark schemes• Moderators’ Reports - feedback provided for

Controlled Assessment

Contact Points

• General enquiries: latin@wjec.co.uk• Subject Officer: claguea@yahoo.co.uk • CSCP resources:

Director@CambridgeSCP.com

Support Materials

• www.wjec.co.uk/latin

• www.CambridgeSCP.com

(in 'Public Examinations' area)