btec centre guide to quality assurance - edexcel · 2020-02-21 · version 1.0 september 2019 dcl1...

BTEC Centre Guide to Quality Assurance

Year 2019 - 2020

Version 1.0 September 2019 DCL1 of 37

BTEC Centre Guide to Quality Assurance 2019-20

1. Introduction This guide provides you with the information you need to deliver BTEC Quality Assurance in 2019/20. We want to make delivering a BTEC as simple as possible, provide all the support you need from the start and tailor our Quality Assurance process towards your needs to ensure you can be confident in the assessment of BTEC qualifications. To achieve this, we have introduced the following improvements:

1. Removal of Quality Management Review and the Centre Engagement Document We have introduced a simpler and more streamlined Annual Centre Declaration.

2. Introducing a Pearson BTEC Lead Standards Verifier Role or a named Pearson QA

Advisor (depending on the size of your BTEC provision) BTEC Lead Standards Verifiers will have an overview of centre level Quality Assurance cycle at centre level. They will discuss and support you to manage our quality assurance processes across multiple BTECs and subject areas and provide ongoing support throughout the year.

3. More Upfront Assessor and Lead IV Standardisation

We will be offering ongoing support via training and feedback activities and events. This will contribute to CPD and the accuracy of your assessment decisions for internally assessed units.

4. Removing ‘OSCA tests’ for Centre Assessors

A Lead IV must still be registered and use centre standardisation materials at the start of the year with their Assessor teams, but there is no multiple-choice test to undertake and OSCA accreditation will cease to exist from 2019/20.

5. Risk-Based Standards Verification

Risk-based standards verification is about making decisions based on data analysis and evidence, allowing us to tailor standards verification activity and provide more focused support.

We’re here to help If you need more information or support at any stage, please do contact us and we will do our very best to help.

For all enquiries please use the contact us link on any of our website pages. Select ‘send us a message’ and then complete the form in as much detail as possible to ensure a timely response by our teams. Including your centre number will help us to quickly find your records.

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/contact-us.html



2. Qualifications covered by BTEC Quality Assurance

This guide provides you with the information you need to deliver quality assurance for the following BTEC programmes:

● BTEC Tech Awards ● BTEC Level 2 and 3 Technicals ● BTEC Entry and Level 1 Introductory Suite (from 2016) ● BTEC Level 3 Nationals (from 2016) ● BTEC 2010 QCF Level 3 Nationals, Level 2, Specialists, Level 1 and Entry Level ● BTEC 2012 BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.

BTEC PSD, Work Skills and Skilled for Life qualifications will not be subject to the risk rating and will be subject to annual standards verification activity.

The following qualifications remain subject to the Work Based Learning (WBL) Quality Assurance Lead Standards Verifier activities:

• Level 1 – 7 Pearson Edexcel and Pearson NVQs and competence-based qualifications regulated by Ofqual

• Pearson Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) regulated by SQA Accreditation • BTEC Apprenticeship frameworks (except the Functional skills suite) • BTEC Security and Fire qualifications

For the following qualifications, you will need to complete the Annual Declaration and will remain subject to External Examination:

• Higher Nationals • Level 4 – 7 BTEC Professional Qualifications

If you are a Private Training Provider delivering BTEC Level 4-7 qualifications these will remain subject to Academic Management Review (AMR) and External Examination.



3. The BTEC Quality Assurance Cycle The BTEC Quality Assurance Cycle is a four stage process. The cycle has been designed to allow us to:

• work in partnership with you with a collective responsibility in ensuring every learner receives the right result for their BTEC qualifications

• tailor our approach to provide you with more individualised and targeted advice and activity

• allow everyone involved at each stage of the process to understand their role • ensure that you are managing appropriate quality assurance systems and procedures

The next section of this guide will explain each stage of the process in detail and provide some of our most Frequently Asked Questions to support you with implementing the improvements to the BTEC Quality Assurance model.



Stage 1 BTEC Annual Centre Declaration

In September, the Quality Nominee and Head of Centre will need to complete the Annual Declaration and upload the completed form to Edexcel Online.

The purpose of the form is for you to confirm that all policies and procedures required for the delivery of BTEC qualifications are in place, detailed, effective and have been contextualised for your centre. There is not a requirement to submit copies of these documents to Pearson however they will need to be made available upon request. The Declaration also serves as your acceptance of Pearson's Terms and Conditions of Centre Recognition and Qualification Approval for delivering BTEC qualifications. It will also enable you to tell us about any changes to your centre that might require our support or endorsement.

The Declaration must be signed electronically by your Head of Centre and Quality Nominee before being submitted to Edexcel Online to confirm that staff holding these roles understand and agree to their responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions How do I access the Centre Declaration? The Centre Declaration is a word document which can be found on Edexcel Online. A copy of the Annual Centre Declaration can be found in Appendix A for your reference. Is there still a requirement to complete a self-assessment statement? No. We have removed the need for you to complete a statement against each Quality Objective and now require you to confirm requirements have been met through a series of checkboxes.

What policies do we need to have in place? You are required to have in place the following policies and procedures for managing:

• Equality and Diversity • Safeguarding • Health and Safety (including any arrangements for employer Involvement) • Distance learning (if applicable) • Special consideration and reasonable adjustment • Recognition of prior learning • Registration and Certification of learners • Assessment • Internal verification • Plagiarism and Assessment Malpractice • Appeals & Complaints • Employer Involvement (if appropriate)

Your centre policies and procedures must be detailed and contextualised in terms of how BTEC programmes and their quality assurance work in your centre. Although you will not have



to send them to Pearson, the policies and procedures may be requested if an issue arises during the QA cycle. All policies and procedures must be reviewed and evaluated annually. Stage 2 Centre Assessor: Standardisation

