ÃÛÌÒapp

As notedÌýinÌýourÌý, OfqualÌýguidance states thatÌýallÌýqualificationsÌýissuedÌýthisÌýyearÌýwill need to be Quality Assured. The process for BTECÌýquality assuranceÌýis wellÌýestablished and ourÌýapproach will beÌýtoÌýcontinue working with youÌýcollaboratively toÌýsupport this requirement.

ToÌýfulfilÌýthe requirements on quality assurance,ÌýStandards VerificationÌýwillÌýcontinueÌýin a different formatÌýandÌýwith a different core purposeÌýthisÌýyearÌý-ÌýtoÌýsupportÌýthe Qualification-level TeacherÌýAssessedÌýGrade (TAG)Ìýprocess. In terms ofÌýapproach,Ìýwe can confirm that:

• Where BTEC qualifications share a core purpose of progression,Ìýour priority is to ensureÌýthat learners are not disadvantaged,ÌýandÌýthat theyÌýcanÌýprogressÌýto further study, higherÌýeducationÌýand / or employment
• In line withÌýGeneralÌýQualifications, it will beÌýthe Qualification-levelÌýTAGÌýthat will be theÌýbasis of resultsÌýissued to certificating learners this year, andÌýadditionalÌýguidance will be provided toÌýcentresÌýto supportÌýthemÌýto arrive at this Qualification-level grade.
• Much of the evidence that will be used to inform the Qualification-level TAGÌýwill be based onÌýcompleted, or partially completed internalÌýassessments.
• Where units are completed or partially completed,Ìýwe will work with you and the StandardsÌýVerifiersÌýto give feedback onÌýunit-level standards application, which we believeÌýwill supportÌýcentresÌýwhen they go on to make their Qualification-level TAGÌýjudgements. To reflect theÌýchange of purpose,Ìýonly three learners from one unitÌýwill be selectedÌýforÌýreview.

What willÌýStandards Verifiers (SVs)Ìýbe able toÌýdo?

• SVs will be providing feedback onÌýteacher unit-level assessmentÌýonly.
• This feedback can be used to supportÌýcentresÌýto ascertain their accuracy in the applicationÌýofÌýunit-levelÌýcriteria.
• SVsÌýare able toÌýprovide both sector specific expertiseÌýrelatingÌýto internal assessment,Ìýand support forÌýcentresÌýon the application of unit-levelÌýstandards.
• SVs willÌýnotÌýbe advisingÌýcentresÌýonÌýtheirÌýQualification-level Teacher Assessed Grades, as these judgements will have toÌýtake into accountÌýother forms ofÌýevidence.

Other ways in which your Standards Verifier (SV) can support you:Ìý

• Discuss and confirmÌýreducedÌýassessmentÌýoptions and possibleÌýadaptations available for the programme
• ReviewÌýassessmentÌýplansÌý
• Share good practice in delivery and assessment activities
• Offer advice on alternative resources and approaches to content deliveryÌý
• Suggest alternative approachesÌýwhenÌýgatheringÌýassessmentÌýevidenceÌý
• Provide feedback on assignment briefs, assessment decisions and internal verification

We areÌýin the process ofÌýfinalisingÌýour guidance forÌýcentresÌýto support the Qualification-level ‘Teacher Assessed Grade’ process and we will be issuing this next week. In theÌýmeantime,Ìýwe hope that the aboveÌýwillÌýhelp toÌýanswer some of the key questions raisedÌýas a result ofÌýour announcement on 25 February.

For specific advice and questions on our qualifications, theÌýSubject AdvisorsÌýare available to support you. As a Quality Nominee you can reach outÌýto theÌýÃÛÌÒapp Quality AdvisorÌýteamÌýwho isÌýhere to support you. Please use theÌýÌýto contactÌýus orÌýcall us on 0344 463 2535.ÌýOurÌýphone lines areÌýmonitored from 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

WeÌýknow that this is an extremelyÌýbusy time for you and your teamÌýas you prepare for an 8 March 2021 return of learners. Please be assured that we will continue toÌýwork with you collaborativelyÌýthrough these challenging times and that we are here to support you.