If Assemblymen take action, it would mean that England is isolated in retaining traditional upper-school exams while Scotland and Wales modernise theirs.

Lobbyists for the WelshBac were active this week at the Eisteddfod in Anglesey. Led by the Institute of Welsh Affairs, they are seeking a pound;1.1 million pilot over three years in six schools.

The WelshBac would bring academic and vocational courses into an overarching qualification, like Higher Still, backed by core studies including key skills, theory of knowledge and citizenship. There would be a strong but non-

compulsory Welsh dimension.

Eirlys Pritchard Jones, a member of the campaign steering committee, said: “The assembly has sent shock-waves through a lot of fields. We’ve got to get it right now, and the WelshBac could help. It would show vision.”