Views sought on awarding vocational and technical qualifications

Ofqual is seeking views on the arrangements it has set out for awarding vocational and technical qualifications, and general qualifications, other than GCSEs, AS and A levels, following the cancellation of exams. 

Ofqual's proposed plans are to provide a temporary extraordinary regulatory framework for qualifications that sets out how an awarding organisation (AO) should calculate results or adapt or delay assessments.

It allow AOs to provide clarity to schools, colleges and training providers about what evidence they should gather and consider, and what evidence they will submit, where required to calculate a grade.

It allows AOs to make clear which learners should receive a calculated result (and how it will be awarded), or be required to complete an assessment.

The plans aim to enable AOs to access, adapt, or build the systems needed to issue results this summer and adapt assessments where this is necessary.

Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, Ofqual, said: "It is vitally important that learners taking vocational or technical qualifications are not prevented from progressing in their studies or careers because of the unprecedented challenges this summer. We have worked quickly across the sector to develop an approach which gives awarding organisations the flexibility they need to deliver results for as many learners as possible during the current crisis, while ensuring a process which those who rely on these qualifications can trust."

The closing date of the consultation is Friday 8 May 2020