About the new system#

The structure of a new qualification system to replace NCEA has been announced which will strengthen the senior secondary pathway, alongside the development of a new senior curriculum.

A first package of changes includes:

• replacing NCEA with a new secondary qualifications system with 2 levels over 2 years at Years 12 and 13
• a move to a subject-based assessment for Years 12 and 13
• a Foundational Award at Year 11
• integrating industry-led subjects into the senior curriculum, providing a single qualification pathway.

Year 11 Foundational Award#

The Foundational Award recognises your child’s achievement in literacy and numeracy at a Year 11 curriculum level, providing them with core skills. During Year 11, your child will be required to study English and Maths.

The full year of assessment currently required in Year 11, NCEA Level 1, will be removed. This reduces the amount of assessment in Year 11 and should enable deeper learning. In turn, this will prepare your child to move into the qualifications in Years 12 and 13.

Year 12 and 13 subject-based qualifications#

There will also be a shift to subject-based qualifications, with industry-led subjects integrated into the senior curriculum, providing a single qualification pathway.

This will give your child the skills and knowledge they need to succeed post-school.

Which system my child will learn under#

Your child will not have to switch systems halfway through school. Changes begin in 2028, and children currently in Year 9 will be the first to be taught under the new system.

In 2028, Year 11 students will be the first to take part in the Foundational Award.

In 2029, Year 12 students and in 2030, Year 13 students will be the first to take part in the new qualifications.

Next steps#

This is the first tranche in the design of the new qualification system. There are some more decisions to come in the coming months. Tranche 2 includes achievement requirements for Year 12 and 13. Whether the Foundational Award is a requirement for the Year 12 and 13 qualifications and more information about how grading is going to work.

There is also potential to introduce Science as a required subject in Year 11. Studying Science in Year 11 can broaden your child's critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

What this means for parents and whānau#

These changes aim to give every young person:

• strong literacy and numeracy
• deeper knowledge in core subjects
• a smoother transition into further study or work
• a qualification that clearly reflects what they’ve learned.

Most importantly, it gives you, as parents and whānau, greater confidence that no matter which school your child attends, they have access to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed beyond school.