Major Changes Ahead: New Senior Secondary Qualification System from 2028

By Richard Harvey | Posted: Tuesday March 31, 2026

Last week, schools were advised of upcoming changes to senior secondary assessment, due to be introduced from 2028 for Years 11 to 13. The summary below has been provided by the Ministry of Education for parents.

A new national senior secondary qualification system is set to replace NCEA.

These changes are designed to make sure every young person leaves school with the solid knowledge and skills they need for life after school, whether that’s further study, training, or work.

What the new system will look like:

YEAR 11

There will be no NCEA Level 1. Instead, Year 11 students will spend more time learning the core knowledge and skills that prepare them for the qualification in Years 12 and 13.

A new Foundational Award will recognise literacy and numeracy achievement at Year 11 level.

From 2028 all Year 11 students will study English or Te Reo Rangatira, and Mathematics or Pāngarau.️ There has also been feedback about whether Science and Pūtaiao should be compulsory in Year 11, this is still being explored.

YEARS 12 AND 13

NCEA Level 2 and 3 will be replaced by a simpler structure with two levels across the final two years of school. Students will be assessed in full curriculum subjects, rather than lots of separate standards.

TIMELINES

Changes will be rolled out in stages.

2028: New curriculum and the Foundational Award introduced for Year 11.

2029–2030: New qualification and curriculum introduced for Years 12 and 13.

A refreshed curriculum for Years 11–13 is being developed. The new qualification will match that curriculum so that classroom learning and assessment line up clearly.

FIND OUT MORE

To read more, go to our Parent Portal website: