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‘ofqual’

We need to talk seriously about a 9-1 grading system for post 16

If we don’t act on grading soon, higher education providers will start to set their own entrance exams, writes Mark Dawe With the new academic year in full swing, it’s vital the education sector looks back at all we’ve learned over summer 2021. There’s no debate that the pandemic has created challenges for those obtaining […]

Opinion

Numbers have to rise for T Levels to change things for the better

If BTECs continue to be perceived as easier, institutions will always be tempted to teach them, says Ed Reza Schwitzer Government gets a lot wrong. I worked in the Department for Education for six years, and for every new policy we introduced there was always a group that disagreed (and it was sometimes proved right).  […]

Opinion

Ofqual and the Institute are united across their distinctive roles

There is no benefit to anyone if our quality roles compete, write Simon Lebus and Jennifer Coupland Ofqual and the Institute are united in pursuit of our common goal. Both our organisations wish to ensure all apprenticeships and technical qualifications deliver world-class results for employers and learners. Employer-led reforms have already benefitted apprenticeships and T […]

Opinion

Ofqual ‘pleased’ with ‘small’ number of penalties issued for cheating in vocational exams last year

More than 1,300 penalties were issued for cheating in vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) in 2019/20 – with the majority handed out for plagiarism as more students took internal assessments due to Covid-19. But the exams regulator Ofqual, which published the figures today, says it is “pleased” with the overall number because it is “small” […]

News

GCSE and A-level 2022 exams grading plan will be confirmed in October, says Ofqual

A decision on how exams will be graded in 2022 will be announced next month, Ofqual has said. Ofqual chair Ian Bauckham told the Parliamentary education committee this morning that the regulator would confirm grading arrangements in October. But the outcome of a consultation on modifications to assessments next year is still potentially weeks away, […]

News

Gibb and Ofqual to face education committee hearing over exams

Schools minister Nick Gibb and the leadership of exams regulator Ofqual will face questions from MPs at an education committee hearing on this summer’s results and plans for 2022. The committee has announced today that Gibb will appear alongside Ofqual’s interim chief regulator Simon Lebus and interim chair Ian Bauckham. It comes as Lebus, who has […]

News

A-levels 2021: Havering students picket college over lower than expected A-level grades

Students and parents have picketed a London sixth form over accusations the college leadership unfairly altered their A-level grades. The protesters claim grades handed to students at Havering Sixth Form College were not those set by teachers and were instead changed down by senior managers at the college’s parent group, New City College London. Protest […]

News

Labour warns cutting off BTEC funding could entrench inequality

Labour has warned cutting off public funding for BTECs could entrench inequalities in exam results, especially affecting students with free school meals or special educational needs. Ofqual equalities analysis of spring and summer 2021’s results for applied general, like BTEC, and other vocational performance table qualifications, shows students on free school meals were on average […]

News

Next year’s exams could be statistically contentious if we don’t act now

Clear conversations about next year’s exams are needed right away, writes Sharon Witherspoon The last two years have been a rollercoaster when it comes to exams. While last year the government abandoned their poorly considered plans to use an algorithm to award individual grades, this year they took a different approach and delegated responsibility to […]

Opinion