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 Vocabulary, spelling, grammar

  1. Social Studies vocabulary

    Assessed: In the exam

    Learners show knowledge and understanding of terms relevant to the study of society (AO1, 25% overall); many sections begin 'Learners should know what is meant by the terms', such as socialisation, digital exclusion and globalisation.

    Literacy: Vocabulary, spelling, grammar, Developing vocabulary

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils keep a glossary of terms such as community, culture and identity, using each in a sentence about life in Aberdare.
    Year 8
    Pupils match terms such as socialisation and social mobility to definitions, then spell and use each one correctly in a short explanation.
    Year 9
    Pupils answer 'what is meant by' questions on terms such as digital exclusion and globalisation in one precise sentence with a Welsh example.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Section 3.1 Assessment objectives, AO1, page 31

    “Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of change, concepts, issues, processes, structures and terms relevant to the study of society.”
    Progression step 3

    • I can use varied, appropriate and precise vocabulary including area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words for different purposes.

    • I can use strategies to correctly spell polysyllabic, complex and irregular words in the context of each area of learning and experience.

    Progression step 4

    • I have experienced a range of area of learning and experience/discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them in my own communication.

    • I can use a variety of strategies and resources to spell familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary and area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words correctly.

    Progression step 5

    • I can use a range of discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary accurately and precisely.

    • I can use strategies to spell discipline-specific and general academic words in appropriate contexts.

    • I have experienced a range of discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them precisely in different contexts.

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).