Regulating post-16 VTQs at L2 and L3

It is important students and centres have an opportunity to request a review or appeal of awarding organisation marking or moderation of assessments, if they think they are wrong. Ofqual requires awarding organisations to have appeal arrangements in place. For some qualifications we put in place more specific requirements for an initial review stage ahead of an appeal to be made available. This is particularly the case where students need access to timely reviews, for example if a progression opportunity is at stake. We have such rules in place for GCSEs, AS and A Levels and Technical Qualifications within T Levels.

We are considering whether similar arrangements should exist in Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates. Similar arrangements could include requiring awarding organisations to make copies of marked assessment materials available to schools and colleges, allowing reviews for administrative errors, having processes in place for requesting reviews of awarding organisation-marked or moderated assessments, having appeal arrangements in place, and setting expectations for the timing of these.

While we think there is potentially merit in putting in place such arrangements, we are interested in views as to whether arrangements that mirror those in GCSEs and A Levels would be appropriate. As reviews and appeals would not take place until results have been issued following the first assessments being taken, we are seeking views on the approach at this stage. We will consider any feedback and consult separately, if necessary, on any specific rules we propose to put in place.