LASER Functional Skills. Centre Toolkit

Transcription

1

2 Contents INTRODUCTION... 4 CENTRE ADMINISTRATION... 4 ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS... 4 Entry Level... 4 English Entry Levels... 4 Functional Skills: Levels 1 and Maths and ICT Functional Skills: Levels 1 and English Functional Skills: Levels 1 and Contextualising Assessments... 5 Candidates Needing Adjustments... 5 CONDUCTING LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS... 6 Suspected Malpractice... 6 Retention of Records... 6 QUALITY ASSURANCE... 7 Internal Quality Assurance... 7 Internal Verification Definition and Purpose... 7 Implementing Internal Verification... 7 Models of Internal Verification... 7 Internal Verification Cycle... 7 PLANNING AND MANAGING FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT... 8 Sampling Assessment... 8 AWARDING ACHIEVEMENT... 9 DIRECT CLAIMS STATUS... 9 Approved Assessment Verifier Status STANDARDISATION CENTRE RETENTION OF EVIDENCE AND RECORDS QUALITY MONITORING OF A CENTRE REGISTERING LEARNERS AND ORDERING ASSESSMENT PAPERS When to Register and Order Papers Fair Processing Notices/Privacy Notice Use of Registration Information Amending Course Runs Exemptions from English Components or Transfer of Credit from Another Awarding Organisation GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING THE LASER RESULTS FORM ISSUING QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES Re-issue of Certificates Fees and Charges QUALIFICATION REVIEW Appendix A - Functional Skills Qualifications Application Form Appendix B - Guidance for Approved Assessment Verifier and Nomination Form Approved Assessment Verifier Nomination Form Appendix C - Internal Verification Documentation Page 2 of 32

3 Internal Verification Planning Document Internal Verification Tracking Document Internal Verification Feedback to Assessor Form Appendix D - Examination and Invigilation Documentation Invigilator Checklist Notice For Candidates Venue Requirements and Invigilation Procedures Appendix E Assessment Planning and Tracking Forms Functional Skills Assessment Tracking Entry Level English Functional Skills Assessment Tracking Entry Level Mathematics and ICT Appendix F - Transfer of Credit in English from other Awarding Organisations Page 3 of 32

4 INTRODUCTION This toolkit contains information, resources and forms to support centres in the administration, assessment, quality assuring and certification of Functional Skills qualifications. It should be read alongside the individual Functional Skills Qualification Specifications which contain detailed information about specific subject requirements Hyperlink to Qual Specs. The Functional Skills Qualifications Approval Form (Appendix A) sets out the specification and regulations for delivery of the qualification(s) centres need to adhere to. The registration process needs to be completed before centres can register their learners and order assessment papers. CENTRE ADMINISTRATION Your centre needs to have in place the administration support to ensure: accurate and prompt administration of all Functional Skills courses, qualifications and learner registrations in accordance with LASER s published deadlines Hyperlink to published deadlines accurate record keeping of courses, qualifications and learner registrations prompt distribution of certificates to all learners appropriate documented security arrangements for storage of external assessments or assessment papers adherence to examination/external assessment venue criteria and invigilation requirements listed in the relevant Qualification Specifications Hyperlink to Qual Specs and in Appendix D ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS Entry Level Assessment evidence for all Functional Skills subjects at Entry Level is produced through completion of an externally set assessment which is internally marked and externally verified. Keep all Functional Skills internally marked assessments until the next external verification visit as samples from these will be used for standardisation purposes. Tutors/assessors complete a simple tracking sheet (Appendix E) to show which assessments were taken by each learner, and to record pass and fail data. The tracking sheets must be available at the time of the LASER Quality Reviewer visit. Please register learners with LASER via the secure web portal ( in accordance with the normal registration deadlines. Hyperlink to normal registration deadlines English Entry Levels There are three components to the English Entry Level qualifications: 1. Reading 2. Writing 3. Speaking, Listening and Communication Learners must be registered for all three of these. Normally learners complete the three components within the same theme, for example The Seaside. If a learner fails one of the components such as Writing, they only need to take the failed Page 4 of 32

5 component again but use a different assessment theme. Record the assessments taken on the Functional Skills Tracking Sheet form in Appendix E. Functional Skills: Levels 1 and 2 Centres are able to specify dates and times of externally set and marked assessments for Functional Skills at Levels 1 and 2. Learner registration and assessment bookings must take place at the same time using the secure LASER web portal ( and completed a minimum of one full working week before the planned assessment date. When making bookings please give the date and time for all assessments so that LASER or other regulatory bodies can do spot checks to ensure assessments are being run in accordance with LASER guidance. Submission for marking of external assessments is the first and third Thursday of each month. Results will be released to centres within ten working days of the cut off date for the marking submission deadline. Dates for the marking deadlines are on the LASER website ( Centres are charged on registration of learners and resits will be charged at the same rate for Level 1 and 2. Hyperlink to prices Maths and ICT Functional Skills: Levels 1 and 2 Assessment for these is an externally set and marked assessment. English Functional Skills: Levels 1 and 2 Assessment for Functional Skills English at Levels 1 and 2 comprises three components: two externally set and marked assessments - Reading and Writing, Speaking, Listening and Communication - externally set and internally assessed by centres. You do not need to notify LASER about the time and date of Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments and the marking guides explain how centres can contextualise it for learners. Contextualising Assessments Centres can contextualise the Entry level externally set assessments, using the guidance in the Qualification Specifications Hyperlink to Qual Specs and the mark schemes for the assessments. LASER does not need to approve the assessment before you use it. However, please send a copy of the revised assessment to the Quality Reviewer before external verification. Centre devised Levels1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments do not need LASER approval before assessment takes place. Do use the benchmark tasks as guidance for devising your own tasks as well as the assessment record sheet provided. Centres who want to design their own Entry level assessments must submit them with underpinning reasons to LASER for approval at least 15 working days before the scheduled date for using with learners. Candidates Needing Adjustments Specific guidance relating to access and inclusion for Functional Skills qualifications is set out in the Qualification Specifications for each skill Hyperlink to Qual Specs. They explain specific arrangements available to candidates to meet the requirements of each Functional Skills qualification. If a learner needs special adjustments at Entry level, complete the Reasonable Adjustments form found on the LASER website ( Keep this form so it is available at the quality review meeting. Page 5 of 32

6 If a learner requires special adjustments at Level 1 or Level 2, complete the Special Consideration form ( and submit this to LASER as soon as possible so agreement can be given for the adjustment before the assessment takes place. CONDUCTING LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 ASSESSMENTS The centre must invigilate the externally set and marked assessments in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) General, Vocational and Diploma Qualifications Instructions for Conducting Examinations. Invigilation guidance may also be found in Appendix D and on the LASER website ( Download Levels 1 and 2 assessment papers from the LASER secure web portal ( They are available 2 working days before the assessment is due to take place so they can be prepared beforehand. All assessment papers are live for one academic year so Level 1 and 2 papers must not be stored or distributed electronically or photocopied and used by the centre as practice papers. Please return all used papers to LASER either by recorded delivery or as scanned documents uploaded onto the secure Laser web portal within 24 hours of the completion of the assessment. LASER will check the papers on receipt. If any are missing, centres will be asked to return these papers. Suspected Malpractice Malpractice is any action which threatens the integrity of the assessment and certification of the LASER qualification. For example, non-compliance with LASER guidance, maladministration or professional misconduct involving candidates, centre staff or any other party. LASER reserves the right to withhold the issuing of results of assessment while investigations are ongoing. Depending on the outcome of the investigation results may be released or permanently withheld. Please take particular note of the invigilation guidance for the Functional Skills ICT Levels 1 and 2 assessments which contain specific instructions about the use of internet and Hyperlink to this guidance. Any learner who fails to follow the instructions must be reported to LASER and an investigation must take place internally within the centre and sent to LASER. This could mean the learner or the cohort is disqualified from that assessment. Retention of Records All Functional Skills internally marked assessments including Level 1 and 2 Speaking and Listening assessment records must be made available at the next external verification visit. Page 6 of 32

7 QUALITY ASSURANCE Internal Quality Assurance By signing the LASER Centre Recognition Agreement and form, and the Qualification Application form you confirm your commitment to internal quality assurance. A centre delivering LASER Functional Skills must have appropriate and effective quality systems in place to underpin that delivery. Compliance is monitored regularly by the LASER Quality Reviewer, who reports on the progress of any agreed actions for quality improvement. Internal Verification Definition and Purpose An effective internal verification system ensures assessment practices and decisions are regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure the validity of the award of qualifications. A centre needs to regularly sample and evaluate its assessment practices and decisions and acts on the findings, to ensure consistency and fairness. This involves two processes verification and standardisation which are carried out by one or more internal verifier. Implementing Internal Verification The role of the internal verifier / Functional Skills Approved Assessment Verifier is to ensure that: assessment is appropriate, consistent, fair and transparent and does not intentionally discriminate against learners tutors/assessors receive ongoing advice and support, for example in designing formative assessment activities learners understand assessment requirements and are given opportunities to achieve learners work is presented so verification can take place Functional Skills mark schemes are applied correctly and used to record learner achievement recommendations for the achievement of the assessment are valid, reliable and consistent Models of Internal Verification There are a number of models of internal verification centres can operate, depending on their particular situation. Key points in all the models are: all tutors/assessors must be involved all Entry level Functional Skills and Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication provision must be included No individual can internally verify work they have assessed themselves Internal Verification Cycle The following activities must take place during the course of an internal verification cycle. The length of this cycle will vary according to your centre s provision. a) Planning for internal verification A plan of the proposed internal verification activity must be developed before the cycle begins. This must indicate what will happen, when it will happen, who will be involved and how it will be recorded. b) Induction and updating for tutors/assessors All new tutors/assessors must be introduced to the Centre s LASER provision, processes and practice. It is essential they: have all the relevant assessment materials, mark schemes and other course documents understand the assessment requirements and procedures have information about, and access to, training opportunities and support materials, both within your centre and as provided by LASER. Page 7 of 32

8 All tutors/assessors must know who is managing the internal verification process and who will actually carry out the internal verification of the work they will be assessing. They need to know what is in the verification plan and about any issues relevant to their work that may have arisen from previous internal or external verification or from evaluation of the verification process. Quality systems must adhere to the Functional Skills controlled assessment regulations which are in the Qualification Application form (Appendix A). PLANNING AND MANAGING FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT It is essential that assessment is carried out in a structured way, both for the benefit of the learners and in order that effective internal verification can take place. The internal verifier will therefore need to work with tutors/assessors before a course begins. The internal verifier will need to ensure that assessment is being carried out as planned through regular internal verification meetings with tutors/assessors. These meetings should be specific to the internal verification process to allow it to receive the necessary focus even if all those involved work closely together and discuss assessment and verification informally in the course of their work. The internal verifier will also need to meet with learners during their course to ensure that they understand the assessment requirements, their experience of assessment is positive and they are receiving clear and constructive feedback during their preparations. The timing of a meeting with learners should be appropriate to the particular course and group. It should be far enough into the course for some meaningful formative assessment to have taken place, but early enough for any issues to be addressed before the learners chances of achievement are compromised. Sampling Assessment It is the internal verifier s responsibility to monitor the quality of assessment through the sampling of assessment decisions. The internal verifier not the assessor should specify the sample of assessed work that they want to see, and it is important the sample is sufficient for the internal verifier to form a view on the consistency and validity of the assessment. The minimum sample size is 10% or five assessments, whichever is the greater. Internal verification must include observations of 10% of Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments at all levels and Mathematics Entry 1 as specified in the Qualification Specifications Hyperlink to Qual Spec % of marked assessments and mark schemes should also be internally moderated. The internal verifier needs to look for evidence in the sample of assessed work that shows: assessments are marked using the Functional Skills mark schemes and record sheets assessment decisions are fair and consistent, both across provision and over time assessors mark the learners work on the assessment papers and mark schemes clearly indicating the marks awarded clear and accurate assessment records are maintained A properly selected representative sample should identify any issues with assessment practices and decisions. To ensure a sample is representative, the internal verifier must take into account all variable factors that may impact on the quality of assessment. The verifier needs to define a sampling strategy based on these factors: delivery sites Page 8 of 32

9 tutors/assessors different assessment themes level delivery methods borderline cases reasonable adjustments issues arising from previous verification The internal verifier should check the selected sample in three ways: 1. All assessment for an individual learner - to ensure assessment is appropriate, consistent and complete. 2. Specific tasks across a number of learners - to ensure that assessment is consistent for all learners. 3. Level to establish that standards are maintained across assessment papers and mark schemes, assessors and sites, and over time, and continue to reflect the requirements of the assessment criteria. AWARDING ACHIEVEMENT Entry Level The outcome of the verification process is the award of achievement for Entry Level assessments. Role of Quality Reviewer and Recommendation for Award of Achievement An external verification visit by the quality reviewer or, possibly in particular cases, by a subject specialist, will need to be arranged where there is no Approved Assessment Verifier with direct claim status. The quality reviewer may need, amongst other things, to: Sample the assessment strategy and the assessment evidence provided by the learners. In the case of qualifications confirm all elements of the qualification assessment requirements have been met in order to verify the award. Check a robust internal moderation has taken place and ensure outcomes of this process are included in a quality improvement cycle. Support the development of the provision by making recommendations for improvement and highlighting good practice in the curriculum area. Ensure any recommendations for improvement or particular good practice identified are incorporated into the quality improvement plan. Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication All Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication assessment record sheets and learner evidence must be held in the centre for external verification. Centres have immediate direct claims status for Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication ONLY (see below for more information on this). DIRECT CLAIMS STATUS Entry Level Centres may have direct claims status for all Entry level provision after two clear external verification visits and when an Approved Assessment Verifier has been identified. All assessments must be retained until after the second external verification visit and then may be required to be sent to LASER for monitoring and standardisation purposes. Page 9 of 32

10 Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication Centres will normally have direct claims status for Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication ONLY as soon as they are approved to run the Functional Skills English qualification. This will be confirmed as part of the approval process. The LASER Results Form may be signed off by the Functional Skills main centre contact until one or more of the internal verifiers gains approved assessor verifier status to sign off LASER Results Forms. A minimum of 10% of Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments across all levels and assessors must be directly observed by an internal verifier alongside the Functional Skills English tutor to check the assessment processes and to confirm the assessment decisions. The written record of the observation must be completed at this stage. Once the assessment records are complete and the work has been internally verified, the Results Form is sent to LASER. The Speaking, Listening and Communication assessment records and internal verification observation records must be made available at the next external verification visit. A short report will be sent to LASER if there are any issues. If these issues (or other new problems) arise at the next external verification visit, the centre will not be able to claim any further Level 1 or Level 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments until after a successful external verification visit. Approved Assessment Verifier Status Centre guidance for completing the application for Approved Assessment Verifier Nomination form Appendix B is available on the functional skills section of the LASER website ( The Functional Skills Qualification Specifications also provide information on required level of qualifications and experience for assessors and Approved Assessment Verifiers Hyperlink to Qual Spec. Confirmation of the Approved Assessment Verifier status cannot be achieved until after at least one external verification visit. This is to allow the Quality Reviewer the opportunity to judge the standard of the assessment and internal verification decisions of the person nominated to become an Approved Assessment Verifier. Recommendations will be made in the external verification visit report to specify who may achieve the Approved Assessment Verifier status. Approved Assessment Verifiers will normally be approved for specific subject areas and levels. They will be able to sign off specific Results Forms for Entry level provision and the result form for Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication. Withdrawal of Direct Claims and Approved Assessment Verifier Status Where there is evidence that the required standards have not been met, LASER may decide to withdraw direct claims status and/or the approved status of an individual Approved Assessment Verifier. STANDARDISATION You will need to: plan and undertake standardisation of internally or externally set tasks and the outcomes of internal assessment contribute assessed material to LASER Functional Skills standardisation activity in accordance with published procedures. Page 10 of 32

11 Why? To: ensure consistency in the application of level across LASER Functional Skills Entry level and Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication provision promote consistency of practice in assessment and verification inform LASER quality improvement cycle share good practice identify exemplary benchmarks LASER recommends internal standardisation meetings include all tutors and approved assessment verifiers concerned and that action plans are produced and followed up. LASER Quality Reviewers will ask to see evidence of internal standardisation activity and of how the centre identifies and disseminates good practice. Evidence for Standardisation Centre standardisation events will consider evidence produced in the last year for Entry level and Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication - minimum three from every tutor assessor, representing the full range of provision. For LASER standardisation events Quality Reviewers are responsible for identifying and collecting evidence from Centres. Standardisation sample must include: mark schemes learner s work assessment records Internal Verifier records tutor feedback Internal Verifier observation reports LASER will hold yearly standardisation events for Entry level Functional Skills qualifications and also for Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication assessments. Samples of learner evidence of achievement must be made available for LASER standardisation as required. CENTRE RETENTION OF EVIDENCE AND RECORDS All Functional Skills internally marked assessments including Level 1 and 2 Speaking and Listening assessment records must be made available at the next external verification visit. Centres must keep complete and accurate records, for at least three years from the end of year to which they relate, for all qualifications and make these available to LASER on request. The records need to include: name of learner, date of birth and contact address. title and accreditation number of each qualification studied. name(s) of assessor(s). assessment records, including assessment decision and reason for decision. name(s) of internal verifier(s). Internal Verification reports. Page 11 of 32

12 QUALITY MONITORING OF A CENTRE LASER will allocate a Quality Reviewer to centres. They will have ongoing responsibility for monitoring Centre compliance with the requirements of Centre Recognised Status and Functional Skills specification and associated regulations. A report of the centre s progress against the quality improvement plan will be produced as required. Where a centre has a robust internal quality system the frequency of review visits will decrease. Where a Centre is giving cause for concern additional visits may be necessary and LASER may impose additional charges. In cases where a Centre is giving serious cause for concern sanctions may be imposed leading to the ultimate withdrawal of centre recognition. REGISTERING LEARNERS AND ORDERING ASSESSMENT PAPERS Register learners and order your Functional Skills assessment papers from LASER using the secure web portal ( following the Functional Skills Assessment registration process. Learner registration and assessment booking is completed at the same time. When to Register and Order Papers This must be completed at least one full working week before the assessment date to allow time for processing. The following information will be needed when registering learners and ordering papers: date and time of the assessment venue address where the assessment will take place type of assessment required such as Functional English Level 2 name, date of birth and Unique Learner Number (ULN) of all the learners details of learners that are resits The assessment papers will be made available and accessed from LASER s secure web portal for two working days before the date of the assessment. The paper will be removed the day after the assessment. Please note registration and order will be delayed if information is incomplete. Fair Processing Notices/Privacy Notice With the introduction of the unique learner number and the personalised learner record, you need the learner s permission for their achievement data to be uploaded to the personalised learner record. It is the responsibility of the centre to do these checks. You can do this by including the privacy notice in the registration process; see the general LASER Centre Handbook. Hyperlink to the LASER Centre Handbook Centres only need to inform LASER if learners do not give permission for their achievement data to be supplied to the personalised learner record when completing the learner registration and assessment order. Use of Registration Information LASER will enter learners onto its database from the completed Functional Skills Learner Registration. The information will be used to: generate an invoice which will be sent to your Finance Contact. For entry level assessments, or Speaking, Listening and Communication at Levels 1 and 2, a Results Form will be available for you to print off. Page 12 of 32

13 For ICT, Mathematics and English Reading and Writing at levels 1 and 2, an Assessment Registration and Results Form will be downloaded from the LASER web portal ( with the assessment papers. This will need to be completed after the externally set assessment, returned with the assessment papers and will be used by the markers to record results. Amending Course Runs Please register additional learners to an existing group via the web portal process. If you need to transfer a learner from one level to another please LASER at enquiries@laserawards.org.uk Exemptions from English Components or Transfer of Credit from Another Awarding Organisation Under exceptional circumstances, learners with specific disabilities may be exempt from one or two of the Functional English components. See further guidance within the Functional English Qualification Specifications Hyperlink to Qual Specs. If a learner has completed one or two English components with other awarding organisations, this achievement may be acknowledged by LASER too. Please complete the form Application for the Transfer of Functional Skills English Components, in Exceptional Circumstances, Between Awarding Organisations (Appendix F) and send it to LASER enquiries@laser-awrds.org.uk. No extra evidence is needed from either the centre or the learner. LASER will contact the other awarding organisation(s) to confirm the achievement and will record the results. Even when the learner has already achieved one or two of the components with another awarding organisation, the learner should still be entered for the component(s) as part of the standard registration procedure. GUIDANCE ON COMPLETING THE LASER RESULTS FORM The LASER Results Form contains details of either: Speaking, Listening and Communication assessment components at Level 1, Level 2, or Entry level assessments for the subject the learners were registered against. The Results Form should be signed by the assessor/tutor, internal verifier, and the Quality Reviewer, except in centres where the internal verifier is an approved assessment verifier when Results Forms will be accepted without a quality reviewer signature. Your administration contact will need to download the Results Form from LASER s website ( and is expected to: Give the forms to relevant tutors for filling in Receive completed forms from assessor/tutors, ensuring the approved assessment verifier or Quality Reviewer has confirmed achievement Check the form are completed Keeps copies of the forms Return the original forms to LASER as soon as possible following verification and within 12 weeks of the end date of the course Before the Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication English qualification results can be released the Results Form needs to be completed after internal verification and returned to LASER Page 13 of 32

14 Completing the LASER Results Form a) Pre-printed information Pre-printed qualification or unit information on the Results Form should not be amended. If there are errors please contact LASER Give address. Only a spelling mistake in a learner s name may be amended on the Results Form (see below). b) Learner name Please check all learners are listed on the Results Form and the names are spelt correctly. Any amendments to names should be corrected on the Results Form and initialled by the internal verifier/quality reviewer before submission for certification. c) Recommending achievement Tutors are responsible for ensuring that the Results Form is completed when a learner achieves the internally marked summative assessment. Just put a tick against each learner and the component they have achieved. d) Internal verifier/quality reviewer signature Your Approved Assessment Verifier can authorise the award of achievement. If your centre does not have an Approved Assessment Verifier then the award of achievement must be authorised by a Quality Reviewer. All signatures must be original to ensure the process of awarding achievement is reliable and robust. Photocopies or faxes cannot be accepted. The internal verifier/quality Reviewer must initial any changes/additions made to the LASER Results Form. For Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication, the approved assessment verifier signs the LASER Results Form when the assessment has taken place. Initially, before centre assessment verifiers are approved, this should be the main centre contact for Functional Skills. All the assessment records, notes for each of the learners and internal verifier observation records for a minimum of 10% of assessments must be retained for the next external verification visit. In addition to the 10% of assessments being observed, the centre should sample a further 10-25% of completed assessment records for moderation purposes. The Quality Reviewer will check the assessment records at the next external verification visit. If there are issues, LASER will be informed. If there are still issues at the next claim, the centre will have their direct claims status for Functional Skills withdrawn and the centre will have to wait for an external verification visit. They will then need to have two clear external verifier reports before they can regain direct claims status. ISSUING QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATES LASER will issue certificates for learners who have successfully completed the assessments for Functional Skills qualification(s) within 20 working days of receipt of completed LASER Results Form for Entry level assessments or the date the results of Levels 1 and 2 assessments are released to centres. This will show the qualification title(s) and level achieved by the learner. If a learner has achieved only one or two English components rather than the full Functional Skills English qualification, the centre will need to apply to LASER for the issue of a component certificate. Page 14 of 32

15 Re-issue of Certificates Please request for a certificate to be re-issued or replaced by using the appropriate form on LASER s web site. A fee will be charged for this service. Fees and Charges LASER s charges are published annually on its website. Invoices are issued when learner registrations are completed. QUALIFICATION REVIEW You are invited to contribute to the annual review process so LASER can make sure its qualifications remain fit for purpose and meet the requirements of the functional skills standards. Your feedback on any of the LASER qualifications is welcome. Please contact us at enquiries@laser-awards.org.uk Page 15 of 32

16 Appendix A - Functional Skills Qualifications Application Form LASER Centre Registration Number: Centre Name Centre Officer responsible for this Qualification: Position: Tel: Please tick the qualification title(s) and Levels you wish to offer LASER Functional Skills English Entry Level 1 LASER Functional Skills English Entry Level 2 LASER Functional Skills English Entry Level 3 LASER Functional Skills English Level 1 LASER Functional Skills English Level 2 LASER Functional Skills ICT Entry Level 1 LASER Functional Skills ICT Entry Level 2 LASER Functional Skills ICT Entry Level 3 LASER Functional Skills ICT Level 1 LASER Functional Skills ICT Level 2 LASER Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 1 LASER Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 2 LASER Functional Skills Maths Entry Level 3 LASER Functional Skills Maths Level 1 LASER Functional Skills Maths Level 2 We agree to ensure that the specification and associated regulations for delivery of the above qualification(s) will be adhered to. We confirm that: 1. All tutors and assessors will have access to and be familiar with the LASER Functional Skills Qualification Specification(s), administration toolkit and LASER resources. 2. The centre has the resources and systems required to deliver and manage the qualification(s) including staffing, internal verification and staff development. 3. Learners will be registered in a timely fashion with Unique Learner Numbers. 4. Internal assessment will be subject to robust internal verification and standardisation and assessors will be given feedback. 5. The LASER Quality Reviewer will be given full access to relevant records and staff as required. This includes the Application Record for Reasonable Adjustments for Entry level learners. Page 16 of 32

17 6. All tutors/assessors will ensure that learners: are aware of the requirements of the qualification and are provided with adequate assessment opportunities; are given feedback (Entry Levels and Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication); are treated fairly in line with LASER s equality and diversity policies and procedures. 7. Internal verification will: conform to any specific requirements for the qualification. sample assessed internal tasks for each assessor against the benchmarks and marking criteria for the benchmark. for Entry Level Qualifications and Levels 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication sample externally set, internally marked tasks across all tutors. check individual assessor s assessment records. provide clear records of all internally verified assessments for external verification as required. provide feedback to individual assessors. for Entry Level Qualifications and Level 1 and 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication initial all sampled externally set, internally marked work and any appropriate assessment records. For externally set and marked Levels 1 and 2 assessments, centres will ensure the following Functional Skills learner registrations and question paper orders are received by LASER no less than 10 working days before the date of the assessment. The security of all assessment papers will be maintained at all times. The assessment will be conducted in line with the JCQ General, Vocational and Diploma Qualifications Instructions for conducting examinations and LASER invigilation guidance. All used papers are returned to LASER within 24 hours of the assessment date by secure delivery methods. NO externally marked assessment papers are photocopied, distributed, used as practice papers or stored by the Centre either before or after the assessment takes place. All assessments are received by LASER by the cut off date for the marking window. The password for the secure LASER web portal is held securely at all times. 8. Where assessment tasks are developed by the centre for any Entry Level qualifications the benchmark assessments will be used as guidance. The new tasks will be submitted to LASER for standardisation 15 working days before the scheduled date of use with learners. 9. If the centre contextualises any Entry assessments or Level 1 or 2 Speaking, Listening and Communication assessment, it will be in line with the guidance in the mark schemes and a copy of the contextualised assessment(s) will be sent to the Quality Reviewer before the external verification visit. The centre will follow the guidance on the assessment mark scheme for Speaking, Listening and Communication assessment and the LASER assessment record sheet will be used. Please complete the box below and return to LASER. For Centre Use I have read and agree to the above conditions in order to deliver this qualification. Centre Officer responsible for this qualification: (Signature) Name: (Print) Position Date Page 17 of 32

