SUPPORTING CENTRES (COVID-19)

In response to the current exceptional circumstances and having due
regard both to government policy as set out in your direction and the
responses to our recent joint consultation, we have taken decisions about
the arrangements for awarding that will be put in place this year. We are
committed to playing our part to allow students to receive grades and
progress to the next stage of their education or training or into
employment. All the decisions we have taken following consultation are set
out in full in the two documents attached as annexes to this letter.

Simon Lebus
Chief Regulator

Simon Lebus responds to the Secretary of State’s direction of 23 February 2021

Following recent government advice, external final exams will no longer take place this academic year.

TLM continues to provide moderation on-demand. To request moderation please see The TLM Survival Guide

Provision for learners to produce some of their work from home

Learners can produce work from home to complete the teacher assessed moderated units. Teachers need to take care to not give the learner too much assistance - either through feedback and/or direction regarding content. It is important that the teacher is satisfied, through internal verification, that the work submitted by the candidate is authentic and not the plagiarised work of others.

Further guidance to authenticating the learners work  

It is important that all learners have the facilities in place at home to be able to complete work. The centre needs to ensure that learners have access to the necessary resources eg. computer, internet and a quiet place to work. Crucially, the teacher must inform learners of the risks of obtaining help from members of their family or friends. This can be interpreted as over-assistance.  The teacher must also ensure that their learners can produce work from home without being over directed, either through instructions for completing the task or using resources created by their centre. The learner must understand what malpractice and plagiarism mean in relation to their own work. The teacher should make sure the learner is clear how they reference sources.

When a learner is completing work from home, it is paramount they understand what they must complete. It is advised that there is regular contact between the learner and their teacher to check on progress. All learners need to understand when the teacher expects the work to be completed.

The centre is to keep an up to date record of the units or unit criteria completed away from the centre to be available to TLM on request. 

The teacher should look carefully at the work which is produced outside of the classroom. The teacher should be satisfied that the learners' work matches that which they would expect to see. If they have any concerns about the authenticity of the work then a follow-up discussion with the learner may help to assess their understanding of the work they have produced. Keep a record of any discussions with the learners, so that it can be made available should TLM request it.

Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings

We know that this is a difficult time for students, their parents and carers, teachers and trainers. Our message to students is this: please continue to engage as fully as you can in your education. That will be online for the majority of students, or face-to-face for those students still going in to their school, college or training provider. This will put you in the best position, whatever arrangements are made for your qualifications. It’s important that teachers and students can focus on the knowledge and skills needed to equip students to progress to the next stage, whatever form that might take – whether to college, an apprenticeship, university or employment.

The way ahead is not straightforward: exams and standardised assessments are the fairest way of determining what a student knows and can do. We need to consider a wide range of qualifications – from A levels and GCSEs to many different vocational and technical qualifications – and the solution won’t be the same for all. Following the government’s announcement on Monday evening, we also need to consider how alternative arrangements will work for different students, including those who are independent learners. We are discussing alternative arrangements with the Department for Education. We know that many are seeking clarity as soon as possible. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.

The government has announced that schools and colleges can continue with the vocational and technical exams due to take place in January where it is right to do so. This may be particularly important for vocational and technical qualifications which require a ‘licence to practise’, which can only be fulfilled through practical assessment.

Simon Lebus, Interim Chief Regulator, Ofqual

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-message-from-simon-lebus-chief-regulator-on-exams-in-2021

Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 4 January 2021, only children of critical workers and vulnerable children/young people should attend school or college. All other pupils and students will receive remote education.

Get help with technology during coronavirus

The Get help technology programme is providing a range of support to schools, college. academy trusts and local authorities.
Devices have been made available for disadvantaged children in certain year groups who:

• are affected by disruption to face-to-face education at their school
• have been advised to shield because they are clinically extremely vulnerable

Get laptops and tablets for children attend school due to coronavirus

The Department of Education (DfE) is providing schools with laptops and tablets to help support children and families. Families that require these digital devices or internet should contact their school to discuss requirements for accessing remote education.

Laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers provided during coronavirus

Laptops and digital devices to help children and young people access remote education.