GovWire

Removal of Technical Qualification accreditation requirement

Following the commencement of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, in January 2024 Ofqual wrote to awarding organisations with notification of the removal of the accreditation requirement that had been in place for the Level 3 Technical Qualifications (TQs) that form part of T Levels.

This means that Ofqual will not make any further accreditation decisions in relation to TQs. This includes both new accreditation decisions for newly-developed TQs and further accreditation decisions where amendments are made to existing TQs.

Although Ofqual will no longer make accreditation decisions in relation to TQs, we will continue to review materials through the development process managed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

This update is to notify that the associated amendments to Ofqual webpages and publications, including the Accreditation criterion document and TQ Qualification Level Conditions, have now been made.

Summer 2024 exams start

Students across the country are getting ready to take their exams and assessments, making sure theyre ready to show the knowledge, skills and understanding that they have gained over the course of their studies.

We all have an important part to play in making sure that the summer exam series runs smoothly and Deputy Chief Regulator Michael Hanton has written a blog highlighting some things to remember.

Students advised to play it safe this exam season

As the 2024 exam season starts, Ofqual is reminding everyone involved in exams and assessments of the risks of malpractice.

Students taking exams should comply with all malpractice rules. This includes keeping mobile devices out of the exam room and not searching for exam papers on social media.

Preparing for summer exams and assessments

Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham has written a letter to school and college heads about the 2024 summer exam series, highlighting the resources available to support students and reiterating the approach to grading in 2024.

VTQ information hub 2023 to 2024: key dates and deadlines

Ofqual has worked with awarding organisations to compile information on key dates and deadlines for vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) in 2024.

The VTQ Information Hub is most relevant to school and college staff working in the administration or delivery of Level 3, Level 1/2 and Level 2 vocational and technical qualifications used for progression. It will help you prepare for the awarding organisation key dates and deadlines ahead of awarding in summer 2024.

Information is arranged by awarding organisation and then by qualification. You can download the combined data for all awarding organisations, or for each individual organisation.

Ofqual student guide 2024

Ofqual has published a detailed guide for students due to be taking exams in 2024.

The guide is for students taking any of the following Ofqual-regulated qualifications in the academic year 2023 to 2024, and GCSEs in November 2024:

• GCSEs
• AS or A levels
• other general qualifications, including International Baccalaureate, core mathematics and Pre-U
• Technical Qualifications within a T Level (the Core Assessment and Occupational Specialism)
• Vocational and Technical Qualifications taken alongside GCSEs and A levels in subjects such as engineering, health & social care and digital media

It also explains what support is in place when taking exams and assessments.

Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2024

Ofqual has published guidance for schools, colleges and other exam or assessment centres on qualifications arrangements for 2024.

This guide is for schools, colleges and other exam or assessment centres and explains what they can expect from awarding organisations regulated by Ofqual. It also explains how qualifications will be regulated in 2023 to 2024.

This guide covers qualifications typically taken in an academic year, including GCSEs, AS and A levels, Technical Qualifications within a T Level and vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs).

Delivery of vocational and technical qualification results for 2024 and beyond

Ofqual has announced arrangements to ensure the timely delivery of results for students taking vocational and technical qualifications in 2024 and beyond.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator, has also written to all schools and colleges in England to explain the arrangements in more detail, and how they differ from those implemented in 2023.

Industrial action

The Department for Education has issued guidance that recommends that schools should prioritise the running of examinations and assessments on any strike days, and should review their contingency plans to enable this to happen.

Schools, colleges and other exam centres should speak to the relevant awarding organisations if they are expecting any disruption that might affect the sitting of exams and assessments.

Replacement certificates

Ofqual does not hold copies of your certificates we cant tell you your grade or provide replacements. Certificates are held by the exam board you sat your qualification with. If you dont know which exam board you took your qualification with, ask your school. If your school dont know you will need to ask each exam board to do a search for you they will charge you for this.

Contact your exam board

• AQA
• Pearson
• OCR
• WJEC Eduqas