With summer 2017 GCSE, AS and A level exams fast approaching,
Ofqual is today (21 April) encouraging teachers, schools, parents
and students to recognise the importance of reporting any
evidence or suspicions of cheating, malpractice or wrongdoing.
To ensure the message is communicated as widely as possible,
Ofqual is sending a suite of posters to secondary schools and
colleges across England. The posters are also available
below for schools to download if they wish.
A spokesperson for Ofqual said:
It’s our job to ensure that standards are maintained and to
promote confidence in qualifications. Cheating, malpractice or
wrongdoing undermines the hard work of students, teachers and
schools. As well as sending out posters to schools, we’ve made
improvements to our processes to make reporting easier, simpler
and quicker.
If anyone has concerns about qualifications we regulate then we
would urge them to contact the appropriate exam board or us
straight away. All reports are taken seriously and investigated
thoroughly. If you see it or suspect it, report it.
Employees of exam boards, schools, colleges or training centres
should first raise any concerns with their employer if they can.
The GOV.UK website provides general information on
whistleblowing.
If a concern is reported to Ofqual and relates to a school,
college or training centre, Ofqual will ask the appropriate
awarding organisation to investigate. If a concern relates to an
awarding organisation itself, then Ofqual will investigate the
matter.
Before reporting a suspected incidence of malpractice, those with
concerns should read Ofqual’s whistleblowing
policy.
