by Foreword
Ofqual is the impartial regulator for {qualifications} in England. Ofqual’s statutory targets embody securing the requirements of, and selling public confidence in, regulated {qualifications}. Ofqual’s guidelines, which awarding organisations should observe, are designed to realize this. Ofqual screens their approaches to ensure they’re assembly the foundations and takes motion if they aren’t. Ofqual’s regulation seeks to make sure high quality and equity for college students and apprentices; readability, effectiveness and effectivity within the {qualifications} market; and contributes to shaping the way forward for evaluation and {qualifications}.
In 2019, the Division for Schooling (DfE) set out its ambition for a streamlined post-16 qualification system at stage 3 and beneath, the place all {qualifications} are top quality, are obligatory, have a definite function, and result in good outcomes for college students. The primary {qualifications} thought of had been these at stage 3, and Ofqual revealed its regulatory preparations for the {qualifications} in scope of the evaluation on 10 January 2023.
In October 2022, DfE revealed the federal government’s response to its session on the ‘Evaluation of post-16 {qualifications} at stage 2 and beneath in England’. The response units out DfE’s intentions for the longer term {qualifications} panorama at stage 2 and beneath in England. It confirms the teams of {qualifications} that will likely be thought of for public funding sooner or later grouped by stage, function, and meant vacation spot. The evaluation of {qualifications} at stage 2 and beneath will span a number of years. DfE will take a phased strategy to the primary instructing of reformed {qualifications} from 2025 to 2027.
The primary {qualifications} which might be being thought of for funding approval at stage 2 and beneath by DfE will likely be stage 2 {qualifications} resulting in expert employment. Ofqual launched a public session on these {qualifications} on 10 January 2023.
The subsequent group of {qualifications} being thought of will likely be {qualifications} supporting development to larger ranges of examine. This session considers a sub-section of those {qualifications} – stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. DfE’s intention is that these {qualifications} could also be taught as a part of the brand new T Degree Transition Programme (TLTP).
The purpose of this session is to supply a chance for teams to touch upon the way in which through which Ofqual proposes to manage these {qualifications}. Ofqual will seek the advice of on the draft Circumstances and necessities that may be used to implement this strategy in June 2023. It will permit awarding organisations to develop {qualifications} and centres to familiarise themselves with them forward of instructing the primary reformed {qualifications} in September 2026.
If you are interested in {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges, please let Ofqual know your ideas on the proposals set out right here by responding to the session.
A session on the opposite teams of {qualifications} supporting development to larger ranges of examine will likely be revealed later in 2023.
Proposals at a look
For stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges, along with the necessities set out within the Common Circumstances of Recognition, Ofqual proposes to:
require awarding organisations to develop and cling to an evaluation technique setting out its strategy to the design, improvement, supply and award of those {qualifications}
It will assist safe the preliminary high quality of {qualifications}, assist their efficient regulation within the curiosity of scholars, and promote their steady enchancment by awarding organisations.
require awarding organisations to design these {qualifications} in order that they’re consistent with the nationally set normal functions which will likely be included in Ofqual’s regulatory framework for these {qualifications}
It will assist to carry readability in regards to the function of the {qualifications} and what they have to ship for college students. It can additionally assist consistency throughout awarding organisations and supply the foundations for the strategy to evaluation.
require awarding organisations to clarify how their qualification content material covers the content material set out in DfE’s Nationwide Technical Outcomes (NTOs)[footnote 1]
It will be certain that the {qualifications} and assessments are appropriately designed and developed in opposition to DfE’s NTOs for every T Degree route.
require awarding organisations to have regard to steerage specified by Ofqual in relation to evaluation design
It will assist to make sure that the assessments utilized in these {qualifications} are appropriately designed with due regard to the qualification measurement, protection of content material, and use of contexts. It can additionally guarantee college students’ awards are based mostly on their total efficiency.
require awarding organisations to set assessments
It will assist to make sure that duties are legitimate and that they supply dependable proof of pupil achievement to assist to make sure person confidence within the {qualifications}.
require awarding organisations to make use of a typical grading scale of the next grades: Cross, Advantage, Distinction, with an Unclassified end result for college students who don’t obtain certainly one of these grades
It will assist to make sure commonality between awarding organisations and enhance person understanding of the outcomes.
require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to plain setting and the upkeep of requirements over time
It will assist to safeguard grading requirements for these {qualifications} and construct and preserve public confidence in these new {qualifications}.
require that, following a evaluation by Ofqual, awarding organisations should adjust to any necessities and have regard to any steerage supplied by Ofqual in relation to that evaluation
It will present readability to awarding organisations in regards to the outcomes of an Ofqual evaluation and be certain that any points recognized with {qualifications} as a part of the approval course of are addressed.
require awarding organisations to inform Ofqual the place approval for public funding for certainly one of these {qualifications} is withdrawn
It will be certain that Ofqual can take steps to guard the pursuits of scholars already partway by certainly one of these {qualifications}, within the occasion that public funding is withdrawn.
Viewers
This session is open to anybody who could want to make illustration however could also be of most curiosity to:
awarding organisations and their consultant our bodies
faculties, schools, coaching suppliers and their consultant our bodies
college students
employers
Session preparations
Length
This session will likely be open for 10 weeks beginning on 26 January 2023 and ending on 6 April 2023 at 23:45.
Reply
Please reply to this session by utilizing one of many following strategies:
full your response on-line
e mail your response to consultations@ofqual.gov.uk please embody the session title within the topic line of the e-mail and clarify who you’re and in what capability you’re responding
For data on how Ofqual will use and handle your knowledge, please see Annex A: Session responses and your knowledge.
Introduction
Background
In October 2022, DfE revealed the outcomes of its evaluation of post-16 {qualifications} at stage 2 and beneath. DfE intends that sooner or later:
{qualifications} at stage 2 will assist development into additional examine or coaching at stage 3, or assist development instantly into expert employment in some sectors
for {qualifications} at stage 1 and beneath, the main focus of examine for many college students will likely be development onto a qualification at stage 2 or above that gives entry into a talented occupation, or development to a work-based pathway.
This session seeks views on the proposed strategy to the regulation of stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. Ofqual will seek the advice of individually on the remaining teams of stage 2 and beneath {qualifications}[footnote 2] in the end.
The T Degree Transition Programme (TLTP)
The TLTP is a one-year preparatory programme for stage 2 college students who aspire to progress onto a T Degree. The aim of the programme, as set out in DfE’s Framework for Supply, is to assist college students develop a broad vary of data, expertise, and behaviours that can assist them to progress onto, and succeed on, a T Degree of their chosen T Degree route.[footnote 3]
College students on the TLTP are anticipated to develop information, expertise, and behaviours in 5 areas together with:
industry-relevant technical information and expertise
expertise for profitable examine
English, maths and digital expertise
information and expertise for the office
constructive perspective and behaviours
DfE has developed nationwide content material for the technical information and expertise elements of the TLTP, for every T Degree route, referred to as Nationwide Technical Outcomes (NTOs). Colleges, schools, and coaching suppliers can at the moment determine whether or not to ship the NTOs utilizing a qualification, non-qualification supply, or a mixture.
DfE has not but taken a closing choice on whether or not, following the funding approvals course of, instructing the NTOs by a non-qualification strategy will proceed to be an possibility or whether or not it is going to be obligatory to check one of many {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges as a part of the TLTP.
Degree 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges
In DfE’s letter to Ofqual the minister units out the intentions for these {qualifications} as follows:
It’s my intention that {qualifications} designed to assist development onto T Ranges ought to present a breadth of data, understanding and expertise that can put together college students for examine in a T Degree route. These {qualifications} ought to assist the goals of the programme and be well-aligned with the nationwide expectations within the Framework for Supply for the TLTP. It can even be vital that they’re participating and motivating for the scholars that take them. As these {qualifications} will primarily type only one a part of the TLTP, it will be significant that they’re massive sufficient to cowl broad content material related to a route, however not so massive as to overly prohibit all the opposite vital components of the programme. I anticipate awarding organisations to pay explicit consideration to the scale pointers set out within the authorities’s response to the session on {qualifications} at stage 2 and beneath, whereas noting our total place that these are pointers solely.
The minister additionally commented that:
I recognise that the extent of change to present {qualifications} to safe alignment to T Degree routes and the TLTP Framework for Supply could in some instances be appreciable. Nonetheless, I contemplate this to be vital and proportionate.
To summarise, DfE intends that these {qualifications} will:
present broad content material related to a selected T Degree route and put together college students to check any of the T Ranges inside that route
be primarily delivered in a single educational yr as a part of a TLTP, though adults might select to take them outdoors of a TLTP
be small to medium in measurement (lower than half of a one-year 16 to 19 examine programme) – massive sufficient to cowl broad content material related to a route, however not so massive as to crowd out different vital components of the TLTP, resembling English and maths.
Ofqual’s goals and function in regulating these {qualifications}
Ofqual regulates {qualifications}, and the awarding organisations that ship them, in opposition to the Common Circumstances of Recognition. These cowl the design, improvement, supply, and award of {qualifications}. Ofqual solely regulates past the Common Circumstances the place it’s thought of that extra controls are obligatory and within the pursuits of scholars, to safe the standard of a qualification or group of {qualifications}. Ofqual has due to this fact thought of:
the minister’s expectation that Ofqual places in place a regulatory strategy that builds and maintains confidence in these {qualifications}
the minister’s proposal for there to be constant content material throughout the {qualifications} in a selected T Degree route
the minister’s intention that these {qualifications} aren’t stipulations for development to a T Degree, college students can progress on to T Degree examine after GCSEs. Achievement in these {qualifications} will likely be used alongside different data to tell selections about pupil development
DfE’s expectation that the accountability measures for suppliers delivering these {qualifications} will likely be on the stage of the scholar’s programme of examine
Ofqual considers that though the proposal is for the content material of {qualifications} to be constant inside a route, there may be nonetheless scope for awarding organisations to take equally legitimate, completely different approaches inside a route. Completely different approaches to the design of those {qualifications} might also be acceptable throughout the 12 T Degree routes.
Ofqual due to this fact proposes to introduce some extra controls the place that is essential to assist confidence within the new {qualifications}, while additionally guaranteeing that there’s enough flexibility to allow awarding organisations to design {qualifications} which might be properly aligned to the completely different T Degree routes. These extra controls are set out intimately within the proposals part.
DfE funding approvals course of
Ofqual’s proposed strategy to regulating these {qualifications} has additionally been designed to work together with the brand new funding approvals processes, the place:
DfE will make closing selections in regards to the approval of {qualifications} for public funding within the new panorama
Ofqual will present suggestions to DfE on the {qualifications} submitted for approval and can regulate the {qualifications} in supply
Ofqual additionally proposes to introduce the next extra controls to replicate Ofqual’s function within the approvals course of and to assist the continued regulation of {qualifications} in supply:
requiring awarding organisations to develop and cling to an evaluation technique
requiring awarding organisations to adjust to any necessities and have regard to any steerage following a evaluation by Ofqual
requiring awarding organisations to inform Ofqual the place approval for public funding for certainly one of these {qualifications} is withdrawn
These controls are per the strategy put in place for reformed stage 3 {qualifications} and the proposed strategy to stage 2 {qualifications} resulting in expert employment. They’re set out intimately within the proposals part.
Qualification titling and measurement of {qualifications}
DfE will publish its full approvals standards for these {qualifications} in the end. It will embody steerage on the scale of {qualifications} and on titling.
Common Situation E2 units out Ofqual’s necessities on qualification titling and Ofqual’s view is that any DfE expectations on titling may very well be accommodated inside the necessities of the prevailing Common Situation. Ofqual due to this fact doesn’t suggest to place any extra controls in place.
Scope of recognition
Ofqual has various specified regulatory qualification sorts. These are {qualifications} which might be regulated by the Common Circumstances and a number of units of extra regulatory guidelines, resembling GCSEs. Ofqual doesn’t suggest a brand new regulatory qualification kind protecting stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. Which means that awarding organisations already recognised to ship {qualifications} at stage 2 within the related sector topic space is not going to want to use to Ofqual to increase their scope of recognition to develop these {qualifications}.
DfE’s proposed content material for these {qualifications}
DfE is at the moment consulting on its intention that the NTOs ought to type the premise for the content material of stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges.
Feedback on the usage of the NTOs as the premise for the content material of those {qualifications} must be submitted to DfE by way of their session.
Proposals
Evaluation technique necessities
An evaluation technique is a doc which an awarding organisation produces to clarify and justify its total strategy to the design, improvement, supply, and award of a qualification. The place Ofqual requires an evaluation technique, it expects awarding organisations to make use of this to show the validity of their {qualifications} and clarify how their selections are coherent with the aim of those {qualifications}.
Evaluation methods are a longtime mechanism by which Ofqual can safe enough oversight of a qualification so as to regulate it successfully in supply. The identical requirement for awarding organisations to develop, observe, and hold beneath evaluation an evaluation technique is being put in place for stage 3 technical occupation and different educational {qualifications} and stage 2 {qualifications} resulting in expert employment.
Proposal
Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to develop, observe, and hold beneath evaluation an evaluation technique protecting every stage 2 qualification supporting development to T Ranges that it gives. Which means that for every qualification, awarding organisations will likely be anticipated to justify and supply a rationale for the strategy to design, supply, evaluation, and different elements of the qualification, that are set out in full beneath. This is able to give Ofqual oversight of the {qualifications} to manage them successfully in supply and supply a foundation on which to supply suggestions to DfE as a part of the approvals course of.
In relation to evaluation methods, it’s proposed to require awarding organisations to:
set up and preserve an evaluation technique for these {qualifications}
guarantee their evaluation technique units out how they’ll comply, on an ongoing foundation, with all the necessities that apply
design, set, ship, and mark all assessments consistent with their evaluation technique
hold their evaluation methods beneath evaluation, and notify Ofqual of any adjustments to them
evaluation their evaluation technique at Ofqual’s request, and make any adjustments
if requested, present Ofqual how they’ve complied with their evaluation technique (or clarify why not) and observe any directions from Ofqual about complying with their evaluation technique.
Ofqual proposes that the evaluation technique ought to cowl key elements of the qualification lifecycle, protecting the design, improvement, supply, and award of those {qualifications}. The element of those areas will likely be set out as a part of any subsequent session on the Circumstances and steerage. Nonetheless, in abstract, they might be anticipated to cowl elements resembling:
qualification functions
content material
evaluation design
evaluation supply
marking or assessing efficiency
attainment and reporting
normal setting and upkeep
qualification monitoring
Ofqual has thought of the regulatory burden arising from this proposal. Regulated awarding organisations ought to contemplate the elements of design, improvement, and award of {qualifications} lined by the evaluation technique necessities as a part of their business-as-usual processes.
Query 1
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require awarding organisations to develop, observe, and hold beneath evaluation an evaluation technique?
Query 2
Do you will have any views on the areas proposed to be included in evaluation methods?
Functions
Excessive-quality {qualifications} have a transparent function and are designed to satisfy that function. That’s to say, selections taken in regards to the design of {qualifications} and their assessments ought to replicate the qualification’s function. A well-defined function ought to be certain that customers are clear about what a qualification ought to equip college students to do and to what use(s) the outcomes of the qualification will likely be put.
DfE intends for there to be an elevated stage of readability in regards to the function of every qualification and the meant vacation spot level(s) for college students within the new panorama. Specifically, this pertains to whether or not a qualification is meant primarily to assist development to larger ranges of examine or entry into employment.
Proposal
To make sure that {qualifications} are designed with a transparent function in thoughts, Ofqual proposes to set out the final functions for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. This is identical strategy that has been taken for stage 3 different educational {qualifications} in addition to different {qualifications} together with GCSEs, A Ranges, and T Ranges.
Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to clarify the precise functions of every of their {qualifications}, guaranteeing that they’re consistent with the final functions, and to clarify how their qualification will fulfil these functions. Awarding organisations can be required to do that by their evaluation technique. This could be certain that the qualification’s functions are embedded within the design selections made by the awarding organisation. This will even allow Ofqual to evaluation awarding organisations’ approaches, and to set necessities the place they don’t have regard to the final functions.
Ofqual proposes that the final functions for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges must be that the qualification will:
Objective A: present college students with a breadth of data, expertise, and understanding that prepares them for examine on any T Degree within the related T Degree route. The usage of a qualification inside a TLTP is predicted to ship on giving college students the information and expertise related to a selected T Degree route. That is due to this fact the best precedence function of those {qualifications}.
Objective B: show college students’ capability to use their information, expertise and understanding in related sensible contexts. As a result of sensible nature of T Degree programmes, it will be significant that these {qualifications} present alternatives to use information and expertise in sensible contexts, to assist college students put together for what they’ll expertise in the event that they progress to a T Degree.
Objective C: assist an enticing programme of studying that motivates college students who’re getting ready for examine on a T Degree. Engagement is a crucial think about pupil achievement. College students taking these {qualifications} could not have enough attainment pre-16 to check a T Degree instantly from GCSE or could produce other areas of improvement or assist wants earlier than enterprise a T Degree. It will be important that these {qualifications} ought to play an element in (re-)participating college students in order that they’ve the arrogance and are motivated to proceed to the subsequent stage of examine.
Objective D: present proof of attainment that may very well be utilized in mixture with different data to tell selections a few pupil’s readiness to progress onto a T Degree. It’s anticipated that achievement of a qualification supporting development to T Ranges will point out {that a} pupil has demonstrated acceptable attainment at stage 2 and that they need to be capable to have interaction with the T Degree content material. Nonetheless, as {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges aren’t stipulations for college students wishing to progress to a T Degree, it’s anticipated that the proof of attainment will likely be used alongside different data to evaluate whether or not a pupil is able to progress onto a T Degree.
Objective E: present dependable proof to distinguish between college students’ attainment in relation to the information, understanding, and expertise assessed as a part of the qualification. It will be important that college students’ efficiency on the qualification can be utilized by suppliers and employers as a foundation for choosing college students for different instructional routes, jobs, and apprenticeships. This is able to be significantly vital for college students who select to not, or aren’t capable of, progress to a T Degree. Ofqual considers it vital that the grading scale for these {qualifications} supplies enough data for customers to distinguish between pupil attainment.
Whereas all the normal functions must be met so far as potential, Ofqual recognises that there is perhaps factors within the design course of the place an awarding organisation could should make a trade-off between the final functions. For instance, there could also be a selected design function that helps the engagement of scholars by flexibility within the nature of the evaluation (Objective C), which can be in rigidity, nonetheless, with the necessity to differentiate reliably between college students (Objective E).
In cases the place design trade-offs are required, it’s proposed that the final functions (A to E) must be prioritised in line with the order through which they’re set out. This implies Objective A – present college students with a breadth of data, expertise, and understanding that prepares them for examine on any T Degree within the related T Degree route – must be given the best precedence, with the others met to the best extent potential, prioritised within the order set out.
Query 3
Do you will have any feedback on the proposed normal functions set out for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges?
Query 4
To what extent do you agree or disagree that, the place it isn’t potential to completely meet all the normal functions specified, awarding organisations ought to prioritise them within the order (A to E) through which they’re specified? Please present any feedback.
Proposal
As it’s proposed to introduce necessities setting out the final function of thesequalifications, Ofqual proposes to disapply Common Circumstances E1.1 and E1.2 which require {qualifications} to have an goal in respect of {qualifications} lined by these proposals. It’s because the final functions Ofqual proposes to set right here would exchange the targets referred to within the Common Circumstances. Disapplying this Situation will guarantee there is no such thing as a battle or duplication between these normal functions and Ofqual’s Common Circumstances.
Query 5
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to disapply Common Circumstances E1.1 and E1.2 in respect of those {qualifications}? Please present any feedback.
Content material
The content material to be lined inside a qualification and the way in which through which that content material is assessed are vital elements in guaranteeing that {qualifications} meet their meant functions and assessments are legitimate. It will be important that {qualifications} are assessed in a approach that enables college students to show information, understanding, and expertise in relation to the content material lined by the qualification.
Within the steer letter, the minister stated that:
DfE has developed Nationwide Technical Outcomes (NTOs) for every T Degree path to assist consistency within the technical information and sensible expertise college students develop on this programme.
As defined earlier, DfE is at the moment consulting on its intention that the NTOs must be used as the premise for the content material of those {qualifications}.
Awarding organisations can be anticipated to increase on the high-level content material within the NTOs to develop the detailed content material to be taught and assessed.
Proposal
To make sure that the content material is being lined appropriately, Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to clarify of their evaluation technique how they’ve designed and developed their {qualifications} in opposition to the NTOs, together with how the high-level content material in NTOs has been expanded upon to develop detailed qualification content material.
Ofqual additionally proposes to require awarding organisations to clarify of their evaluation technique their strategy to assessing this data, expertise, and understanding over time, guaranteeing that protection of the content material in assessments is consultant and non-predictable. That is vital to make sure that awarding organisations assess content material appropriately and to make sure outcomes are legitimate and comparable over time. It can allow Ofqual to evaluation awarding organisations’ approaches as a part of the DfE’s approval course of.
As DfE is at the moment consulting on its intention that the NTOs ought to type the premise of those {qualifications}, Ofqual can not decide at this level whether or not it is perhaps essential to transcend this. Relying on the outcomes of DfE’s session, it is perhaps acceptable for Ofqual to subject necessities or steerage across the protection of the content material. This proposal could due to this fact should be revisited in Ofqual’s second session on the precise Circumstances, guidelines, and steerage proposed for these {qualifications}, on account of launch in June 2023.
Query 6
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require awarding organisations to clarify how they’ve lined the NTOs of their evaluation technique for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges?
Evaluation
The minister’s intention is that these {qualifications}:
…ought to assist put together college students for what they’ll expertise on T Ranges. In my opinion it’s due to this fact vital that they’re designed to assist an strategy to instructing and studying that enables college students to use information, understanding and expertise in a sensible context. I’d be happy for components of modular evaluation to exist in these {qualifications}. Nonetheless, modularity have to be appropriately balanced with the necessity for assessments to attract collectively the information, understanding and expertise developed by the content material. Total, I anticipate the frequency of evaluation inside these {qualifications} to not distract from, or predominantly drive, instructing and studying.
Ofqual has thought of whether or not any extra controls should be launched round evaluation design for these {qualifications} to make sure that they align with their meant functions and the minister’s intentions.
As set out earlier on this session, Ofqual is already proposing that assessments have to be designed consistent with the final functions and their relative order of prioritisation.
Recognising that completely different approaches to evaluation could also be legitimate throughout the completely different T Degree routes, Ofqual due to this fact proposes to introduce extra controls solely in these areas that are widespread throughout all routes.
Ofqual due to this fact doesn’t suggest to set necessities across the variety of assessments, total evaluation time, evaluation availability (together with resitting and resubmission alternatives), evaluation strategies, or marking approaches. Ofqual will as a substitute require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to those components of evaluation design of their evaluation technique. Ofqual does, nonetheless, suggest to set necessities across the setting, marking, and adaptation of assessments and to set out the elements that awarding organisations ought to have regard to in designing their assessments.
Proposal
Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to set all assessments. Ofqual additionally proposes to require assessments to be taken beneath managed circumstances. Awarding organisations will due to this fact have to specify the managed circumstances beneath which the assessments used of their {qualifications} have to be taken. It will assist to make sure a high-level of management which ought to enhance the validity of duties and imply that the awarding organisation’s outcomes are correct and comparable over time.
Ofqual additionally proposes to permit awarding organisations to allow centre contextualisation of assessments, together with tailoring eventualities to native wants, to make sure the contexts are appropriate for centres and college students. It will solely be permitted the place it doesn’t change the character of the talents being assessed, the demand of the duty, or the extent of the evaluation. Awarding organisations can be required to supply steerage to assist centres round any evaluation variations that they enable and can be required to supply Ofqual with a proof of their strategy to adaptation of assessments of their evaluation technique.
Ofqual proposes that awarding organisations could mark assessments themselves, or they might allow centres to mark assessments, or they might use a mixture of awarding organisation and centre marking. Awarding organisations will likely be required to establish and clarify the dangers associated to centre marking of assessments and show that efficient controls will likely be in place to mitigate any dangers round centre marking, by their evaluation technique.
Query 7
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require awarding organisations to set assessments for these {qualifications}?
Query 8
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require assessments to be taken beneath managed circumstances and for awarding organisations to specify the managed circumstances beneath which the assessments of their {qualifications} have to be taken?
Query 9
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to permit, however not require, adaptation of contexts inside assessments utilized in these {qualifications}?
Query 10
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to permit awarding organisations to allow centres to mark assessments utilized in these {qualifications}?
Proposal
Ofqual proposes to subject statutory steerage setting out the elements that awarding organisations ought to contemplate in designing the assessments used of their {qualifications}. These elements are defined beneath.
Qualification measurement
DfE intends the scale of those {qualifications} to be lower than half of a one-year 16 to 19 examine programme. The ministerial steer letter outlined that the frequency of evaluation inside these {qualifications} mustn’t distract from, or predominantly drive, instructing and studying. It’s due to this fact vital that the quantity and measurement of the evaluation parts utilized in these {qualifications} is proportionate to DfE’s proposed qualification measurement. DfE has designed the NTOs to specify the outcomes that college students are anticipated to show and would due to this fact anticipate approaches to evaluation to assist this. It will assist be certain that the assessments used inside these {qualifications} don’t adversely affect instructing and studying.
Protection of content material
As famous above, DfE has designed the NTOs to specify the outcomes that college students are anticipated to show and would due to this fact anticipate approaches to evaluation to assist this. Within the steer letter, the minister said that modularity of assessments used inside these {qualifications} have to be appropriately balanced with the necessity for assessments to attract collectively the information, understanding, and expertise developed by the qualification content material. The assessments ought to due to this fact require college students to establish and use an acceptable choice of expertise, methods, ideas, theories, and information from throughout the complete vary of the qualification’s content material successfully and in an built-in approach.
Use of context
The ministerial intention for these {qualifications} is that they’ll assist put together college students for what they’ll expertise on a T Degree. It’s due to this fact vital that they assist an strategy to instructing and studying that enables college students to use information, understanding, and expertise in sensible contexts. The assessments ought to due to this fact be set in particular, genuine contexts that modify over time, specializing in sensible software of data and expertise.
Emphasis on total efficiency
DfE’s intention is that these {qualifications} present college students with a breadth of data, expertise and understanding that prepares them for examine on any T Degree within the related T Degree route. They don’t seem to be, nonetheless, meant to be a prerequisite to progress to a T Degree or to sign occupational competence. As evaluation strategy which required college students to go every particular person evaluation would possibly stop college students from finishing these {qualifications}.
College students’ outcomes ought to due to this fact be based mostly on their total efficiency throughout the qualification content material, with strengths and weaknesses in efficiency permitted to stability one another out.
Awarding organisations will likely be required to clarify their strategy to evaluation design consistent with the proposed steerage of their evaluation technique. It will allow Ofqual to evaluation awarding organisations’ approaches, and to set necessities the place they don’t have regard to the statutory steerage.
Query 11
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to subject statutory steerage on evaluation for these {qualifications} and to require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy in an evaluation technique?
Query 12
Do you will have any feedback on the elements which might be proposed to be included within the statutory steerage on evaluation for these {qualifications}?
