No Welsh GCSE replacement decision until December

Today, the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, announced that the GCSE exam for 16 year old children in England is to be replaced by an English Baccalaureate Certificate (EBacc), with the first courses to begin in September 2015.

However, following this announcement, the Welsh Government have maintained that they won't rush to make a similar decision here in Wales. Instead, they have said any decision on the future of GCSEs here in Wales will be based on the findings of their own review into the exam system.

This decision has prompted concern that Welsh youngsters could be left behind if reform is delayed in Wales. Welsh Conservative MP, Alun Cairns has today expressed his concern that different qualifications in England and Wales could be harmful to Welsh students.

This afternoon, the Welsh Government issued a statement confirming that they 'cannot be rushed' into making a decision, and that the outcome of the educational review will not be released until December at the earliest.

But opinions on the UK Government's decision have been mixed.

Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan has told ITV Wales the UK Government is making a 'big mistake.'

Owain Phillips has the full report: