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In these uncertain times, we want to reassure you that TLM is here to assist you. We can be contacted via email on helpdesk@tlm.org.uk (we will normally reply the same day) or phone the office on 01827 305940. Your call may be answered by a member of staff working in the office or from home. If your call is not immediately answered we will call you back.

Assessment arrangements for 2021

Page last updated 13th April

On 6 January 2021, the government confirmed that in summer 2021, students taking GCSE, AS and A levels regulated by Ofqual, should be awarded grades based on an assessment by their teachers.

On Friday 25th February, the government announced the policy and scope of awarding vocational and technical qualifications in 2021. Ofqual also confirmed that it will implement a new principles-based qualifications framework, the Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF).

For in-scope qualifications, the VCRF will permit alternative awarding arrangements that include delaying assessments and adapting assessments, including Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs).

Teachers will be able to draw on a range of evidence when determining grades. This includes the optional use of questions provided by awarding organisations as well as mock exams, coursework or other work completed as part of a pupil’s course (such as essays or in-class tests).

Download TLM's guide for awarding 2021 - NEW

Download TLM Awarding 2021 Overall process summary - NEW

Download Annexe 1 - Head of Centre declaration - NEW

Download Annex2 TLM template for submitting TAGs 2021 - NEW

Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF)

These requirements are set out in the Vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (the VCR Conditions). These conditions came into effect at 13:00 on 24 March 2021 for all vocational and technical qualifications which fall within categories A and B as defined in Condition VCR1.8.

This will cover all assessments that have taken place and are due to take place during the 2020-21 academic year (1 Aug 2020 - 31 Aug 2021)

Ofqual has designed the Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF): Conditions and Requirements and Guidance, deliberately to be flexible - allowing each awarding organisation to operate in the best way to deliver grades to its learners for its own qualifications.

What has The Learning Machine done so far?

TLM has published the guidance that sets out our approach and helps you through the grade determination and submission process in 2021. It is set out in ‘Steps’ that you can easily work through to hopefully, make the awarding process for our qualifications as simple as possible.

TLM's guide for awarding 2021

TLM Awarding 2021 Overall process summary

Annexe 1 - Head of Centre declaration

Annexe 2 TLM template for submitting TAGs 2021

TLM has been asked by Ofqual to categorise our qualifications into different groups based on the qualification characteristics.

Download TLM qual list by category 2021

Summer 2021 Qualification Explainer Tool by Ofqual

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework: outcome of technical consultations - NEW

Consultation outcomes 25th February

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

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

Guidance on Internal and External Assessments

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

Technical support for schools during the pandemic (includes gov.uk links)

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.