Grading
With regard to grading, the minister commented that:
To assist readability for individuals who will use the outcomes of those {qualifications}, for my part it will be significant that there’s a single constant grading strategy. I would love Ofqual to work with my division to discover an acceptable strategy to differentiating attainment, based mostly on the wants of those that will use the outcomes of those {qualifications}.
As these are related {qualifications} with widespread functions and nationally set content material, Ofqual agrees {that a} single constant grading strategy will enhance person understanding of what the outcomes imply.
To ensure that these {qualifications} to satisfy Common Objective E – to supply proof to distinguish between college students’ attainment in relation to the information, expertise, and understanding assessed as a part of the qualification – Ofqual’s view is that the grading scale ought to have extra differentiation than Cross or Fail. This should nonetheless be balanced with guaranteeing that grades are dependable and that they sign significant data to customers.
Proposal
Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to make use of a typical grading scale of the next grades: Cross, Advantage, Distinction, with an Unclassified end result for college students who don’t obtain certainly one of these grades.
Ofqual recognises that this proposal to specify a typical grading scale represents a shift from present apply the place awarding organisations can decide their very own grading strategy, however the expectation is that any short-term disruption will likely be outweighed by the larger diploma of commonality in relation to grades.
Query 13
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to requiring awarding organisations to make use of a typical grading scale (Cross, Advantage, and Distinction), with an Unclassified end result for college students who don’t obtain certainly one of these grades?
Customary setting
Awarding organisations are topic to the necessities of the Common Circumstances in relation to setting specified ranges of attainment. They’re required, for instance, beneath Situation H3 (‘Monitoring the desired ranges of attainment for a qualification’) to evaluation the requirements set: within the qualification beforehand; for related {qualifications} it makes out there; and for related {qualifications} supplied by different awarding organisations.
As these are new {qualifications}, awarding organisations providing them should set the preliminary efficiency normal after which preserve that normal over time with new cohorts of scholars. This is a crucial a part of constructing and sustaining public confidence in these {qualifications}.
For assessments the place grading is separate to the marking course of, there are some extra elements that may very well be required, resembling the way in which through which qualitative and quantitative proof is utilized in setting requirements, to make sure the strategy to the setting and upkeep of requirements promotes constant requirements inside every qualification over time.
Proposal
Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to plain setting and to the upkeep of requirements over time inside their qualification in an evaluation technique. It will require awarding organisations to contemplate their strategy intimately. The evaluation technique will even allow Ofqual to evaluation awarding organisations’ approaches, and to set necessities the place these approaches don’t meet the necessities of the Common Circumstances or aren’t being adopted.
Query 14
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to requiring awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to plain setting and to the upkeep of requirements in an evaluation technique?
Proposal
For assessments the place grading is separate to the marking course of, Ofqual doesn’t suggest to set a single technical strategy to plain setting as this will likely be depending on the qualification design.
Ofqual would, nonetheless, anticipate awarding organisations to supply a full clarification of the technical strategies used, together with evaluation and proof. Ofqual proposes to set out the vary of proof – each qualitative and quantitative – awarding organisations can be anticipated to contemplate. The proof ought to allow awarding organisations to bear in mind the extent of demand of the precise evaluation and be based mostly on consideration of an appropriately consultant pattern of pupil work and the requirements set in earlier years. Awarding organisations must clarify the rationale for his or her strategy, together with the proof and the strategies for use, by their evaluation technique.
Query 15
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposed strategy to plain setting for assessments for these {qualifications}, the place grading is separate to the marking course of?
Ofqual evaluation of those {qualifications}
As a part of DfE’s new approval course of for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges, Ofqual will present suggestions to DfE based mostly on a evaluation of an awarding organisation’s approaches to the design and supply of their {qualifications}. It will embody any adjustments Ofqual considers obligatory for awarding organisations to make to deal with any shortcomings which were recognized as a part of the evaluation.
The evaluation processes will likely be used to determine how assured Ofqual is that the {qualifications} from a given awarding organisation will meet its proposed guidelines on an ongoing foundation. This will likely be based mostly on data supplied as a part of qualification submissions, together with the evaluation methods developed by awarding organisations.
Proposal
Ofqual proposes that, following a evaluation by Ofqual, an awarding organisation should adjust to any necessities and have regard to any steerage, specified to it by Ofqual in relation to the qualification. This is identical requirement that’s being put in place for stage 3 technical occupation and different educational {qualifications} and is being proposed for stage 2 {qualifications} resulting in expert employment.
This requirement will present readability to awarding organisations in regards to the potential outcomes of an Ofqual evaluation. It can additionally be certain that any expectations set following such a evaluation are applied by making it clear to awarding organisations that points recognized through the approval stage that can’t be totally resolved upfront of DfE’s approval choice should nonetheless be addressed. That is vital as some points referring to qualification and evaluation design could not be capable to be resolved totally forward of supply and will should be monitored in supply.
It can additionally complement DfE’s approval features, offering an efficient regulatory software to handle in supply these {qualifications} authorised by DfE, by guaranteeing that any points recognized through the approval course of are totally addressed.
Query 16
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require awarding organisations, following a evaluation by Ofqual, to adjust to any necessities, and have regard to any steerage, specified to it by Ofqual in relation to the qualification?
Withdrawal of approval for public funding
DfE might take away funding approval for a qualification, however an awarding organisation might proceed to make a model of the qualification out there. If a qualification was now not authorised for public funding, the qualification would revert from being regulated in opposition to any extra necessities Ofqual has put in place to being regulated solely in opposition to Ofqual’s Common Circumstances.
In such an occasion, it might be vital for Ofqual to guard the pursuits of scholars throughout any transition interval between the qualification being topic to those proposed extra controls and it being topic solely to the Common Circumstances. Any adjustments made by an awarding organisation should not drawback college students partway by the qualification, for instance if they might have an effect on college students’ evaluation preparation.
Proposal
To guard the pursuits of scholars, Ofqual proposes to require awarding organisations to tell Ofqual when certainly one of their {qualifications} ceases to be authorised for public funding, to clarify the circumstances for this and to request that any extra controls stop to use.
Ofqual could then specify extra necessities, for instance, to find out the date from when any adjustments to an evaluation technique can be permitted. This is able to guarantee readability for all with an curiosity in these {qualifications}, as it might be potential to guard college students for so long as there are some taking the {qualifications} as {qualifications} authorised for funding. This is identical strategy that’s being put in place for stage 3 technical occupation and different educational {qualifications} and is being proposed for stage 2 {qualifications} resulting in expert employment.
Query 17
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to require awarding organisations to inform Ofqual when a qualification ceases to be authorised for public funding, and to complywith any extra necessities that Ofqual specifies because of this?
Impression assessments
Equality affect evaluation
Ofqual is a public physique and, due to this fact, the general public sector equality responsibility within the Equality Act 2010 applies to it. Inside this session, the impacts on college students (constructive and adverse) have been thought of in relation to the proposals, together with on these on college students who share a selected protected attribute and causes resembling their socio-economic background.
