AoC Annual Examinations Officers’ Conference15 February 2011

The Regulator’s view

Julie Swan

Outline

Looking back

Current issues

Looking ahead

Shared interests

Looking back: Ofqual established

Established by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 - 1 April 2010

Independent of Government The QCDA

Five statutory objectives: Standards in qualifications Standards in [National Curriculum] assessments Public confidence Awareness Efficiency

Events

Events

How we handle events

Regular/daily contacts with awarding organisations

Centres asked to help students where possible, e.g. make allowances for lateness

Avoid cancellations – comparability and fairness prioritised

Make sure that awarding organisations act consistently and fairly when students miss exams

Value exam officers’ support

Information on our website:

http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/news-and-announcements/161/524

Looking back: first awards of the A level A* grade

Aim: to support identification of highest achievers

Basis of awarding the grade decided by Government in April 2007:

Awarded to candidates who achieve:- a grade A overall in their A level, and- 90% of the maximum uniform marks on the aggregate of the

A2A2 units

Overall 8.1% of candidates achieved an A* grade

We worked extensively with awarding organisations to ensure a consistent approach

Looking back – Diplomas in summer 2010

Larger numbers in 2010

600 learners awarded a diploma at level 3

4,000 learners awarded a diploma at levels 1 or 2

Over 8,000 principal learning awards

C 27,000 project awards

Diploma 2010

Much support from the QCDA The field office team Special checking visits to sample exam offices

Made some technical changes in response lessons from 2009

Looking back: population of the QCF

During 2010 the QCF was populated with qualifications and units.

Currently:

7302 qualifications

32331 units in databank

28268 units in qualifications

Current issues – reforming our regulatory approach

A robust, strategic, risk-based regulator that facilitates innovation

Our role in securing the efficiency of the qualifications market(s)

Future of the Examinations Appeals Board (EAB)

Our principles

The interests of learners are paramount

Fitness for purpose is key to quality

Each awarding organisation is responsible for its qualifications

Content and potential for progression must be clear

There must be a consistent approach to standards in all qualifications

Qualifications must offer value for money

We must learn lessons from the past

Current issues: Government priorities and reforms

GCSE modularisation

14 - 19 Diploma

English Baccalaureate

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG)

International comparability

Current issues: reasonable adjustments for disabled learners in vocational and general qualifications

The Equality Act 2010

Different provisions for vocational and general qualifications

S 96 of the Equality Act gives Ofqual the power to determine what, in general qualifications, can not be subject to a reasonable adjustment

Current issues – entry to HE

We are encouraging transparency with regard to qualification requirements for entry to HE programmes

Looking forward – qualifications frameworks

Currently evaluating the regulatory arrangements for the QCF: Are they too complex? Do they support the flexibilities envisaged for the QCF?

Why have two separate qualifications frameworks (and third one for HE too)?

Looking forward – a new policy framework

More choice for learners in maintained schools?

Changes to GCSE, A levels and the Diploma?

Outcome of Alison Wolf’s enquiry into vocational qualifications for 14 – 19 learners?

New funding arrangements?

Shared interests

In making the qualifications system work for learners and centres

In trust and confidence in qualifications

In dealing consistently, promptly and consistently with ‘events’

In sharing and learning lessons

To close

A word from Isabel Nisbet……

Thank you.www.ofqual.gov.uk