Ofqual has today confirmed how it will make sure there is quality
and fairness for students who take level 3 qualifications that
sit alongside A levels and T levels.
These decisions are informed by the views of students, employers,
awarding organisations, and others who recognise the importance
of these qualifications which enable progression into higher
education and employment.
Alongside these decisions, in a second consultation Ofqual is
seeking views on:
- titles of qualifications
- grading of alternative academic qualifications
- details of the proposed draft regulations
Ofqual’s proposals focus on providing students with good quality,
fair assessments, supported by meaningful grading scales and
titles which make it clear, to all, what these level 3
qualifications represent.
For alternative academic qualifications, Ofqual is requiring that
awarding organisations should set and mark at least 40% of the
assessment to be undertaken by all students, at the same time.
For these alternative academic qualifications, Ofqual is also
proposing putting in place guidance regarding grading scales and
is considering a move to a smaller number of common grading
scales in the future.
Ofqual is also proposing to put in place guidance regarding
grading scales for alternative academic qualifications and
considering a move to a smaller number of common grading scales
for these qualifications in the future.
Dr Jo Saxton, Ofqual Chief Regulator, said:
It is important that students have access to high-quality
qualifications that will help them to build a meaningful career.
Qualifications lead to better opportunities in life.
It is also important that students and employers can easily
identify which qualifications are relevant to them and understand
what the grades awarded represent.
Ofqual has drawn up its proposals for regulating alternative
level 3 qualifications to make sure students best interests are
met.
These proposals all contribute to making sure that qualifications
approved for use alongside A levels and T levels are of high
quality and relevant, an ambition the Department for Education
(DfE) confirmed in July 2021 in its plans to reform post-16
qualifications.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)
is currently consulting on proposals
for its approval of level 3 alternative technical
qualifications.
Ofqual, IfATE and DfE are working together to provide awarding
organisations with a streamlined approval process for all level 3
qualifications, with no duplication of, or tension between,
requirements. Awarding bodies will only be required to submit one
set of documents for approval.
The aim is to have one single source of information once Ofqual’s
and IfATE’s consultations are complete.
Ofqual’s consultation opens today Thursday, 30 June 2022 and runs
for six weeks, closing on Wednesday 10 August 2022.