The Role of the Lead Internal Verifier

It’s a requirement for centres to identify a single Lead IV for each BTEC Principal Subject Area being delivered. This role acts as the point of accountability for the quality assurance and standards of these programmes. This means that where possible, the Lead IV should be involved in the assessment and delivery of the programme and have a good understanding of the units being assessed. A summary of the key responsibilities can be found in the table below:

Responsibility Explanation Timeline

Register as a Lead IV with Pearson

• Register via OSCA, accessed through Edexcel Online to confirm Lead IV is still in role for the subject

By 30 September 2019

Undertake annual standardisation for your subject area

• Access annual standardisation training materials for each qualification suite delivered via OSCA and work through these with your centre team, keeping a record of this activity

• Confirm this activity has been completed via OSCA

By 30 September 2019

Support assessment and internal verification within your subject area

• Facilitate regular standardisation activities with your team throughout the academic year

• Share information about standards with your team to ensure that assessment across all cohorts is to national standards

• Agree and sign off an assessment and internal verification plan for all cohorts from the start of the programme

• Oversee and support internal assessment and internal verification for all cohorts to ensure that they are consistently applied

• Sample verification and assessment across the qualifications for which you have responsibility

October 2019 to July 2020



• Where appropriate and required, authorise a maximum of one resubmission opportunity for any learner for internally assessed units following summative assessment

• Ensure that assessment and internal verification plans are made available to your Standards Verifier on request

• Ensure that records of assessment and internal verification and current learner work are available for scrutiny by Pearson on request

• Liaise with your Standards Verifier to ensure that appropriate samples of assessed and internally verified learner work are available for sampling

• Sign the Lead IV Declaration to confirm that samples sent for standards verification are complete, accurate and authentic

• Ensure that records of assessment and internal verification are retained for 3 years for your subject

• Ensure that learner work is retained for 12 weeks after certificates are issued

Standardising Assessment Teams

Once the Lead IV has registered, they will be able to access standardisation materials. The Lead IV is required to use these materials to train/standardise their Assessors and Internal Verifiers. This ensures that everyone involved in the assessment of learner work understands national standards. Centres should retain evidence that this process has taken place and make the evidence available on request.

The standardisation material will include:

• assignments, assessed learner work, assessor and internal verifier comments • questions • Senior Standards Verifier (SSV) commentaries

To get the most from the materials, we suggest you:

1. Access the practice materials and make notes on how the work would be assessed at your centre, comparing the work to your own practice.



2. Respond to the questions, then compare your responses to those provided by the SSV. You can use the commentaries to help understand the rationale for the standard provided by the SSV.

3. Make notes on any implications for your centre’s assessment and quality assurance practice.

Please note: From 2019/20 due to the introduction of the risk rating for BTEC qualifications, there is no longer a requirement for Lead IVs to gain or reinstate OSCA accreditation for QCF qualifications. Lead IVs will be required to register or reinstate their registration annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of having a Lead IV if sampling is informed by a ‘risk-rating? The Lead IV is a key role within the BTEC Quality Assurance cycle and has responsibility for ensuring their assessing teams understand national standards. It is therefore important to have a member of staff assigned to this role for each BTEC subject delivered, as it enables consistency in national assessment standards. If the Lead Standards Verifier has sight of Lead IV registrations will there be a deadline for completion of initial standardisation? The deadline for Lead IVs to register and complete standardisation activity with their assessment teams is 30 September 2019. Lead Standards Verifiers will be made aware of any Lead IVs who haven’t completed these requirements by the deadline via the risk ratings for the programme or by notification from Pearson. Will we still need to register Lead IVs? Yes. Lead IVs will still need to register to confirm they are still in role for the BTEC qualifications within their subject area. Several of our Lead IV's had OSCA accreditation and therefore were only sampled some years, so won't have 3 years of full data. Seems unfair for them to be given a higher risk rating for being OSCA accredited in the past. Section 3b lists the risk rating criteria which takes a number of factors into account and not just previous standards verification history to avoid disadvantaging Lead IVs who have previously been accredited for QCF qualifications.



Stage 3.1 BTEC Lead Standards Verifier Activity

Overview of Quality Assurance Activity

Your centre will either receive support from:

• a visiting BTEC Lead Standards Verifier • a remote BTEC Lead Standards Verifier • a visiting Work Based Learning Standards Verifier • a Pearson QA Advisor

The table below sets out how each activity will be assigned:

BTEC

Lead SV WBL Lead

SV

Pearson QA

Advisor

BTEC Programmes

Subject to Risk Rating

BTEC Programmes Direct to SV Allocation

BTEC Provider (FE or SCHOOL or HE or WBL) with 200+ BTEC learners registered Visit

Yes -if delivering WBL quals

Yes

BTEC Provider (FE or SCHOOL or HE or WBL) which has been identified as requiring monitoring and support and/or centres with a high proportion of programmes rated as Enhanced Control for sampling Visit


Yes

BTEC Provider (FE or SCHOOL or HE or WBL) with 100-199 BTEC learners registered Remote


Yes

BTEC Provider (FE or SCHOOL or HE or WBL) with 99 or less BTEC learners registered

Yes -if

delivering WBL quals

Yes Yes

BTEC Provider (FE or SCHOOL or HE or WBL) delivering PSD only and/or Work Skills only and/or Skilled for Life only


Yes



BTEC Lead Standards Verifiers and Pearson QA Advisors will have access to the following information for your centre:

• BTEC Annual Centre Declaration • BTEC programmes being delivered in 2019/20 and the volume of learner registrations • Historical Standards Verification and Quality Management Review reports • Risk ratings assigned to BTEC programmes • Live 2019/20 standards verification schedule once allocated

3.1.1 Visiting BTEC Lead Standards Verifier

Overview of Activity

The Lead SV will conduct a full day visit between October to December. This timeframe will ensure risk ratings are finalised by January, ahead of a Standards Verifier being allocated to your BTEC programmes.