18 Appendix B - Guidance for Approved Assessment Verifier and Nomination Form The term Approved Assessment Verifier is specific to an individual at a particular centre who is responsible for internally assessing components of Functional Skills at all Entry levels, and for Speaking, Listening and Communication at Levels 1 and 2 leading to the direct claim for Functional Skills qualifications. Approved Assessment Verifier status is not transferable and will lapse when the individual leaves the centre. Depending on the quality reviewer s sampling of on-going practice Approved Assessment Verifier status may be removed by LASER. To become an Approved Assessment Verifier (ALA), an internal verifier has to have completed a minimum of two years experience in Skills for Life or Key Skills or Functional Skills delivery and assessment, plus hold a relevant teaching qualification. In addition they must have recent continuous professional development in Functional Skills. The following guidance should be used to complete the nomination form. Centre Details Centre Name Centre no. Quality Assurance Contact This is the name of your organisation, as provided in your Centre Recognition Application. This is the centre number given to you by LASER when you received formal centre recognition. The quality assurance contact will be the person with responsibility for the internal centre quality assurance system at your centre. This should be the same quality assurance contact as detailed in your Centre Recognition Application. Personal Details Full Name Telephone E mail Role at Centre This is the name of the internal verifier who is being nominated for Approved Assessment Verifier status. This is the centre contact number of the internal verifier who is being nominated for Approved Assessment Verifier status. This is the centre address of the internal verifier who is being nominated for Approved Assessment Verifier status. This is the job title of the internal verifier who is being nominated for Approved Assessment Verifier status. Previous Experience The internal verifier needs to detail their experience relating to Functional Skills or Basic/Key Skills, to cover: courses internal / externally verified other awarding body courses internally / externally verified length of experience Page 18 of 32

19 Previous Qualifications Please list qualifications. If no internal verifier qualifications have been achieved, then the highest level of qualification at Level 3 or above should be stated. The Approved Assessment Verifier must hold or be working towards Qualified Teacher Status. It is a requirement that continuing professional development related to Functional Skills is undertaken each year. Confirmation and Signature The original signature of the internal verifier being nominated for Approved Assessment Verifier status. The signature will be used by Applicant LASER to verify the authorisation of the Recommendation of the Award of Credit. Date The date that the nomination form was signed by the Internal Verifier Quality Assurance The original signature of the centre quality assurance contact, this will contact be the same individual identified within section 1. The date that the nomination form was signed by the centre quality Date assurance contact. Page 19 of 32

20 Approved Assessment Verifier Nomination Form CENTRE DETAILS Centre name: Centre no: Quality Assurance Contact PERSONAL DETAILS Full Name Telephone Role at Centre PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Please provide details of all Functional Skills, Basic/ Key Skills experience you have and any Internal / External Verification or Moderation experience you have attained. QUALIFICATIONS Please provide details of any teaching qualifications you hold, i.e. PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS including dates achieved. Also include details of continuing professional development attended and any specialist Skills for Life qualifications. CONFIRMATION AND SIGNATURE I hereby declare that the information given in this application is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Applicant Quality Assurance Contact Date Date Office use only Route Agreed: Quality Reviewer: Date: Page 20 of 32

21 Appendix C - Internal Verification Documentation Internal Verification Planning Document Functional Skill Internal Verifier Name Course Start Date Level Course End Date IV Signature Learner Name Assessor Name Assessment Title/Component Title Sample Date or No Sample Comments Signed: (Internal Verifier) Date: This form may be used to plan the sampling of learners work from a number of classes taught by a number of different assessors. It should list all the learners and identify which will be sampled. Page 21 of 32

22 Internal Verification Tracking Document Functional Skill Assessor Course Start Date Level IV Course End Date Learner Name Sample Y/N Assessment Title/Component Title Agree / Do not agree Decision Comments Signed: (Internal Verifier) Date:. Signed: (Assessor) Date: This form may be used to record the sampling of learners work from one class or a number of classes taught by the same assessor. Page 22 of 32

23 Internal Verification Feedback to Assessor Form Functional Skill Sampled Component (if English) Title of Assessment Level Learners Name(s) Sampled General Feedback to assessor Good practice identified Action Plan Signed: (Internal Verifier) Date: Signed: (Assessor) Date: Page 23 of 32

24 Appendix D - Examination and Invigilation Documentation Invigilator Checklist This checklist summarises the essential actions for invigilating Functional Skills external assessments at Level 1 and 2. Arranging the assessment room Check that walls have been cleared of any material that may assist candidates Check that you have the following on display: Poster advising candidates that mobile phones should be switched off Examination notice for candidates Centre appeals procedure Emergency/evacuation procedures A clock that all candidates can see clearly A board showing the centre number; batch number; start and finish time of the assessment Ensure that desks/computers are correctly spaced Check that there is a sign clearly visible to others in the building that an examination is taking place Check that candidates have access to the required data files (ICT assessments only) Check that an giving instructions regarding access to data files has been sent to candidates (ICT only) Identifying candidates Check that all candidates have the required identity documents and that the relevant section of the Assessment Front Cover sheet has been completed to identify attendees at the assessment. Advise candidates who are unable to provide the required identity documents and photograph that they cannot sit the assessment unless their assessor can identify them. Before the examination starts Tell candidates that they are now subject to examination conditions Draw candidates attention to: Emergency/evacuation procedures Poster advising candidates that mobile phones should be switched off Examination notice for candidates Centre appeals procedure Tell candidates that they must place any unauthorised materials, including course notes at the front, or back of the room. Open the envelope (s) containing the assessment papers in the assessment room Tell the candidates: To enter their personal details on to the candidate information sheet (if this has not already been completed) To read the instructions on the front of the response sheet Remind candidates to use only blue or black ink Tell candidates when they can begin, how much time they have, and when they can leave the examination room During the examination Be vigilant throughout. Supervise the candidates at all times to prevent cheating and distractions. This includes walking around the examination room. Do not give any information to candidates about the content of any question or answer on the paper, or the requirements for answering particular questions Do not carry out any other task whilst in the assessment room Tell candidates to stop writing at the end of the assessment time Monitor use of Internet and in Part B of ICT assessments at no time should learners access these programmes. Any use of Internet and should be reported to LASER and the learner warned that this may lead to disqualification. At the end of the examination Ensure that candidates leaving before the finish time do so without causing distraction to others Collect all assessment papers and response sheets and print outs from computers where required, ensuring that these are kept in a secure place before being sent for processing. Page 24 of 32

25 Notice For Candidates This notice should be given to candidates BEFORE the assessment. It should be displayed in the assessment room at the time of the assessment. This notice has been written to help you. Read it carefully and follow the instructions. If there is anything that you do not understand, ask your tutor, or invigilator. Regulations: Make sure you understand the rules 1. Be on time for the assessment (s). If you are late, you will not be allowed to sit the assessment. 2. Do not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice during the assessment. 3. If you try to cheat, or break the rules in any way, your paper will be voided. Make sure you have all of the required identity documents and photograph and bring them with you to the 4. assessment room. Without them, you will not be able to sit the assessment unless your assessor can identify you. 5. Do not have any material on your desk that might give you an unfair advantage. This includes course material, leaflets and any notes that you may have made during your course. 6. Make sure your mobile phone is switched off. 7. Use a blue or black pen to write your answers. 8. Do not try to talk to, communicate with, or disturb other candidates once the assessment has started. 9. If you leave the assessment room unaccompanied by a member of centre staff before the assessment has finished, you will not be allowed to return. Instructions during the assessment 1. Listen to the invigilator and follow their instructions at all times 2. Tell the invigilator at once: If you think you have not been given the correct question paper If the question paper is incomplete or badly printed For ICT assessments if you do not have your instructions on about accessing the data files 3. During Part B of ICT assessments, you must not access Internet or . If you are found to be using either Internet or you will be reported and you may be disqualified from the whole of the assessment Advice and assistance 1. If on the day of the assessment you feel that your work may be affected by ill health, or any other reason, let your invigilator know 2. Raise your hand during the assessment if: You have a problem and are in doubt about what you should do You do not feel well You need a replacement pen 3. You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions and answers At the end of the assessment 1. Do not leave the assessment room until told to do so by the invigilator 2. If given permission to leave the assessment room before the published finish time, do so without disturbing other candidates. 3. Do not remove your assessment paper from the assessment room. Page 25 of 32