Schools will have a three week “window” to provide calculated grades for vocational and technical qualifications from June 1, Ofqual has revealed.
The exams regulator has today published further guidance on grading the courses this summer following the cancellation of exams.
It follows an announcement at the end of April that schools and colleges can either grade qualifications by calculating results, adapting assessments, or, as a last resort, delay assessments until they reopen.
Ofqual reiterated today that the “majority” of learners should receive a calculated result before revealing that schools should “expect awarding organisations to ask you to provide centres assessment grades and other information about learners in a window of up to three weeks, starting June 1”.
This will only be a week after the regulator publishes its response to the current vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) consultation on 22 May.
Ofqual intends to publish an “app” that will allow providers to see what qualifications are in scope for calculated grades or need adapted assessment “when we publish the outcomes of our consultation”.
The new guidance states that in “exceptional circumstances” where awarding organisations need to extend the window beyond three weeks, “they will be in touch with you”.
“The window will allow them time for awarding organisations to quality assure the data, check the overall profile of outcomes and if necessary raise any queries with centres before results are issued,” Ofqual said.
“If you feel your awarding organisation’s deadline is unachievable, you should speak to them urgently.”
Results day for level three VTQs will be held on August 13 alongside A-levels, while level two results will be given to students on 20 August alongside GCSE.
Ofqual’s new guidance can be found here.
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