The purpose of the visit is to:

• Meet individually with identified Lead IVs • Review internal assessment processes to ensure accurate outcomes for learners • Work with you to ensure continual improvement • Provide or signpost support required by BTEC teams • Identify any actions to improve programme delivery or QA systems • Triangulate evidence with Pearson held data to recommend a final risk rating for

your BTEC standard verification schedule

Once allocated, your Lead Standards Verifier will contact your Quality Nominee to arrange an initial telephone or video call to introduce themselves and get to know your centre. During this conversation, the Lead Standards Verifier will agree a mutually convenient date for the visit. The conversation will also provide the opportunity to discuss the Annual Declaration and risk ratings assigned to BTEC programmes in your centre. There will also be the opportunity to discuss any outstanding actions or issues from the previous year’s quality assurance cycle. Please note, the purpose of this visit is to support your centre to be successful, it is not an inspection.

Arranging the Visit

The visit plan (Appendix 2) will outline the plan for the day and will be agreed at least 1 week prior to the visit. The Lead Standards Verifier will identify which Lead IVs they will need to meet with and will request that the Quality Nominee arranges convenient timings for the meetings to take place based on your centre’s needs. The visit should not require onerous cover arrangements and each Lead IV will be required for approximately 30 minutes. If there is a need to amend the visit plan due to unforeseen circumstances please do let the Lead Standards Verifier know so that they can plan accordingly, but do not worry if the



changes have to be made on the day – the Lead Standards Verifier is there to be supportive and flexible and will understand that sometimes changes are unavoidable.

The visit plan will also outline any evidence that the Lead Standards Verifier will need to see on the day. If there are specific queries that arise on the day then the Lead Standards Verifier may ask to see other documentation, such as a policy relating to BTEC programmes for that issue, but you will not be asked for anything that you have not already said that you have in place via the Centre Declaration.

The Visit

At the start of the visit, the Lead Standards Verifier will engage in an initial discussion with the Quality Nominee to pick up areas discussed during the initial telephone conversation and to ensure the Lead Standards Verifier has the most up to date information for your centre.

The Lead Standards Verifier will then meet individually with the Lead IVs as agreed. The purpose of this is:

• to confirm that each Lead IV understands their own role in managing the assessment team in their subject area

• to review evidence for quality assurance processes, providing judgements and feedback against the Lead Standards Verifier Objectives and Measures framework

• to review assessment documentation for any resubmission opportunities to confirm that the process has been followed correctly (learner work will not be requested)

• to review assessment tracking documents against certification claims for the previous year

• to triangulate all information available to inform the standards verification schedule for that subject

• to confirm a robust and effective quality assurance process is in place which allows for reliable assessment to take place

The Lead Standards Verifier will also be available to support assessment staff throughout the day who are welcome to ‘drop in’ with any queries concerning the delivery and assessment of BTEC qualifications. Outcomes from the Lead Standard Verifier Visit

Following the visit, the Lead Standards Verifier will submit a report within 10 working days. This will show one of the following outcomes:

Outcome Description



Submitted Your Lead Standards Verifier has confirmed that your centre is meeting the expectations outlined in the Quality Objectives and Reliability of Assessment Criteria. This means that certification at Centre Level is released* for this academic year and no further action is required. *Programmes remain subject to standards verification to release certification at programme level.

Pending - Centre Actions Required

Your Lead Standards Verifier has identified essential actions that need to take place to ensure full compliance with the Quality Objectives and Reliability of Assessment Criteria.

This means that, certification is temporarily suspended at Centre Level and you must provide sufficient evidence for the set actions within 1 month to your allocated Lead Standards Verifier.

Certification Released

Set actions have been fully met and certification is now released* at centre level. *Programmes remain subject to standards verification to release certification at programme level.

Centre Quality Manager Support Required

Your Lead Standards Verifier has confirmed that there is still insufficient evidence for one or more of the Quality Objectives and/or Reliability of Assessment Criteria following actions being set. As a result your certification is still suspended and will be referred to the Centre Quality Manager (CQM) who will make contact with you to support you in ensuring your centre meets the requirements in full.

Supporting You

Following the visit, your Lead Standards Verifier will be available to support you. They will be in monthly contact with you to check how activities are progressing and for you to escalate any concerns or issues you may be experiencing. 3.1.2 Remote BTEC Lead Standards Verifier


The Lead Standards Verifier will provide support between October to December. This timeframe will ensure risk ratings are finalised by January, ahead of a Standards Verifier being allocated to your BTEC programmes. The purpose of the remote activity is to:

• Provide you with the opportunity to discuss the risk ratings assigned to BTEC programmes at your centre



• Work with you to ensure continual improvement • Provide or signpost support required by BTEC teams • Identify any actions to improve programme delivery or QA systems

Once allocated, your Lead Standards Verifier will contact your Quality Nominee to arrange an initial telephone or video call to introduce themselves and get to know your centre. The conversation will provide the opportunity to discuss the Annual Declaration. There will also be the opportunity to discuss any outstanding actions or issues from the previous year’s quality assurance cycle and identify any Lead IVs of members of staff who would benefit from having an individual discussion with the Lead Standards Verifier at a later date.

Outcomes from the Remote Lead Standard Verifier Activity

Once all discussions have been completed, the Lead Standards Verifier will submit a report within 10 working days. This will show one of the following outcomes:

Outcome Description

Submitted Your Lead Standards Verifier has confirmed that your centre is meeting the expectations outlined in the Quality Objectives and Reliability of Assessment Criteria. This means that certification at Centre Level is released* for this academic year and no further action is required. *Programmes remain subject to standards verification to release certification at programme level.

Pending - Centre Actions Required

Your Lead Standards Verifier has identified essential actions that need to take place to ensure full compliance with the Quality Objectives and Reliability of Assessment Criteria.

This means that certification is temporarily suspended at Centre Level and you must provide sufficient evidence for the set actions within 1 month to your allocated Lead Standards Verifier.

Certification Released

Set actions have been fully met and certification is now released* at centre level. *Programmes remain subject to standards verification to release certification at programme level.

Centre Quality Manager Support Required

Your Lead Standards Verifier has confirmed that there is still insufficient evidence for one or more of the Quality Objectives and/or Reliability of Assessment Criteria following actions being set. As a result your certification is still suspended and will be referred to the Centre Quality Manager (CQM) who will make contact with you to support you in ensuring your centre meets the requirements in full.

Supporting You



Following the remote activity, your Lead Standards Verifier will be available to support you. They will be in monthly contact with you to check how activities are progressing and for you to escalate any concerns or issues you may be experiencing.

3.1.3 Assigned Pearson QA Advisor


We will contact you in October to provide you with the risk ratings assigned to your BTEC programmes and offer you the opportunity to discuss in more detail as required.

Supporting You

Following the release of the risk ratings, your Vocational Quality Advisor will be available to support you. They will be in monthly contact with you to check how activities are progressing and for you to escalate any concerns or issues you may be experiencing.


How will I see which type of QA activity has been assigned to my centre?

This will be identified on Edexcel Online.

For how many years will a Lead Standards Verifier be allocated to my centre?

Building a relationship with our customers is important to us, therefore we have pledged that Lead SVs will be allocated to centres for 5 years (providing they are still in role and no ‘conflict of interest’ emerges.)

Will the phone call from the Lead Standards Verifier be pre-arranged to allow the QN to prepare?

Yes. A mutually convenient time will be arranged to ensure the call takes place at a time suitable for you.

Will the Lead Standards Verifier meet with learners?

No. Lead Standards Verifiers will not meet with learners.

Can the Quality Nominee be part of the Lead IV meetings?

We will require Lead IVs to meet individually with your Lead SV. This is to ensure the Lead Standards Verifier is able to provide individual and targeted support to the Lead IV whilst obtaining an honest appraisal of the quality assurance cycle for that subject area. Lead SVs will be focused on BTEC and cannot be drawn into any conversations relating to content outside of their remit.

What will be the time delay in issuing the report if this needs to go through quality assurance checks (i.e. report checked by the Team Leader)?

Lead Standards Verifiers will have 10 working days from the date of their activity with you to submit their report. They will be subject to quality assurance checks from their Team Leader

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-for-you/administrators/quality-nominees.html



to ensure their decisions and report writing are appropriate. We have stated this activity needs to take place within the first 5 working days to minimise delays of issuing reports to our customers.

Will my Lead Standards Verifier have an overview of SV outcomes as they happen?

Yes. Lead Standards Verifiers will have visibility of the live standards verification schedule for your centre including the outcomes and reports.

Can inexperienced or new Lead IVs have a buddy or other member of staff with them during their meeting with the Lead Standards Verifier?

Yes. This is acceptable and Lead Standards Verifiers have been informed of this decision.

Will the Lead Standards Verifier be a point of contact in relation to SV issues - will they be aware of allocations and have contact with SVs?

The Lead SV will be a point of contact for you throughout the year and will have visibility of the allocations for your centre and the contact details for the Standards Verifiers.

Will Welsh and Gaelic speaking centres be able to have an appropriate bi-lingual Lead Standards Verifier as well as Standards Verifiers?

Where possible, and Welsh or Gaelic speaking Lead Standards Verifiers are available, we will aim to allocate in this way.

Please remember that the Pearson Language Policy states that all BTEC quality assurance activities must be conducted in English and requires all BTEC policies and procedures to be translated into English. All evidence requested for the Lead Standards Verifier activity must be provided in English.

Will centres who are part of a Federation be able to have the same allocations of Lead Standards Verifiers and Standards Verifiers?

Yes. We will allocate the same Lead Standards Verifier to all centres operating within a Federation, Multi Academy Trust and Consortia arrangement.

Will the spot check of resubmissions be of 'in year' decisions or past academic year?

Due to the time of year Lead Standards Verifiers will be conducting their activity, this will be a spot check of resubmissions which have taken place in the previous year up to a maximum of 5 learners per subject across the qualifications being delivered in your centre.

Do all resubmission authorisations need to be retained for 3 years as part of the assessment decision evidence?

Whilst the Lead Standards Verifier will only be looking at evidence from the previous academic year, as a centre you are required to retain assessment documentation - not the learner work - for 3 years in line with the BTEC terms and conditions. For resubmissions, this must include:

• First submission assessment record • Lead IV authorisation for the resubmission • Learner authenticity statements • Resubmission assessment record • Internal verification records where this has taken place



Will the ‘SV feedback’ facility be turned back on in Edexcel Online?

We are currently working on developing this feature to ensure it is up to date and fit for purpose for this Quality Assurance model and will provide customers with an update as soon as we can. In the meantime, we welcome your feedback on our improved QA experience, through the contact us portal, or via you Vocational Quality Advisor.

Stage 3b Risk Rating for BTEC Qualifications

A risk-based approach to standards verification will be introduced from 2019/20. The purpose of a risk-based approach is to have a clearer understanding of your centre, allowing Pearson to identify good practice whilst allowing us to support centres with reliable and accurate assessment.

Criteria Reference Sampling Control Definition

8 Centre has a QA Record Depends on the nature of the QA record and the subsequent action taken

This means where there has been a centre level block issued for Quality Management Review in the previous year.

4 Programme has investigation record - not just written warning

Enhanced This means that the programme has been subject to a Pearson investigation within the past 12 months, which resulted in more than just a written warning.

6 Programme has investigation record - written warning only

Depends on the outcome of the investigation

This means that the programme has been subject to a Pearson investigation within the past 12 months which resulted in a written warning.

12 Internal outcomes are higher than external outcomes

Enhanced This means that for programmes with external assessment, the results for internal units were higher than the results for external units.

16 The percentage of D grades for mandatory units are in the top 10% of all programmes nationally

Enhanced This means that the number of Distinction grades claimed for each mandatory unit on the programme were higher than the national average.



9 Overall programme outcomes at D level or above are in the top 10% for level of performance

Enhanced This means that qualification outcomes for previous year were high in relation to other centres.

10 Overall programme outcomes at P level are in the top 10% for level of performance

Enhanced This means that qualification outcomes for the previous year were low in relation to other centres.

15 Grades claimed for programme were different to those agreed by the Standards Verifier in the previous sampling window

Medium This means that the grades claimed for learners in 2018/19 did not match those agreed by the SV.

5 Programme is being delivered by the centre for the first time

Medium This means the programme has not been delivered in the centre before.

3 Programme had no registrations in Sector Code in preceding 3 years

Medium This means where the programme may not have been delivered in the centre in the past 3 years.

7 Programme has block record for the Sector Code

Medium This means where a programme has been blocked at first sample or second sample at least once within the past 3 years.

14 Programme has exemption record within the past 12 months

Medium. This means the programme has not been subject to standards verification in the past 12 months They will have been subject to either:

• OSCA accreditation • Dr Less Than 10



• Dr Low Risk • Dr NQF High Integrity • Dr SV Not Required • Dr Advised Not Running • Dr Deferred

2 Programme has registrations for the new specifications

Medium This means where there are registrations for one of the following qualification suites: BTEC RQF L3 Nationals First Teach 2017 BTEC L2/L3 Technicals BTEC Tech Awards BTEC Firsts which were revised for First Teach 2018 BTEC RQF Entry Level First Teach 2018 BTEC Level 3 Off Measures qualifications First Teach 2017.

1 Programme is a priority Sector Code

Medium This means that the programme has a Licence to Practice and requires sampling but has not been flagged in any of the earlier criteria.

11 Programme has a cohort size increase of 20 learners or more

Medium This means where the cohort size has increased by at least 20 learners compared to the previous year.

17 Lead IV hasn’t registered for subject area

Medium This means that a Lead IV hasn’t registered for the subject area.

18 Lead IV hasn’t completed standardisation with their team

Medium This means the Lead IV hasn’t confirmed they have completed standardisation activities with their team/s.

13 Programme didn't come up with any of the risk factors

Low This means that all risk criteria have been exhausted for the



programme and none have been flagged.


Will I have access to the risk ratings prior to the Lead Standards Verifier activity?

Yes. We are currently unable to provide this to customers online however we will provide a copy of the initial risk ratings to you via your Lead Standards Verifier or Pearson QA contact. Once the Lead Standards Verifier report has been submitted, you will be able to see the confirmed risk ratings here.

Our BTEC learners often do better in internal than external units - will any allowance be made for this?

This process is about confirming the reliability of assessment for BTEC programmes and identifying and mitigating any potential risks to the safe certification of learners. If the risk criteria assigned to the programme relates to internal vs. external outcomes, an Enhanced Control sample will need to take place to confirm the accuracy of assessment decisions for internal units. Pearson continues to build and identify relationships between outcomes at component or unit-level, and as we anticipate that learners are given the relevant support needed to achieve their best, regardless of assessment methodology, we will investigate grade profiles that fall out of line with our statistical prediction and analysis.

I disagree with a programme risk rating. Can I appeal it?

Yes. You can raise this with your Lead Standards Verifier and Pearson QA Contact and will have the opportunity to provide evidence to support your appeal. If following this, you still believe that a risk rating has been applied incorrectly then you can appeal in writing and submit to the BTEC Assessment team via the customer support portal

Stage 4 Sector Specific Standards Verification

Standards verification is an annual process that will take place each year that you have ‘live’ learner registrations. As in previous years, we will allocate subject sector expert Standards Verifiers to conduct sampling of learner work for BTEC Entry to Level 3 qualifications. Standards verification ensures that Assessors are making accurate assessment decisions in a fair and consistent manner. You will be allocated one Standards Verifier for all BTEC Entry to Level 3 programmes in a subject area where sampling is required. For example, if you are delivering a Tech Award, First and Level 3 National in a subject, and the risk rating has determined that all require sampling, one Standards Verifier will be allocated and will sample all qualifications. We aim to have a Standards Verifier allocated to programmes requiring sampling by 01 February 2020. The Role of the Standards Verifier

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Pearson Standards Verifiers will:

• sample and review assessment decisions for learner work and internal verification records to confirm that National Standards are being upheld for the units and learners sampled

• complete the first sample for allocated BTEC programmes by 30 May 2020. Please note that this requires the Standards Verifier to have received your sample by 15 May 2020 at the latest.

• where a second sample is required, the Standards Verifier will work with you to address any essential actions and will complete the second sample by 30 June 2020. Please note that this requires the Standards Verifier to have received your second sample by 15 June 2020 at the latest.

• provide advice, support and guidance in relation to applying the National Standard. The earlier in the window that sampling takes place, the sooner your teams can put this advice into effect.

• submit reports within 10 working days of the agreed sample date. The only exception to this is when the Standards Verifier is required to submit a sample to their Team Leader for quality assurance checks. Your Standards Verifier will let you know if this is the case and will confirm an expected date for you to receive an outcome.

Levels of Standards Verification Sampling Controls

There are three levels of sampling control which will be applied to standards verification. This is defined by the risk rating applied to each qualification group in the subject:

Enhanced Control

A Senior Standards Verifier will be allocated to conduct sampling via a visit. For the sample, you will be required to make available all units and learner work assessed by the date of the visit and the Standards Verifier will make their sample selection on the day and will not notify you of this ahead of the visit. You will need to supply them with your Assessment Plan/s and tracking documentation showing the grades learners have achieved prior to the visit. The Standards Verifier will need to see a range of units therefore, if assessment is end loaded, sampling may take place after 30 May deadline. Where a second sample is required, this will take place remotely.

Medium Control

Sampling will be conducted remotely by a Standards Verifier who will inform you of the units and learners to be sampled prior to the sample taking place. You are able to choose to submit your sample either electronically or as a hard copy in the post and we have informed Standards Verifiers of this.

The only exceptions to this are Dental Technology and Childcare qualifications with a Licence to Practice and Art & Design qualifications where medium control samples will always be conducted via a visit rather than remotely.

Low Control

For qualifications which have been identified by the risk rating as low risk, standards verification will not take place for that year. Pearson will monitor learner outcomes once



grades have been claimed and if the grade profile for the cohort shows evidence of increased Distinction claims, an enhanced control sample will take place in July. Certification will not be released until the sample takes place. This is to safeguard against inaccurate grades being claimed and ensure all learners studying BTEC qualifications receive the right results.

Programmes cannot be subject to low control in two consecutive years. For those assigned low control in 2019/20, sampling will take place in 2020/21 and will be eligible to be considered for low control again in 2021/22 depending on the other risk rating criteria applied. Frequently Asked Questions

My Year 10 cohort was sampled in 2018/19. Does this mean they won’t be sampled as a Year 11 cohort in 2019/20? No. Standards Verification is an annual activity and is not defined by cohort. The Standards Verifier will select their sample based on previous sampling history and the grades achieved by learners. Units are delivered at the same point each year. Does this mean that the same unit/s as last year will be sampled? No. Standards Verifiers can select their sample from any units including those which are assessed after the 30 May deadline if appropriate to do so. This is to ensure confidence in the accuracy of learner outcomes across Assessors and units and that a range of units are sampled during the lifetime of the qualification. Can Standards Verifiers select units from Year 1 of the programme? Yes. Providing learners haven’t certificated, Year 1 units can be called for standards verification in the following year. Do all learners submitted for sampling need to be internally verified? No. Standards Verifiers are required to see evidence of internal verification but will also select learners who haven’t been subject to this activity. Can my Standards Verifier access assessment documentation via myBTEC? Yes. If you choose to submit your records in this way, please inform your Standards Verifier. They are provided with training on how to access the platform and cannot request downloaded copies if you have opted to share via myBTEC. Can I submit an electronic sample? Yes. Please inform your Standards Verifier if you wish to submit your sample electronically. You will need to make sure that any access rights are granted and that the sample is organised with clearly labelled files and folders, so your Standards Verifier can navigate the sample easily. We have informed our Standards Verifiers that they must accept an electronic



sample where you have chosen to submit one and that they cannot request a hard copy of the materials. How can I access standards verification reports? For Pearson BTEC qualifications, subject standards verification reports continue to be available online from your Edexcel Online account via the External Verification tab on the left hand menu. The report will become available to you once it has been submitted by your Standards Verifier who will also send an email notification that it is ready to view. I wish to appeal against the decisions made by my Standards Verifier. How do I do this? If you believe that a Standards Verifier has acted incorrectly or has reached an incorrect decision, then you can appeal in writing and submit to the BTEC Assessment team via the customer support portal. Our Enquiries and Appeals Policy is also available from our Pearson

Policies page.


https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/understanding-our-qualifications/policies-for-centres-learners-and-employees.html/student

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/understanding-our-qualifications/policies-for-centres-learners-and-employees.html/student



4. Appendices

Appendix A BTEC Annual Centre Declaration This document should be completed by the Head of Centre and Quality Nominee to confirm that your centre’s quality management processes and procedures are in place as required.

Centre Details

Centre Name Centre Number

Head of Centre Name Email Address Free text box

Free text box

I have checked that my contact details are correct on Edexcel Online* Free text box

Quality Nominee Name Email Address Free text box

Free text box

I have checked my details are correct on Edexcel Online* Free text box

Section 1 Statements of Compliance

This first section should be used to confirm quality measures are in place at your centre for all BTEC programmes and, where applicable, all Level 4-7 provision.

QD1: Centre Infrastructure, Recognition and approval

Adequacy of Declarations Centre must have in place administrative systems, policies and procedures to ensure that there is effective management for the delivery and assessment of BTEC qualifications.

Quality Declarations Yes No n/a

1.1 Ensure approval is authorised by Pearson prior to the commencement of any qualification

1.2 There is an effective procedure in place to report changes to Pearson about the centre, personnel or programme delivery, which affects the way Pearson’s recognition and approval criteria are continuing to be met



1.3 An appropriate policy is in place which details arrangements for consortium agreements with other providers or organisations. These arrangements are appropriately recorded on Pearson systems and have been approved prior to delivery of the qualification taking place

1.4 An appropriate policy is in place which details any arrangements for collaborative/exceptional arrangements with other providers or organisations, including for L4-7 qualifications if applicable. Where programmes are not delivered at the approved centre, the sites of delivery have been approved and are appropriately recorded on Pearson systems

1.5 An appropriate policy and procedures are in place which details arrangements for distance learning provision, including for L4-7 qualifications if applicable. Where applicable the arrangements for distance learning are approved and clearly recorded on Pearson systems

1.6 Where BTEC provision is delivered outside of the UK, exceptional collaborative arrangements and/or sites of delivery have been approved by Pearson and are appropriately recorded on Pearson systems

1.7 Have in place policies that are reviewed and evaluated annually for managing:

• Equality and Diversity • Safeguarding • Health and Safety (including any arrangements for employer

Involvement) • Distance learning (if applicable) • Special consideration and reasonable adjustment • Recognition of prior learning • Malpractice, appeals and complaints • Assessment and Internal verification • Registration and Certification

1.8 Have in place procedures for managing timely and accurate registration of learners on all BTEC provision. These procedures will be inclusive of any external assessment and take into account any re-assessment regulations currently in force. These procedures must cover:

• a checking process to verify the accuracy of learner identity and registration

• procedure for reporting any inaccurate, late or potentially false registrations, via centre senior management, to Pearson.

1.9 Have in place procedures for managing timely and accurate certification claims, verified against assessment records, including provision of unit certification as appropriate. The procedure must cover:



• A checking process to verify the accuracy of certification claims including claims matching grades agreed by the Standards Verifier where sampling has taken place

• Procedures for reporting any inaccurate or potentially false claims, via centre senior management, to Pearson.

1.10 Have a learner appeal and complaints process that includes: • what constitutes assessment malpractice • the processes for instigating an appeal or investigating malpractice • possible outcomes that may be reached • consequences of internal and external outcomes • a process for a learner to appeal to Pearson relating to internal and

external assessment outcomes. • a robust system for recording and managing all assessment appeals,

complaints (where applicable) and malpractice including plagiarism and the escalation of serious occurrences to Pearson

1.11 Check, maintain and store accurate centre records securely and safely relating to registered learners at every stage of the learner process for Pearson scrutiny for a minimum of 3 years following certification. This must include:

• recruitment records (in line with Pearson requirements) • accurate attendance records • assessment plans • assessment records (internal, including for resubmissions and retakes) • internal verification records (including for resubmissions and retakes) • assessment tracking

1.12 Have all current learner evidence available for Pearson standards verification processes.

1.13 Have a mechanism in place for the retention of learner work. This must be retained for a minimum of twelve weeks after certificates are received at the centre.

1.14 The centre has made late registrations/certification appeals in the last 2 years

1.15 The centre has made certificate amendment appeals in the last 2 years.

QD2: Supporting Centre Operations & Programme Teams

Adequacy of Declarations The centre must ensure they have appropriate personnel in place for the effective implementation and monitoring of quality assurance processes for all BTEC



programmes, whilst ensuring that learners and other stakeholders are kept updated throughout the academic year


2.1 A senior manager has been appointed to the role of Quality Nominee, who acts as a main contact point with Pearson and has responsibility for:

• overarching organisational quality assurance • liaising about regulatory requirements • updating centre contact details • giving delegated authority to programme teams to plan and manage

the quality of programme delivery and assessment across all approved sites

2.2 Appropriately qualified and vocationally competent staff are in place, who:

• have sufficient time to effectively fulfil all aspects of the role • are provided with adequate induction that is appropriate to the level

of BTEC provision being delivered • have sufficient access to monitored annual continuous professional

development.

2.3 Provide effective internal and external communications to ensure that learners and other stakeholders are correctly informed about all relevant aspects of BTEC programmes

2.4 Set aside structured time for programme teams to have formal minuted meetings to discuss delivery, assessment, verification, and other activities and strategies, in order that staff:

• have sufficient to time effectively fulfil all aspects of the roles • are provided with adequate induction that is appropriate to the level

of BTEC provision being delivered • have sufficient access to monitored annual continuous professional

development • are provided with regular updates with reference to BTEC

qualifications and specifically those relating to qualification delivery, assessment and internal verification requirements.

2.5 Have cover for long term absence and succession plans in place for all designated roles for BTEC programmes specifically, Quality Nominee, Lead Internal Verifiers and Assessor

QD3: Enabling Learner Recruitment, Enrolment & Induction



Adequacy of Declarations The centre must demonstrate that learners are enrolled with integrity onto appropriate programmes


3.1 Have in place an appropriate entry and selection criteria for all BTEC programmes which ensures learners are enrolled with integrity onto appropriate programmes that will:

• meet their needs • enable and facilitate learning and achievement • enable progression

3.2 Appropriately publish programme information that is accurate and provides learners with a basis for making an informed choice about enrolment decisions.

3.3 Enable appropriate structured discussion with the applicant, with appropriate guidance and advice, to enable informed learner choice.

3.4 Provide opportunities to inform and engage applicants’ parents/advocates where appropriate in the application and enrolment processes

3.5 Assess the applicant’s learning needs, progression aspirations, and any additional on-programme support requirements.

3.6 Provide an appropriate learner induction that: • explains the demands, structure, content, and assessment

requirements of their programme • Explains the nature of plagiarism and assessment malpractice, and

provides them with the study skills to research and prepare assignments.

• informs learners of the learner appeals, complaints and malpractice procedures

• clarifies the formal requirements and deadlines of both internal and external assessment where applicable

• explains learner facilities • identifies learners’ development needs • develops an individual learning plan.

3.7 For Level 4-7 only Attendance registers are maintained and are accurate for every learner, whilst they are registered learners at the centre.



QD4: Annual review and continuous improvement

Adequacy of Declarations

The centre must ensure that effective continuous improvement systems are in place and operational for the cyclical review, evaluation and improvement of programme delivery and assessment that involves:

• delivery and assessment staff • senior management • learners


4.1 Demonstrate continuous compliance with Pearson centre recognition and qualification approval criteria and quality requirements through a cycle of programme review and evaluation:

• to assure the quality of the learning experience • to assure the quality of both internal and external assessments for all

programmes

4.2 Evidence that the annual review and evaluation process: • consults with learners, staff and other stakeholders • reviews outcomes of internal and external assessments (where

applicable) for each BTEC programme • takes consideration of the outcomes of Pearson monitoring reports

e.g. Lead Standard Verification, Standards Verification, External Examination

4.3 Demonstrate that the outcomes of the review process: • inform change • drive continuous improvement • ensure that all learning and assessment provision remains effective

and fit for purpose • impact positively on the learner experience.



Section 2: Centre Recognition & Qualification Approvals Re-Declaration

In this section your Head of Centre is required to confirm your centre's agreement to our updated Terms & Conditions of Centre Approval, following those that were originally entered upon approval of your centre by Pearson.

The updated version of our Terms & Conditions of Approval, which can be accessed here, reflects the modified processes and procedures implemented to ensure enhanced quality assurance and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Use the Qualification Approvals Re-Declaration box to confirm and update Pearson with changes to your Qualification Approvals. You may have added to the range of BTEC programmes you are using or have ceased to use some BTEC programmes at different levels or in their entirety.

Centre Recognition Re-Declaration Name Printed Click or tap here to enter text.

Changes to Centre Recognition:

Click or tap here to enter text.

Qualification Approvals Re-Declaration

Signature Click or tap here to enter text. Date: Click or tap to enter a date.

Name Printed Click or tap here to enter text.

Changes to Qualification Approvals:

Click or tap here to enter text.

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/Support/policies-for-centres-learners-and-employees/Pearson-Terms-and-Conditions-Declaration.pdf



Section 3: Quality Nominee Declaration

In this section your Quality Nominee is required to confirm they understand their role and responsibilities in relation to BTEC qualifications being delivered at your centre. Quality Nominee Declaration I confirm that as the Quality Nominee, I fully understand my role and responsibilities in relation to all BTEC qualifications being delivered at this centre.



Section 4: Head of Centre Declaration

In this section your Head of Centre is required to confirm they understand their role and responsibilities in relation to BTEC qualifications being delivered at your centre.

Head of Centre Declaration I confirm that as the Head of Centre, I fully understand my role and responsibilities in relation to all BTEC qualifications being delivered at this centre.





Appendix B BTEC Lead Standards Verifier Visit Plan

Centre Number Centre Name Lead Standards Verifier Name Lead Standards Verifier Contact Details Telephone Number Email Address Visit date and time Location of visit

Draft agenda for the day

Time Activity Welcome and introduction Discussion with Quality Nominee Lead Internal Verifiers to attend 1:1 discussion with Lead SV 1 2 3 4 5

Working lunch to meet with any staff members who may have questions regarding BTEC internal assessment delivery

Lead Internal Verifiers to attend 1:1 discussion with Lead SV 6 7 8 9 10 Feedback and next steps Close



In preparation for the Lead Standards Verifier visit, please arrange for the following information to be available on the day. There is no need to provide a hard copy if the material is available electronically:

Quality Nominee and Exams Officer if available

Centre policies and procedures may be requested.

Please ask Lead Internal Verifiers to familiarise themselves with criteria 2.1 - 2.20 and be able to discuss and show evidence for each criterion.

A programme file will usually contain typical evidence which will include: Evidence of Lead IV accreditation/registration Evidence that initial standardisation has taken place with the subject team and is planned throughout the year as appropriate Assessment Plans for all programmes A selection of Assignment Briefs covering all programmes Internal Verification covering a range of Assignments, programmes, Assessors, units and assessment decisions A selection of Assessment Records covering all programmes and a range of units, Assessors and Assessment Decisions Evidence of Assessment Tracking Evidence of Resubmissions/Retakes and the associated assessment records Evidence of any action plans for continual improvement following standards verification Evidence of Employer Involvement planning and monitoring where applicable Access to Edexcel Online to view certification claims



Appendix C Lead Standards Verifier Reporting Criteria LSV reporting criteria 2.1 Lead Internal Verifier has been appropriately registered

2.2 Lead Internal Verifier has been appropriately registered for any multi-sites, consortia and/or collaborative arrangements

2.3

Lead Internal Verifier understands their responsibilities regarding internal standardisation of assignments and assessed learner work

2.4 Lead Internal Verifier assures assessment standards amongst all assessors and internal verifiers

2.5 Lead Internal Verifier provides the required internal standardisation training for teaching staff

2.6

For Assignments, programme team:

Use the Pearson Authorised Assignment Briefs

Adapt the Pearson Authorised Assignment Briefs

Create their own Assignment Briefs

2.7

Programme team use Sample Marked Learner Work to support with the application of standards RQF L3 Nationals

L1/2 Firsts

L1/2 Tech Awards

L2/L3 Technicals

2.8 Assessment planning is in place for all programmes delivered

2.9 Assessment Planning ensures that a range of units are available for standards verification sampling

2.10

An internal verification process is in place to inform and record that all assignments and assessment outcomes are compliant with awarding organisation and regulatory requirements, by ensuring:

• all assignment briefs are internally verified annually

• sufficient samples of learner work covering all Assessors and all assessed units are internally verified annually

• a record of internal verification outcomes is maintained



• a process is in place to deal with inaccuracies and weaknesses in assessment identified by internal verification, or by Pearson quality processes

2.11

Learners are provided with appropriate Teaching and Learning opportunities before formal assessment takes place

2.12

Learners are provided with appropriate feedback at all stages of the assessment process

2.13

Learners have the opportunity for resubmission and/or retakes where appropriate

2.14 Evidence of resubmission meets Pearson requirements

Programme Title

Unit Name and Number

Learner Number

Learner Name

First submission Grade Resubmitted Grade

2.15

Assessment tracking records are maintained, accurate and up to date in order to support the accurate sign off of learner achievement and certification claims

2.16 Certification claims on each programme are confirmed by an appropriate member of staff e.g., Lead Internal Verifier, Programme Manager

2.17 Sample of assessment records match the grades claimed by the centre on Edexcel Online

Programme Title

Unit Number and Name

Learner Number

Learner Name

Centre Record Unit Grade

Claimed Unit Grade

2.18

The Standards Verification process is facilitated by providing: • timely samples of learner work • additional information where requested • additional sampling material where required

2.19

For RQF L3 National Tech Levels and L2/L3 Technicals only (not applicable to Tech Awards) Appropriate arrangements and opportunities are in place for employer involvement

2.20

Learners have access to the equipment, resources and IT needed for their programmes



Appendix D Vocational Quality Advisor Contact Details

(Please see below on page 35)

Tel: 0344 463 2535 (Schools, Colleges and Further Education)

Tel: 0344 576 0045 (Training providers and Employers)

Calls cost 3p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

Email: customer support portal

Please note: Not all centres conform to the Cambridge Number system. If in doubt, please consult the map and contact the Vocational Quality Advisor who covers your county/London Borough.


btec centre guide to quality assurance - edexcel · 2020-02-21 · version 1.0 september 2019 dcl1...

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