| Vocational Quality Assurance Manager Newsletter |
|
Dear Colleague,
We hope you have had chance to re-charge batteries over the half-term break. We are moving swiftly through the period for standards verification and have reminders in this edition to support you through this important period.
If you have any questions about quality assurance, please contact the team via live chat or the Pearson Support Portal. If you're not already a member, join our QN Community where we share the latest information, and you can network with other BTEC centres.
Features this month include: |
- Confirm lead internal verifiers have contacted standards verifiers and sampling is underway
- Review assessment plans for rules of combination
- Check learner achievement in assessments to date
- Ensure standards verification sampling is underway
- Review any requirements for reasonable adjustments or special considerations
- Book your place at a QN face-to-face networking event
|
Our new meet your VQAM service lets you see our availability and book a 15-minute face-to-face Teams meeting with your VQAM at a time that suits you*.
This gives you the opportunity to quickly get our support and advice and discuss any questions you may have. If any of your lead internal verifiers have questions about the standards verification process, this is the ideal way for them to get quick, personal support.
*Please note these individualised meeting slots will now replace our QA-Catch-up sessions. |
A lot can happen over the course of a year, so here’s a quick reminder of some of the key quality assurance activities for the second term. |
- Check assessment planning is still accurate. Focus on rules of combination; have there been any changes in the units chosen for delivery?
- Have all learners completed assessments as planned? If not, what are the reasons? Are reasonable adjustments required? Do learners need to be transferred to a smaller size to ensure completion this year? Do learners need to be withdrawn?
- Review the circumstances which permit an application for special consideration for BTEC internal assessments; remembering an application can take up to 45 days to process.
- Ensure exam entries and resits have been made for the May/June series.
- Use the VQ Learner Tracker to support your cohort monitoring for completion dates, withdrawals, transfers, identification of missing entries, and eligibility for certification. Learn more about the VQ Learner Tracker to identify actions required.
|
All programmes should now have standards verifier allocations; please ensure your lead internal verifiers are maintaining open communication and are providing the required documents when requested. Early sampling is recommended prior to the deadline of 15 May 2025.
Please share these two videos with your programme teams to help them ensure effective and successful standards verification:
If your lead internal verifiers report a breakdown in communication with their standards verifier, please report this to us so that we can investigate and support. |
We’re excited to offer our face-to-face networking events again this summer. We have 23 in-person dates available where you can meet with colleagues from a range of other centres, share best practice and explore key quality assurance topics for the year ahead.
Join your regional vocational quality assurance manager and curriculum development manager to gain insights on: |
- Level 3 reform – the latest updates and available support
- The new quality assurance model for AAQ BTEC Nationals
- The 2025/26 quality assurance cycle for existing BTEC Entry/Level 1–3 qualifications
- Artificial intelligence – best practices for its positive application and prevention of AI misuse
- New support from the vocational quality assurance management team
- BTEC Tech Awards updates
|
We will prioritise bookings for quality nominees. Additional bookings for other staff members in your centre will be moved to a waiting list.
See the full list of locations below and book your place now at whichever location best suits your location and availability.
|
We are running online sector briefings to give updates on the reform of Level 3 qualifications in England. These sessions are for centres in England only and will focus on the impact of Government reforms on qualifications and funding.
|
Whether you’re new to the role of quality nominee or just want a refresher, our regular Roles and Responsibilities of a Quality Nominee online event will help you to make a success of the role and ensure confidence in the quality assurance of your BTEC provision.
Find an event and book your place
Use our bitesize video library on our dedicated YouTube channel and on-demand materials to develop your staff CPD. The latest additions include ‘Successful Certification of BTEC Learners’, ‘The Quality Assurance Model in 24/25’, ‘The Role of the Lead IV and Team Standardisation’ and coming later in the term, ‘Guide to Standards Verification’.
|
Kind regards,
Helen, Bill, Lee, Liz, Sally, & Sue
Vocational Quality Assurance Managers
|
|
|
|
|
