LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

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GCSE Social Studies

GCSE Social Studies asks learners to summarise and judge the credibility of sources, write extended evaluative answers and communicate findings to a real audience. Numeracy is the statistics of social research: designing questionnaires and samples, calculating mean, median, mode, range and percentages, drawing graphs and spotting weak data presentation. The single biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is the habit of reading any source or chart critically, asking who made it, when and why, before using it as evidence.

Awarding body
WJEC
Level
Level 1 and Level 2
First taught
September 2026
Amount of literacy work
High
Amount of numeracy work
Medium
Specification
Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
  • Unit 1: Society and Social Issues: Written examination 1 hour 15 minutes, 30%, 60 marks
  • Unit 2: Investigating Society and Social Issues: NEA 6 hours 30 minutes, 20%, 60 marks, set and marked by WJEC
  • Unit 3: Social Change in Contemporary Society: Written examination 1 hour 15 minutes, 30%, 60 marks
  • Unit 4: Planning to Effect Social Change: NEA 6 hours 30 minutes, 20%, 60 marks, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC

Skills that use Clarity and vocabulary

  1. Communicating findings to an audience

    Assessed: In coursework (non-examination assessment, NEA)

    Learners create an artefact such as an email, blog post, research poster or speech that follows an appropriate format, communicates effectively and reflects the sources and their own primary data.

    Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Purpose, Clarity and vocabulary, Connectives and syntax

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils turn class survey findings on screen time into a short, polite email to the headteacher with one clear request.
    Year 8
    Pupils make a research poster on recycling in school for a Year 6 audience, showing one chart and three key findings.
    Year 9
    Pupils write a blog post or short speech to a local councillor that uses figures from their own survey and two sources to argue for a change.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, Section 2.3.2 Creating an artefact to communicate data about a social issue, page 20

    “create an artefact to communicate information gained from sources and primary data collection, for example:”
    Progression step 3

    • I can adapt my writing style and structure to suit the audience, purpose and context, e.g. suitable balance between facts and viewpoints, a precise conclusion.

    • I can organise talk so that different audiences in different contexts can follow what is being said, including using formal language.

    Progression step 4

    • I can adapt my writing style, choosing and using the best structures for different contexts and purposes, e.g. to successfully describe, explain, persuade, discuss.

    • I can speak clearly, selecting and adapting my language appropriately for a range of audiences and purposes, conveying meaning effectively to the audience.

    Progression step 5

    • I can show sustained awareness of different readers by selecting from a range of styles and structures, and adapting my use of language confidently.

    • I can summarise confidently, adapting style and form for the reader or intended audience and purpose for writing.

    • I can present ideas and issues to meet the demands of different audiences.

Good to know

Links with other qualifications

Appendix A (page 37) maps Developing Mathematical Proficiency, the number system and statistics strands to all four units, with geometry and measurement in Units 1 and 3 only.

Source: WJEC GCSE Social Studies specification, Version 2, October 2025 (teaching from 2026, for award from 2028).