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More than half a million functional skills qualifications taken despite pandemic

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Vocational and technical qualifications
A person making notes with their left hand in a textbook on a desk, in front of a tablet computer.

Awarding organisations, colleges, training providers, schools and employers have been working hard to offer functional skills assessments that are safe and convenient for learners throughout the pandemic. This is incredibly important for learners hoping to complete an apprenticeship or progress …

Managing worries around results day – some strategies that might help

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Exams, Vocational and technical qualifications
Photo of wild flowers. Bottom half of image is of a meadow of small, white flowers with blue sky, filled with large white fluffy clouds at the top

When we talk about worry around exams, we often focus on the exams themselves, or the process of revision and can forget that waiting to receive your results and results day itself can be just as worrying. This may be …

What students, teachers, parents and carers think and feel about assessments this year in the wake of the pandemic

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Exams, Functional skills, Uncategorized, Vocational and technical qualifications
Female student, holding study books, smiles at camera.

Foreword by Paul Newton, Ofqual Research Chair. Ofqual has a statutory duty to promote public confidence in regulated qualifications, which means that we need to listen carefully to what people think and feel about them. Never has this obligation been …

VTQ awarding in 2021 - providing clarity for colleges and training providers

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Uncategorized, Vocational and technical qualifications
Male and female construction workers

As we all know, awarding for some vocational, technical and other general qualifications (VTQs) is going to be different in 2021. The ongoing effects of the pandemic mean that assessment, awarding, and even results days will continue to be far …

Teacher judgements in 2021: what we can learn from 2020

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Vocational and technical qualifications
Students studying

Last year we spoke to staff in schools and colleges after they had submitted their Centre Assessment Grades (CAGs) and rank orders for summer 2020 GCSE, AS and A levels, as well as for many vocational qualifications. We interviewed over …

Quality assurance for GCSE, AS and A level: information for schools and colleges

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Vocational and technical qualifications
A person holding an apple in each hand

This summer, with exams cancelled, the quality assurance (QA) process for qualifications in England is different from the usual moderation process. This is a guide to what schools and colleges can expect.

Feeling worried about grades this year is understandable. Here are some things that might help…

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: A levels and GCSEs, Exams
Female student holds notepad.

An article for students from Professor Kevin Woods and psychologists at Manchester University.   A few weeks ago, schools and colleges opened their doors again to all students. In many ways, it’s “back to normal” but some things are still …

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