Guidance is now available to centres relating to the awarding of qualifications in Spring and Summer 2021 after Ofqual’s introduction of the Vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF). This has replaced the extraordinary Regulatory Framework (ERF) and the Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (EERF). You can download this guidance here.

The Framework will cover any assessments that took place or were planned to take place between 1 August 2020 and 31 August 2021.

What does this mean for my learners?

You should continue to teach and assess learners where possible. You can make use of adaptions in order to allow assessment to continue. Please view the relevant qualification pages on our website to find out which adaptions are allowed for the qualifications you deliver, and for further information regarding how to make an adaption.

What do ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ qualifications mean?

For ‘Category A’ qualifications, if you are unable to assess learners and cannot make use of adaptions, it is advised that you delay delivery and/or assessment until it is safe to assess in line with the requirements of the qualification you are delivering.

For ‘Category B’ qualifications, if you are unable to assess learners and cannot make use of adaptions, it may be possible to award the qualification to the learner on the basis of incomplete evidence. This is referred to as Teacher Assessed Grades and more information regarding TAGs can be found within the issued guidance.

Is there anything specific I need to do?

The guidance contains a ‘What should I do next?’ summary on page 10. As well as these pointers, you should also arrange for the Head of Centre to complete the Head of Centre Declaration, which can be downloaded here. This form should be completed and returned to our Compliance and Regulation Team prior to submitting your TAGs. Please refer to the guidance for deadlines relating to TAGs as these can vary between qualifications.

Ofqual have today launched a consultation for the introduction of a Vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF), which will replace the Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (ERF) and the Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (EERF).

Ofqual’s consultation can be found here. Ofqual has also been provided with a Ministerial Direction from the Secretary of State for Education, which can be viewed here.

This proposed new Framework will cover any assessments that took place or were planned to take place between 1 August 2020 and 31 August 2021.

Update: Ofqual’s technical consultation can also be found here. 

What does this mean for my learners?

You should continue to teach and assess learners where possible. You can make use adaptions in order to allow assessment to continue. Please view the relevant qualification pages on our website to find out what adaptions are allowable for the qualifications you deliver, and for further information regarding how to make an adaption.

What do ‘Category A’ and ‘Category B’ qualifications mean?

For ‘Category A’ qualifications, if you are unable to assess learners and cannot make use of adaptions, it is advised that you delay delivery and/or assessment until it is safe to assess in line with the requirements of the qualification you are delivering.

For ‘Category B’ qualifications, if you are unable to assess learners and cannot make use of adaptions, it may be possible to award the qualification to the learner on the basis of incomplete evidence. This is referred to as Teacher Assessed Grades and will be allowed where a specific evidential threshold has been met. For example, if a learner has completed more than the required percentage of the qualification, you may be able to claim the award of the qualification.

Where can I find information relating to evidential thresholds?

The evidential thresholds have not yet been set. We will provide Centres with further information regarding this as soon as we are able to do so. It may be that the threshold includes specific content that must be included in order for a qualification to be awarded.

Will our learners receive a full qualification that includes a transcript?

The current proposals set out by Ofqual suspend the requirement on awarding organisations to offer a transcript alongside a qualification certificate. Therefore, it may be that where a learner is awarded a qualification without completing all of the curriculum, a transcript cannot be offered. More detail will be provided regarding this as soon as we are able to do so.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information?

You will be able to find the latest information on our COVID-19 Hub. We also hold regular lunchtime drop-ins, which provide you with an opportunity to connect with our team and ask for their advice. Information relating to these drop-ins can be found on the Hub.

What should we do about enquiries and appeals?

We are currently reviewing our Enquiries and Appeals Policy to ensure it is suitable for learners certificated under the ‘Category B’ approach. We will provide a further update in due course.

Where can I find out a qualification’s Category?

You will be able to find the full list of Category decisions on our qualification page. You can do this by using the filter ‘Category’ and selecting either ‘Category A’ or ‘Category B’. You will also be able to further drill down by using additional filters to check by level, or sector.

What should I do if another awarding organisation has placed the same qualification into a different Category?

We will continue to review our categorisations up unto 9 March 2021. If you notice that the same qualification has been categorised differently, please let our Compliance and Regulation Team who will review the qualification and will consider it’s categorisation.

Who can I contact should I need help?

If you need any support, please contact our Customer Support Team or speak to your Centre’s Relationship Manager.

In anticipation of an announcement from Ofqual this week, following this update, we will be holding an online drop-in session for our Centres. This session will be hosted by Karl Stringer, Deputy Director Awarding Services, and will summarise the outcomes of the recent Ofqual consultation and the proposed arrangements for awarding qualifications through summer 2021.

When: Friday 26 February 2021
Where: Zoom
Time: 12:00 noon

There’s no need to book, just follow the link below to drop in to the session on the day. We look forward to seeing you on the day!

Join the session

We understand that your delivery and assessment methods may have had to change and you might be encountering specific challenges while navigating this new way of working. We are here to help.

We will be offering fortnightly online drop-in sessions to provide you with ongoing support with your delivery and assessment. These sessions will be interactive and will give you the chance to talk directly to our friendly and experienced team about any assessment or delivery questions you might have. The next session will be:

When: Thursday 15 April 2021
Where: Zoom
Time: 13:00 to 14:30

Follow the link below to drop in to the session next week. There’s no need to book, just pop in as and when you like!

Join the session

During the pandemic we are continuing to deliver end-point assessment in accordance with guidance issued by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

For customers who currently have a service agreement in place, regular updates are provided via email and on our bespoke EPA platform.

For customers who do not yet have a contract for EPA services, please email our EPA team for more information.

Helpful essential guidance regarding apprenticeships can be found here.