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Vocational Quality Assurance
Manager Newsletter

7 October 2026
Dear colleague,

Whether you're new to the quality nominee role or returning for another year, this newsletter brings together the key guidance, resources and reminders you need to start the academic year with confidence.

You'll find practical support, important deadlines and useful links to help you manage quality assurance activities at your centre throughout the coming months.

If you have any questions about quality assurance, please contact the team via the Pearson Support Portal. If you'd like to talk something through, you can book a Teams call with us at a time that suits you. 
Features this month
  • Review the Centre Guide for Quality Nominees. Whether you’re new to the role or simply want a refresher on your responsibilities and key deadlines, this guide covers everything you need to know.  
    Download the Centre Guide for Quality Nominees
  • Register students by 1 November
  • Remind lead internal verifiers and programme teams that the entry deadline for January to March external assessments is 16 October.
  • Visit the Meet Your VQAM page and book a call with us if you’d like support or have any questions. 
If you're delivering BTEC Firsts, Nationals or L2 Technicals, you'll need to submit your digital assessment plans for new cohorts by 13 November.

Support is available if you need help getting started:
  • Access the Centre Guide to Digital Assessment Plan
  • Book onto a drop-in session to ask any questions
  • Watch the video tutorial
You can check appendices A and B in the centre guide to see exactly which qualifications are in scope.


Important: top-up registrations

Students topping up to a larger qualification this academic year are treated as new registrations. To make sure your digital assessment plan passes validation, include all units the student completed and claimed in the previous academic year, and backdate the plan where required.

During standards verification in the spring term, ask your lead internal verifier to explain the set-up to the standards verifier so there is no confusion about unit requests.


What happens after you submit your plan?

We've started validating submitted digital assessment plans against the relevant rules of combination.

If a plan doesn't pass validation, both you and the lead internal verifier for the programme will receive an email explaining the issue. For example, the notification may highlight incompatible unit combinations or a qualification approaching its end date. This gives you time to review and correct any issues before they affect learner outcomes 
Find your VQAM for 2026/27

We've made some changes to VQAM regional coverage for 2026/27. To make sure you know who supports your centre this year, check the latest VQAM map. Check the updated VQAM map


Work-based learning centres: complete your centre self-assessment

The annual centre self-assessment is now available for you to complete in Pearson Progress by 3 November.

Completing the self-assessment helps you review your centre's quality assurance arrangements and identify any areas that may need attention during the year.

Need help getting started?
Read our guide to the centre self-assessment


Stay up to date with post-16 reforms

Our dedicated updates page brings together the latest information, key developments and opportunities to help shape future qualifications. Bookmark the page and sign up for updates so you don't miss important announcements.
Post-16 review updates
Whether you're new to the quality nominee role or would like a refresher, our Roles and Responsibilities of the Quality Nominee event will help you understand your responsibilities, key deadlines and sources of support. 

We also run dedicated sessions for colleagues who are new to the lead internal verifier role, helping them prepare for the year ahead with confidence. 
Find an event and book your place
If your centre delivers Functional Skills, make sure your lead internal verifiers complete their standardisation activity. 

The standardisation materials are unchanged from last year, but the activity must still be completed annually. Your lead internal verifiers should keep evidence of their OSCA accreditation and team standardisation activities, as these will be reviewed during standards verification. 

You'll find guidance on registration, standardisation and quality assurance requirements in the Functional Skills quality assurance hub. 
Functional Skills quality assurance hub
If you're new to the quality nominee role, it can be difficult to know where to go for support. Here's a quick guide to the teams that can help with some of the most common questions.


Need help with qualification content or assessment decisions?

Subject advisors can support you with qualification content, assessment requirements and the application of assessment criteria. You'll find contact details and appointment booking links on each subject page.
Sign up for Subject Advisor updates and book an appointment


Need help with registrations, claims or Edexcel Online?

Account specialists can help with Edexcel Online access and accounts, student registration and claims, exam and external assessment bookings, and authentication app queries.  

You can contact them on 0344 463 2535, via the Pearson support portal or via live chat link on the
exams officer support page.


Planning your curriculum in a school?

UK school sales can help you explore qualification options and support curriculum planning and development.  
Find your local UK school sales contact and book a meeting


Planning your curriculum in an FE or work-based learning setting?

Curriculum development managers can support FE and work-based learning centres with curriculum planning and development.  
Find your local curriculum development manager and book a meeting 
Kind regards ,

Helen, Bill, Ffion, Liz & Sally
Vocational Quality Assurance Managers

Pearson Customer Services

The Lighthouse, Manchester, M50 3BF

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