1. Purpose
This policy sets out STA’s approach to supporting learners, Approved Training Centres, and assessors in the use of the Welsh language in the delivery and assessment of regulated qualifications. It ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements in Wales and reflects our commitment to promoting the Welsh language in education and assessment.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All qualifications offered by STA that are available in Wales
- All ATCs approved to deliver our qualifications in Wales
- All learners who wish to undertake assessments or receive support in Welsh.
3. Policy Statement
STA is committed to providing fair and equal access to assessment for all learners. Where there is sufficient demand, and where it is practicable, learners will have the right to complete assessments in Welsh. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that assessments and associated materials are available and of equal standard in both Welsh and English.
4. Regulatory Alignment
This policy aligns with the requirements of:
- Qualifications Wales – Standard Conditions of Recognition. Qualifications Wales’ Condition D9 states that an awarding body must publish, maintain, and comply with a policy statement which specifies whether it makes available, or proposes to make available qualifications in Welsh.
5. Implementation
STA will:
- STA provides some qualifications in the Welsh language. STA will develop and maintain Welsh language versions of assessment materials where there is sufficient demand and where it is commercially viable, including the availability of funding for translation and other costs
- Ensure translation processes maintain accuracy, consistency, and parity of meaning between English and Welsh versions
- Provide any relevant training, standardisation, and ATC guidance materials in English, unless otherwise agreed and arranged with us in advance
- Ensure systems are in place to record learner preferences for Welsh or English assessment.
6. Approved Training Centre Responsibilities
Approved Training Centres must:
- Offer learners the opportunity to undertake assessments in Welsh where available
- Communicate learner language preferences clearly at registration or assessment entry stage
- Ensure assessors and internal quality assurers are aware of this policy and act in accordance with it
- Maintain accurate records of learner’s language preferences and any related support provided.
7. Translation and Quality Assurance
All translation work will be:
- Conducted by qualified translators familiar with the qualification content and context
- Subject to quality assurance and review by a Welsh-speaking subject specialist, where available
- Monitored to ensure both language versions remain equivalent in meaning and difficulty.
8. Assessment and Moderation
- Assessments in Welsh will be treated equally to those conducted in English
- Moderation, verification, and external quality assurance will include Welsh-medium assessments where applicable
- Any issues relating to Welsh-medium delivery will be reviewed through our standard quality assurance and risk management procedures.
9. Customer Demand
STA will:
- Support in raising awareness of qualifications that are made available in Welsh
- Understand the resources needed to support the assessments
- Understand the demand for assessment in Welsh.
10. Monitoring and Review
- This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by regulatory changes
- Feedback from our ATCs, assessors, and learners will inform continuous improvement of Welsh language provision
- Compliance will be monitored through ATC reviews and audits.
11. Contact and Support
For queries relating to Welsh language assessment, translation requests, or policy implementation, please contact:
STA, Anchor House, Birch St, Walsall, WS2 8HZ
Email: info@sta.co.uk
Telephone: