WJEC sponsors Antiracist Literature Festival
As part of our commitment to ensure that our new Made-for-Wales qualifications are inclusive and reflect diversity, we sponsored and attended the recent Antiracist Education Festival. This thought-provoking event, held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in June, was the perfect opportunity to engage with a range of diversity experts.
Paul Evans, Qualifications Development Officer, said: “We have made a commitment in the development of our new GCSE's to enrich learners’ knowledge and understanding of issues within our society both past and present, which reflects the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales to develop ethical and informed learners. Therefore, our qualifications have been developed to support the push for anti-racist Wales by 2030.
Supporting and attending events like this is essential to ensure that our knowledge and understanding is accurate and up to date and are reflected within our qualifications. ‘Something might not be your fault, but it is still your problem’ was the statement that stuck with me on the day. I was reminded that our qualifications can provide opportunities for teaching and learning about a vibrant and diverse Wales, that is interesting, tolerant and a forward-thinking place to live and work.”
Ensuring inclusivity and representation
Inclusivity has been a central theme in the development of our new qualification. Partnering with DARPL (Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning), we integrated diverse and anti-racist perspectives from the outset. This collaborative effort ensured that our qualifications not only meet rigorous academic standards but also celebrate the rich diversity of experiences and backgrounds among learners across Wales.
At the outset, we engaged an anti-racist consultant who guided us through the process, contributing to the development of a tailored training program for everyone involved in the qualification development. Their insights and involvement in our stakeholder group played a pivotal role in shaping decisions on text and coverage, ensuring our qualifications authentically reflect and embrace inclusivity.
Learn more about the measures we’re implementing to ensure our new suite of GCSEs and related qualifications actively incorporate diversity, inclusion, and belonging here: Made-for-Wales: Reflecting diversity, inclusivity and belonging. (wjec.co.uk)
About the Festival
The inaugural Antiracist Education Festival, organised by BAMEed Wales (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic), is a pioneering event dedicated to promoting antiracist education. The event brought together a vibrant group of authors and attendees to engage in a day full of antiracist dialogue, with the aim to educate, challenge, and inspire.
The festival programme included a series of workshops with impactful speech and performances, designed to foster cultural competence, amplify diverse voices, and build an inclusive anti-racist community across Wales.
Professor David Olusoga, historian, broadcaster, and author, was one of the keynote speakers. His emotive speech emphasised that the responsibility lies with all of us to ensure Black history is intertwined with British history, rather than being considered a separate entity. Award-winning writer, poet, and actor, Connor Allen, also gave a poignant reading, enriching understanding and appreciation of diverse narratives.
To keep you up to date with the latest news, opportunities and FAQs regarding the new GCSEs and related qualifications, visit our ‘Made-for-Wales’ web area. This area hosts a wealth of material, including an introduction to our Qualification Development Team who are leading the creation of the new qualifications.