The impacts recognized don’t relate to the general authorities coverage for the evaluation of post-16 {qualifications} at stage 2 and beneath. DfE has revealed a separate affect evaluation on its total strategy, which is offered on its web site.
Ofqual welcomes views on these impacts which have been recognized and any solutions for the way any adverse impacts is perhaps mitigated. Views are additionally sought on whether or not there are any impacts which haven’t been recognized and the way any adverse impacts is perhaps mitigated.
Evaluation methods and Ofqual evaluation
Ofqual is proposing that awarding organisations must be required to develop and adjust to an evaluation technique, setting out their strategy to designing {qualifications}. It is usually proposed that, following a evaluation of a qualification by Ofqual, an awarding organisation should adjust to any necessities or observe any steerage supplied by Ofqual on account of that evaluation.
In designing {qualifications}, awarding organisations will even should proceed to satisfy, on an ongoing foundation, the obligations imposed beneath the Common Circumstances, in addition to their wider equalities obligations beneath the 2010 Equality Act. Specifically, Situation D2 (Accessibility of {qualifications}) requires that awarding organisations guarantee they adjust to the necessities of equalities legislation and monitor {qualifications} for any function which might drawback a gaggle of scholars who share a selected attribute and the place these can’t be justified take away them.
This evaluation technique requirement will allow Ofqual to evaluation awarding organisations’ approaches, and to set necessities the place these approaches don’t meet the necessities of the Common Circumstances or aren’t being adopted. As a part of the evaluation of a qualification, Ofqual will be capable to problem and maintain awarding organisations to account the place they aren’t assembly their equalities obligations.
Ofqual considers that these proposals could have constructive equalities impacts on college students who share protected traits.
Functions
Ofqual is proposing to set out the final functions for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. Ofqual can be proposing to require awarding organisations to make sure that the precise functions for every of their {qualifications} are consistent with the final functions, and to clarify how their qualification will fulfil these functions.
Awarding organisations will likely be anticipated to make sure that {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges are designed consistent with these specified functions. It will assist to carry readability in regards to the function of the qualification and what they have to ship for college students. Ofqual has not recognized any equalities impacts on college students who share protected traits, constructive or adverse, associated to this proposal.
Content material
Ofqual is proposing that awarding organisations should clarify of their evaluation technique how they’ve designed and developed their {qualifications} in opposition to the NTOs. It is usually proposed to require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to assessing this data, expertise and understanding over time, guaranteeing that protection of the content material in assessments is consultant and non-predictable.
When growing the content material for a qualification, and the strategy to assessing it, it’s anticipated that an awarding organisation takes account of the wants of scholars, together with college students who share a selected protected attribute, to make sure that they aren’t deprived on account of sharing that specific protected attribute. Underneath Situation E4 (Guaranteeing an evaluation is match for function and may be delivered) awarding organisations should, in designing an evaluation, be certain that it permits Cheap Changes to be made, whereas minimising the necessity for them. As a part of the evaluation of a qualification, Ofqual will be capable to problem and maintain awarding organisations to account the place they aren’t assembly their equalities obligations.
Ofqual considers that these proposals could have a constructive equalities affect on college students who share a selected protected attribute.
Evaluation
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to set all assessments and to specify the managed circumstances beneath which they have to be taken. Ofqual can be proposing to permit awarding organisations to allow centre contextualisation of assessments, together with tailoring eventualities to native wants, to make sure the contexts are appropriate for centres and college students.
Ofqual is just not proposing to prescribe who marks assessments and proposes to subject statutory steerage setting out the elements that awarding organisations ought to contemplate in designing the assessments used of their {qualifications}, referring to qualification measurement, protection of content material, use of context, and emphasis on total efficiency.
As Ofqual is proposing to introduce restricted extra controls on this space, Ofqual considers that there must be no affect on the power of awarding organisations to fulfil their present equalities obligations.
Ofqual has not, due to this fact, recognized any equalities impacts on college students who share a selected protected attribute, constructive or adverse, associated to those proposals.
Grading
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to make use of a typical grading scale of the next grades: Cross, Advantage, Distinction, with an Unclassified end result for college students who don’t obtain certainly one of these grades. It will assist to make sure commonality between awarding organisations and enhance person understanding of the outcomes. It’s recognised that this proposal represents a shift from present apply the place awarding organisations can decide their very own grading strategy, however Ofqual considers that this should not have any affect on the power of awarding organisations to fulfil their present equalities obligations.
Ofqual has not recognized any equalities impacts, constructive or adverse, associated to this proposal.
Customary setting
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to plain setting and to the upkeep of requirements over time inside their qualification, in an evaluation technique. The place grading is separate to the marking course of, Ofqual can be proposing to require awarding organisations to supply a full clarification of their evaluation technique of the technical strategies used, together with evaluation and proof. Awarding organisations will likely be anticipated to confer with a variety of proof, and to take account of the impacts on college students who share a selected protected attribute of the approaches they take.
Ofqual has not recognized any equalities impacts, constructive or adverse, associated to this proposal.
Withdrawal of approval for public funding
Ofqual is proposing that an awarding organisation should inform Ofqual when approval for public funding is withdrawn, to permit Ofqual to determine when the extra Circumstances and necessities for these {qualifications} will stop to use.
This requirement will imply that, within the occasion of approval for public funding being withdrawn, Ofqual will be capable to specify {that a} qualification should proceed to satisfy these necessities till a date specified by Ofqual. This could stop quick adjustments being made to {qualifications} within the occasion that approval for public funding is withdrawn, which is probably going to assist mitigate any potential adverse equalities impacts.
Ofqual has not recognized any equalities impacts on college students who share a selected protected attribute, constructive or adverse, associated to this proposal. Nonetheless, it is going to assist Ofqual to manage within the curiosity of all college students.
Query 18
Are there some other potential equalities impacts (constructive or adverse) on college students who share a selected protected attribute arising from our proposals that Ofqual ought to contemplate? The place potential, please separate your reply by protected attribute.
Query 19
Are there any extra steps that Ofqual might take to mitigate any potential adverse impacts, ensuing from the proposals, on college students who share a selected protected attribute?
Regulatory affect evaluation
It’s recognised that the introduction of recent regulatory necessities in response to the federal government’s evaluation of stage 2 and beneath {qualifications} will, by definition, have a regulatory affect on awarding organisations.
In growing these proposals, Ofqual has tried to discover a stability between introducing extra controls the place that is obligatory to make sure confidence within the new {qualifications}, while additionally guaranteeing that there’s enough flexibility to allow awarding organisations to design {qualifications} which might be properly aligned to the completely different T Degree routes.
Ofqual recognises that a few of the proposals could necessitate adjustments in present approaches to the design, supply, and award of present {qualifications} if they’re to satisfy these regulatory necessities. The affect will range relying on the present approaches that awarding organisations have in place for related {qualifications}.
It’s acknowledged that some adjustments could have a price and useful resource affect on awarding organisations. Ofqual doesn’t at the moment maintain enough data as to what the prices could also be to awarding organisations if some or all of the proposals are applied.
