Exams offi cers
Supporting exam offi cers
Exams of_f_i ce staf_f play a critical role in delivering Diplomas. Theo Edge from the Qualif_i cations and Curriculum
Development Agency explains the background to the support available to them and how they can help
teachers to ensure successful Diploma delivery
TOTAL OF 10 Diploma subjects
A
are available now. It is a fl exible
qualifi cation that, compared with
the GCSEs and A levels they are
used to handling, provides exams offi cers with
new challenges. T_h e Diploma gives students
more choice and control over their learning,
with Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL)
giving them fl exibility to study a broader
D
Delivering programme than they may have otherwise
iplomas
been able to select.
T_h is fl exibility provides increased choice
which enables students to increase their life
options, regardless of the path they choose to
take. T_h is increased choice places additional
demands on exams offi ce staff , who have a
critical role to play.
To be able to help ensure that learners get
the results they deserve, exams offi ce staff need
to understand not only the administrative and
management responsibilities involved, but
also the components that form the Diploma manage the fl ow of key information within identifying what quality assurance roles
– Principal Learning, Generic Learning, the consortium. Feedback on the training has are required, and information on internal
Case study
and ASL. It is therefore vital for the QCDA been positive, with line of learning leads being standardisation and marking.
to provide support and guidance to exams impressed with how much information their Online templates have been developed
offi ce staff to ensure they have access to the exams offi ce teams have at their fi ngertips. for centres to cover a range of issues, from
information they need. Training days are complemented by a range developing policy to writing a job description
T_h is support and guidance is provided of templates and online tools which are useful for a Diploma exams offi cer. T_h ese have
through a variety of means, from training and not only for exams offi cers, but also teachers proved invaluable to busy exams offi ce teams.
printed guidance, to face-to-face advice when and students taking a Diploma. T_h e role of exams offi ce staff is vital to the
needed by our centre support team. Exams offi ce staff use an online system successful delivery of the Diploma, which is the
At the cornerstone of this support is the called the Diploma Aggregation Service most innovative new qualifi cation to be added
provision of two face-to-face training days, (DAS) to enter details about each student and to the country’s portfolio of qualifi cations.
which are supported by a range of online track their progress towards a Diploma. T_h e introduction of the Diploma will pose
resources. T_h e training days are valuable not T_h ey can off er teachers and managers read- challenges for exams offi ce staff , which will
only for providing a detailed overview of the only or other suitable access to the system, increase as student take-up increases and more
Diploma, but also because they guide exams enabling them to generate detailed reports of consortia are established across the country.
offi ce staff through each stage of what they each student’s progress. Drawing on experience and feedback from
need to do. A further online tool for validating students’ key stakeholders, we are committed to helping
At the same time, the training days provide programmes of study will be available from exams offi ce staff as they administer and
us with an insight into delivery within schools our website in October manage the Diploma in their centres. DD
and colleges – giving crucial feedback on As further support, the QCDA has
which we can develop future training and produced a publication entitled T_h e Controlled • T_h eo Edge is 14 to 19 programme manager at
guidance materials. Assessment in Diploma Principal Learning: A the QCDA.
During the training, delegates are given Consortium Guide.
a range of materials which include detailed T_h is provides information to centres on Further information
information about the structure of the activities related to planning controlled For more on the support available to exams
Diploma and good practice advice on how to assessments, developing associated policies, offi cer staff , visit
www.qcda.gov.uk/diplomaeo
36 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009
36-37 qca.indd 12 18/9/09 10:10:32
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