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‘ofqual’

New Ofsted chair announced

A former chief inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate has been appointed as Ofsted’s next chair. Dame Christine Ryan will replace Professor Julius Weinberg from August 1, education secretary Gavin Williamson announced today. He said Ryan brings a “wealth of experience in the education sector to her new role”. “I am confident that alongside chief […]

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Locked-up and locked-down: how prison education has fared during Covid-19

FE Week takes a look at how prison education has adapted after face-to-face teaching was suspended following the Covid-19 outbreak Formal prison education was largely suspended almost four months ago as part of a wider national jail lockdown to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) advised the Justice […]

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Exam boards to investigate claims of ‘bias’ in teacher-assessed grades

Exam boards will be expected to investigate claims from students that schools and colleges have not shown “care or integrity” in stamping out “bias” in teacher-assessed grades. In updated draft guidance on appeals for exam boards, Ofqual said while they expect such allegations to be rare, it is an “important safeguard” for pupils in this […]

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GCSE and A-level autumn series grades to be based only on exams, Ofqual confirms

Student grades in this year’s autumn exam series will be based on their performance in the tests alone, not on any non-exam assessment, Ofqual has confirmed. The exams regulator has published its decisions following a consultation on the autumn series, which will allow learners who are not happy with their summer calculated grades to sit […]

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Exams regulator to lose their FE lead

The head of Ofqual’s vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) department is stepping down. Phil Beach, who is currently leading the regulator’s Covid-19 response across further education providers and students for cancelled exams, will leave to become chief executive of Energy and Utility Skills – a membership body for the utility workforce – on September 21. […]

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Speed read: The 8 apprenticeship assessment concerns according to Ofqual

Ofqual has today published the findings of their initial “technical evaluations” of apprentice end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs). It covers the first wave of 50 EPAs that the exams regulator was the external quality assurance provider for over the past two years. The aim of the evaluations is to provide EPAOs with guidance “as to how […]

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New free digital skills qualifications given ESFA green light but Ofqual proving a barrier

The government has confirmed that free digital skills qualifications for adults will finally be launched from August 1 – but no awarding organisation has yet gained approval to offer them. Adult education budget funding rules for 2020/21 were published today and include a “legal entitlement to full funding” for “essential digital skills qualification, up to […]

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Coronavirus covered: Coupland in conversation with FE Week

FE Week was joined by Jennifer Coupland, chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), during this week’s webcast on the response to the coronavirus pandemic for the FE and skills sector. Here are the main takeaway points. 1) Temporary discretions and flexibilities for over 100 apprenticeship standards Coupland outlined how external […]

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Nearly half all qualifications assigned new estimated grade process, new Ofqual list reveals

The results for nearly half of all vocational and technical qualifications planned for certifications this summer will be based on a grade calculated by their provider, FE Week analysis has found. Ofqual has published a list of qualifications in scope for their “exceptional arrangements for awarding qualifications” following the cancellation of exams. Sitting alongside an […]

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