Ofqual welcomes views on the regulatory impacts which were recognized and any solutions for the way any adverse impacts is perhaps minimised. Views are additionally sought on whether or not there are any impacts which have notbeen recognized and the way any adverse impacts is perhaps minimised.
Evaluation methods and Ofqual evaluation
The proposal to require awarding organisations to develop an evaluation technique is meant to offer Ofqual, and in flip college students, confidence that {qualifications} are match for function. Awarding organisations might want to contemplate and tackle points that relate to the design, improvement, and supply of those {qualifications} in an evaluation technique.
Whereas there will likely be some extra necessities for improvement and submission of evaluation methods, the affect of the necessities will likely be restricted to the diploma that awarding organisations are setting out issues they need to have already thought of within the improvement and design of their {qualifications}. It is usually recognised that the potential prices and stage of extra exercise required will likely be impacted by elements such because the earlier expertise of the awarding organisation and the way they interpret Ofqual’s necessities.
The necessities set for evaluation methods by Ofqual ought to complement DfE’s approvals standards for these {qualifications}, with the express intention of lowering the burden on awarding organisations.
The requirement to supply an evaluation technique comparatively early within the qualification improvement and approval lifecycle will minimise the extent to which additional details about an awarding organisation’s strategy could should be requested at a later level, which might assist to easy out the method total and assist to cut back the time taken to evaluation and approve a qualification.
The necessities referring to Ofqual critiques are meant to make sure that Ofqual critiques of {qualifications} submitted to DfE for approval for public funding may be accomplished in a well timed and efficient approach. They are going to permit us to make sure that Ofqual’s expectations in relation to our function within the evaluation of those {qualifications} is obvious. Ofqual is working with DfE on the strategy to reviewing these {qualifications}, with the intention that supplies will likely be supplied by a Single Entry Level utilized by each organisations. This could assist minimise the potential burden of offering supplies for the aim of Ofqual critiques.
Ofqual recognises that this proposal has the potential to trigger some restricted, extra burden, it’s thought of that that is essential to allow Ofqual to manage them successfully in supply and to supply a foundation on which to supply suggestions to DfE as a part of the approvals course of.
Functions
Ofqual is proposing to set out the final functions for {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges. Ofqual can be proposing to require awarding organisations to make sure that the precise functions for every of their {qualifications} are consistent with the final functions, and to clarify how their qualification will fulfil these functions. Ofqual recognises that this proposal could necessitate adjustments in present approaches to the design and supply of present {qualifications} that awarding organisations could want to reform to satisfy the brand new functions and necessities. Ofqual considers that that is proportionate to carry readability in regards to the function of the qualification, promote consistency throughout awarding organisations, and supply the foundations for the strategy to evaluation. The affect will range relying on the present approaches that awarding organisations have in place for related {qualifications}.
Ofqual can be proposing to disapply Common Circumstances E1.1 and E1.2 which require {qualifications} to have an goal in respect of {qualifications} lined by these proposals. Disapplying these Circumstances will guarantee there is no such thing as a battle or duplication between these normal functions and Ofqual’s Common Circumstances. Ofqual considers that this minimises the regulatory burden of the proposal to undertake normal functions on awarding organisations.
Content material
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to clarify of their evaluation technique how they’ve designed and developed their {qualifications} in opposition to the NTOs, together with how they’ve expanded upon the high-level content material within the NTOs. Ofqual can be proposing to require awarding organisations to clarify of their evaluation technique their strategy to assessing this data, expertise, and understanding over time, guaranteeing that protection of the content material in assessments is consultant and non-predictable.
Ofqual recognises that this proposal is more likely to necessitate important adjustments in present approaches to the design and supply of comparable {qualifications}. Ofqual considers that that is proportionate to advertise consistency throughout {qualifications} in the identical T Degree route, and to make sure college students are ready for T Degree examine in that route.
Evaluation
Ofqual is proposing to subject statutory steerage setting out the elements that awarding organisations ought to contemplate in designing the assessments used of their {qualifications} together with qualification measurement, protection of content material, use of contexts, and emphasis on total efficiency. It is usually proposed that an awarding organisation should clarify its strategy to evaluation design by its evaluation technique.
Ofqual recognises that this proposal is more likely to necessitate important adjustments in present approaches to the design and supply of present {qualifications}. Ofqual considers that that is proportionate to make sure that the assessments utilized in these {qualifications} are appropriately designed consistent with the final functions and the ministerial intentions for these {qualifications}.
Grading
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to make use of a typical grading scale of the next grades: Cross, Advantage, Distinction, with an Unclassified end result for college students who don’t obtain certainly one of these grades.
Ofqual recognises that this proposal could signify a shift from the present grading of present {qualifications}, and due to this fact could current a further regulatory burden for awarding organisations. Nonetheless, the affect will range relying on the present approaches that awarding organisations have in place for present {qualifications} and Ofqual considers this to be proportionate to make sure commonality between awarding organisations and enhance person understanding of the outcomes.
Customary setting
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to clarify their strategy to plain setting and to the upkeep of requirements over time inside their qualification, in an evaluation technique.
The place grading is separate from the marking course of, Ofqual can be proposing that awarding organisations present a full clarification of the technical strategies used, taking account of an acceptable vary of proof – each qualitative and quantitative – of their evaluation technique.
Ofqual recognises that additional consideration of normal setting could also be required by awarding organisations on account of these necessities however considers it proportionate to safe public confidence in these reformed {qualifications}.
Withdrawal of public funding
Ofqual is proposing to require awarding organisations to tell it when certainly one of their {qualifications} ceases to be authorised for public funding, and to clarify the circumstances for this and to request that any extra controls past the Common Circumstances stop to use.
Ofqual recognises that there could also be a regulatory affect arising from this proposal, significantly if Ofqual specifies extra necessities to guard the pursuits of scholars throughout any transition interval between the qualification being topic to those proposed extra necessities and it being topic solely to the Common Circumstances.
Ofqual considers this proportionate to guard the pursuits of scholars and guarantee any adjustments made by an awarding organisation don’t drawback college students partway by the qualification, for instance if they might have an effect on college students’ evaluation preparation.
Query 20
Are there any regulatory impacts that haven’t been recognized arising from the proposals? If sure, what are the impacts and are there any extra steps that may very well be taken to minimise the regulatory affect of the proposals?
Query 21
Are there any prices, financial savings or different advantages related to the proposals which haven’t been recognized? Please present estimated figures the place potential.
Query 22
Is there any extra data that Ofqual ought to contemplate when evaluating the prices and advantages of the proposals?
Innovation
Ofqual has an obligation beneath the Apprenticeships, Abilities, Youngsters and Studying Act 2009 to have regard to the desirability of facilitating innovation referring to the availability of regulated {qualifications}. Ofqual has dedicated to surveying awarding organisations’ views of the affect of its regulatory necessities on innovation and to contemplate any revisions required in response.
