Controlled Assessment Policy (JCQ Requirement for GCSE Legacy Specifications)

Transcription

1 Controlled Assessment Policy (JCQ Requirement for GCSE Legacy Specifications) Date approved: 17 August 2016 Approved by: Executive Board Review date: Annual August 2017 Responsible Managers: Compliance Officer Group Executive Lead: Group Director Quality & Standards Accessible to Students/Customers: No 1. Consultation Consultation undertaken with:- Newcastle College YES Newcastle Sixth Form College YES West Lancashire College YES Intraining YES Rathbone YES Kidderminster College YES Group Services N/A 2. Applicability of Policy to Organisation This policy applies to:- Newcastle College YES Newcastle Sixth Form College YES West Lancashire College YES Intraining YES Rathbone YES Kidderminster College YES Group Services N/A 1

2 3. Scope and Purpose of Policy Controlled assessments were introduced in September 2009 for GCSE qualifications (legacy specifications). Subsequently the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) produced guidance on conducting controlled assessments Instructions for conducting controlled assessments (GCSE Qualifications). During a JCQ inspection NCG Divisions will be required to provide a copy of this policy as well as: A copy of the Divisional Staff responsibilities A copy of the Divisional risk management process in relation to Controlled Assessments. Controlled assessments measure subject specific skills that may not necessarily be tested by external assessment. Depending on the level of control defined within the specification, controlled assessments may take place for example: In a normal timetabled lesson or other defined session under supervised conditions: Entirely within the centre under supervision with controlled access to resources, or Outside the centre and involve research with limited supervision. This policy relates to the conduct of any controlled assessments currently undertaken by students for all GCSE legacy qualifications. In drafting this policy, information has been taken from JCQ publication Instructions for conducting controlled assessments (legacy GCSE qualifications). 4. Policy Statement The aims of this policy are indicated below: To ensure that all JCQ awarding body guidelines are clearly understood and followed in the completion of controlled assessment. To ensure that all learners have the opportunity to undertake controlled assessments in an appropriate study environment, giving due regard to learners access arrangements. 2

3 To ensure that departments are given sufficient support to manage the controlled assessment process. To identify staff responsibilities within the Divisions in relation to controlled assessments. To ensure that Divisional Managers (and NCG) have appropriate processes in place to manage and monitor potential risks that might apply to their centre with regards to controlled assessments. All staff whose responsibilities include managing and assessing controlled assessments should have a working knowledge of the Joint Council for Qualifications guidance document: Instructions for conducting controlled assessments (legacy GCSE qualifications). The guidance will be reinforced by management, teaching, examinations and Learning Support staff (where appropriate). All learners must be enrolled onto the correct course and registered with the awarding body before controlled assessments can take place. All learners will have guidance prior to and at the beginning of the controlled assessments as to the level of supervision that will occur and the expectation of the behaviour of the learners during the assessment. Controlled assessments can be Formal (high level of control), Informal (medium level of control) or Limited (limited level of control) and there are different requirements in the management of these types of assessments. A different level of control may apply at each of these three stages: Task setting Task taking Task marking Formal (high level of control) The Awarding body is responsible for task setting at this level Candidate must be under supervision at all times Display materials which might provide assistance are removed or covered There is no access to , the internet or mobile phones Candidates must complete all work independently Candidates must not communicate with each other Candidates will be given no assistance 3

4 Informal (medium level of control) Centres may opt to select from a number of comparable tasks provided by the Awarding body or design their own tasks using criteria set in the specification Group work is permitted Candidates not under direct supervision at all times, however the Division must ensure: o Plagiarism does not take place o Sources used by a candidate are clearly recorded o All candidates participate in the assessment o Each candidate s preparation for the final production of work is his or her own Limited (limited level of control) Centres design their own tasks using criteria set out in the specification Work may be completed without direct supervision Research or data collection may take place outside the classroom Requirements are clearly specified by each awarding body for example a specification may require lecturers to advise candidates on: o Focus of the investigation o Source of information o Relevance of materials / concepts o Document structure o Techniques of data collection / presentation o Skills of analysis and evaluation o Health and Safety o Security of their work Under the terms of the awarding body regulations, breaches in conduct may result in the candidates being disqualified from the assessment for which they have been entered and a formal investigation will be undertaken into the malpractice that has been reported. This may result in disciplinary action. Allegations of malpractice on the part of staff or students should be reported to the relevant awarding body as per the guidance given by the Joint Council for Qualifications and the awarding body s own procedures. This may also result in disciplinary action. For staff responsibilities within the Division please refer to your Division s GCSE controlled assessments - staff responsibilities document that can be found on Divisional intranet pages. 4

5 For risk management associated with controlled assessments please refer to your Division s Controlled Assessment Risk Management document that can be found on Divisional intranet pages. Learners should be informed of the marks which have been allocated. It should be made clear, however, that the marks are subject to change through the moderation process. Learners should be advised of their marks within a sufficient window to allow time for any internal appeal to be concluded prior to the submission of marks to the awarding body. 5. Linked Policies Internal Verification and Moderation Policy Academic Malpractice Policy Student Disciplinary Policy (Divisional) Staff Disciplinary Policy and Code of Conduct (Divisional) 6. Linked Procedures Student Disciplinary Procedure 7. Equal Opportunities Statement An Equality Impact Assessment will be completed by each Division. This policy may be subject to review following Equality Impact Assessment by the Divisions. 8. Location and Access to the Policy The Controlled Assessment Policy is located as follows:- NCG Intranet: Group Services: Group Policies and Procedures NCG Website: Media Centre: Guide to Information: Our policies & procedures 9. Person Responsible for the Policy Group Compliance Officer 5