Consultation on the assessment and awarding of Vocational, Technical and other General Qualifications in 2020 to 2021

Our proposed approach for 2020/21 will apply to Vocational and Technical Qualifications (VTQs), including Technical Qualifications within T Levels, and general qualifications other than GCSEs, AS and A levels.

It builds on the approach set out in our position paper and seeks to balance:

• mitigating disruption to teaching, learning and assessments so that, as far as possible, learners, taking VTQs and other general qualifications, have the opportunity to receive a fair result and are not disadvantaged by the longer term impacts of the pandemic. Also, that learners taking qualifications most similar to A levels or GCSEs are not advantaged or disadvantaged compared to their peers taking those qualifications and competing for the same progression places
• ensuring that assessments lead to the award of qualifications that are a valid and reliable indication of knowledge, understanding and skills, or practical competence, and that, as far as possible, standards are maintained
• developing, as far as possible, consistent approaches across similar qualifications, whilst recognising the diversity of the VTQ landscape

This consultation is open to anyone who may wish to make representations but may be of particular interest to:

• the awarding organisations we regulate, and their representative bodies
• learners who are expecting to be awarded a vocational or technical qualification, or other general qualification, in 2021
• the family, parents or carers of these learners
• teachers, tutors, exam staff and other representatives from schools, colleges, training providers and other places where the relevant qualifications are delivered
• higher education institutions, further education colleges and training providers that may be making offers to learners for future academic years
• education representative bodies
• employers who might be receiving job applications from learners taking these qualifications, or who might already employ these learners
• professional bodies, regulators and industry groups