Ofqual has not recognized something within the proposed regulatory strategy that may stop innovation by awarding organisations within the design and supply of stage 2 {qualifications} supporting development to T Ranges.
Query 23
Do you will have any feedback on the affect of the proposals on innovation by awarding organisations?
Annex A: Session responses and your knowledge
Why we accumulate your private knowledge
As a part of our session course of, you aren’t required to supply your identify or any private data that can establish you. Nonetheless, we’re conscious that some respondents wish to present contact data. When you or your organisation are glad to supply private knowledge, with regard to this session, please full the small print beneath. We wish to hear as many views as potential and be certain that we’re reaching as many individuals as potential. To ensure that us to watch this, perceive views of various teams and take steps to achieve particular teams, we could ask for delicate knowledge resembling ethnicity and incapacity to know the attain of this session and views of particular teams. You don’t have to supply this data andit is completely optionally available.
If there may be any a part of your response that you simply want to stay confidential, please point out on the acceptable level within the survey.
The place you will have requested that your response or any half stays confidential, we is not going to embody your particulars in any revealed listing of respondents, nonetheless, we could quote from the response anonymously so as to illustrate the type of suggestions now we have acquired.
Your knowledge
Your private knowledge:
is not going to be despatched outdoors of the UK until there are acceptable safeguards in place to guard your private knowledge
is not going to be used for any automated choice making
will likely be saved safe
We implement acceptable technical and organisational measures so as to defend your private knowledge in opposition to unintended or illegal destruction, unintended loss or alteration, unauthorised disclosure or entry, and some other illegal types of processing.
Your rights: entry, rectification and erasure
As an information topic, you will have the authorized proper to:
entry private knowledge referring to you
object to the processing of your private knowledge
have all or a few of your knowledge deleted or corrected
stop your private knowledge being processed in some circumstances
ask us to cease utilizing your knowledge, however hold it on file
If you want to train your rights, please contact us utilizing the small print beneath. You too can discover out extra about Ofqual’s privateness data.
Freedom of Data Act and your response
Please notice that data in response to this session could also be topic to launch to the general public or different events in accordance with entry to data legislation, primarily the Freedom of Data Act 2000 (FOIA). We now have obligations to reveal data to explicit recipients together with members of the general public in sure circumstances. Your clarification of your causes for requesting confidentiality for all or a part of your response would assist us stability requests for disclosure in opposition to any obligation of confidentiality. If we obtain a request for the data that you’ve supplied in your response to this session, we are going to take full account of your causes for requesting confidentiality of your response and assess this in accordance with relevant knowledge safety guidelines.
Members of the general public are entitled to ask for data we maintain beneath the Freedom of Data Act 2000. On such events, we are going to often anonymise responses, or ask for consent from those that have responded, however please bear in mind that we can not assure confidentiality.
When you select ‘no’ in response to the query asking if you want something in your response to be saved confidential, we will launch the content material of your response to the general public, however we received’t make your private identify and personal contact particulars publicly out there.
How we are going to use your response
We are going to use your response to assist us form our insurance policies and regulatory exercise. When you present your private particulars, we could contact you in relation to your response. We are going to analyse all responses and produce studies of session responses. In the midst of evaluation, we are going to the place potential keep away from utilizing your identify and call particulars. We are going to solely course of the physique of your response, however we’re conscious that in some instances, this may occasionally include data that might establish you.
Sharing your response
We could share your response, in full, with The Division for Schooling (DfE) and The Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Schooling (IfATE) the place the session is a part of work involving these organisations. We could have to share responses with them to make sure that our strategy aligns with the broader course of. The place potential, if we share a response, we is not going to embody any private knowledge (when you’ve got supplied any). The place now we have acquired a response to the session from an organisation, we are going to present the DfE and IfATE with the identify of the organisation that has supplied the response, though we are going to contemplate requests for confidentiality.
The place we share knowledge, we be certain that ample safeguards are in place to make sure that your rights and freedoms aren’t affected.
We use Citizen House, which is a part of Delib Restricted, to gather session responses they usually act as our knowledge processor. You’ll be able to view Citizen House’s privateness discover.
Your response will even be shared internally inside Ofqual so as to analyse the responses and form our insurance policies and regulatory exercise. We use third celebration software program to supply evaluation studies, which can require internet hosting of knowledge outdoors the UK, particularly the US. Please notice that restricted private data is shared. All private contact data is eliminated throughout this course of. The place we switch any private knowledge outdoors the UK, we ensure that acceptable safeguards are in place to make sure that the private knowledge is protected and saved safe.
Following the top of the session, we are going to publish an evaluation of responses on our web site. We is not going to embody private particulars within the responses that we publish.
We might also publish an annex to the evaluation itemizing all organisations that responded however is not going to embody private names or different contact particulars.
How lengthy will we hold your private knowledge?
Except in any other case said, Ofqual will hold your private knowledge (if supplied) for a interval of two years after the session deadline.
Our authorized foundation for processing your private knowledge
The place you present private knowledge for this session, we’re relying upon the general public process foundation as set out in Article 6(1)(e) of UK GDPR to course of private knowledge which permits processing of non-public knowledge when that is obligatory for the efficiency of our public duties. We are going to seek the advice of the place there’s a statutory responsibility to seek the advice of or the place there’s a official expectation {that a} strategy of session will happen. The place you present particular class knowledge, we course of delicate private knowledge resembling ethnicity and incapacity, we depend on Article 9(2)(g) of UK GDPR as processing is critical for causes of considerable public curiosity.
This privateness discover is supplied by The Workplace of {Qualifications} and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The related knowledge safety regime that applies to our processing is the UK GDPR[footnote 4]and Knowledge Safety Act 2018 (‘Knowledge Safety Legal guidelines’). We ask that you simply learn this privateness discover fastidiously because it accommodates vital details about our processing of session responses and your rights.
You probably have any questions on this privateness discover, how we deal with your private knowledge, or wish to train any of your rights, please contact our knowledge safety officer at dp.requests@ofqual.gov.uk
We are going to reply to any rights that you simply train inside a month of receiving your request, until the request is especially advanced, through which case we are going to reply inside 3 months.
Please notice that exceptions apply to a few of these rights which we are going to apply in accordance with the legislation.
The place you present private knowledge for this session, we’re relying upon the general public process foundation as set out in Article 6(1)(e) of UK GDPR to course of private knowledge which permits processing of non-public knowledge when that is obligatory for the efficiency of our public duties. We are going to seek the advice of the place there’s a statutory responsibility to seek the advice of or the place there’s a official expectation {that a} strategy of session will happen. The place you present particular class knowledge, we course of delicate private knowledge resembling ethnicity and incapacity, we depend on Article 9(2)(g) of UK GDPR as processing is critical for causes of considerable public curiosity.
You even have the proper to lodge a criticism with the Data Commissioner (ICO) if you happen to suppose we’re not dealing with your knowledge pretty or in accordance with the legislation. You’ll be able to contact the ICO at:
