Last week we provided you with information following the publication of Ofqual’s regulatory framework, VTQ Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF), providing our preliminary guidance on the approach to categorising and awarding qualifications in 2021.

We understand that it has been a disruptive period for centres and learners for some time and we have been working intensively over recent days with the regulators and other awarding organisations to agree our approach to awarding. 

We are communicating the detailed guidance as quickly as possible before the Easter break to give you as much time as possible to get plans in place. 

Ofqual has today published its decisions following the technical consultation to introduce a new regulatory framework called the VTQ Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF). This permits awarding organisations to award results when exams do not take place and/or because learners cannot complete all internal assessments. These provisions will apply to those qualifications identified by the Department for Education in their Direction issued to Ofqual.  

While the consultation has been underway, we have been working with Ofqual and other Awarding Organisations (AOs) to ensure that the categories we assign to our qualifications consider the purpose of the qualification, and where we offer similar qualifications to other AOs, we are aligned in our approach where possible. To support Centres plan their delivery arrangements we have shared on our website the categories we have assigned to our qualifications.  

Categorisation of Qualifications – Teacher Assessed Grades

The categorisation of EAL’s qualifications to align with the Government policy and Ofqual’s regulations for those that will take similar awarding approaches to GCSEs, AS and A levels is outlined within EAL’s Qualification Checker.  Further updates will be made to this checker in the coming days and weeks.  Please refer to this guidance section on a regular basis.

The Qualification Checker indicates:

• which qualifications teacher assessed grades will play a part in awarding
• which qualifications teacher assessed grades won’t play a part in awarding

Download the Qualification Checker

Updated: 26 February 2021

Arrangements for the Award of VTQs and other General Qualifications in 2021

The impact of the pandemic means that, in line with the approach set out for GCSEs, AS and A levels, it is the policy position of the Department for Education (the Department) that external exams for many vocational, technical and other general qualifications should not take place as planned. Some learners may also not be able to complete other forms of assessment because of the disruption arising from the pandemic.

The Department’s consultation sought input on which qualifications should be subject to alternative arrangements, taking as a starting point those which received calculated results in 2020. It also set out proposals for how the arrangements should apply because they may need to be different, in some cases, to those put in place last year, to take account of the different circumstances.

In response to customer feedback, regulatory requirements and our commitment to continuous improvement, we have been reviewing our conflict of interest policy.

The application for Reasonable Adjustments/Special Considerations has been reviewed and updated and is now available for completion via our Smarter Touch system.

You can now indicate which of the requirements are needed to enable the learner to have the best possible support when undertaking EAL examinations, by ticking the relevant box.

All Scottish Providers are kindly requested that in any policy, literature and marketing material that makes reference to the Scottish Regulator, they must ensure it refers to SQA Accreditation as the regulator of Scottish Vocational Qualifications and not SQA. SQA is the Awarding Body of Scottish Qualifications Authority, whereas, SQA Accreditation is the Regulator. EAL's Scottish Vocational Qualifications are regulated by SQA Accreditation and not SQA.

At EAL, we are dedicated to providing the best possible customer experience for our centres, which is why we are delighted to inform you that we have improved our Online Services system following your feedback to allow you to take control of resetting your own password.

This enhancement will allow all EAL Centre Coordinators, or any sub-user that has an account, to change or reset a password without having to contact us.

As per our continued promise, we have listened to your feedback and are continuing to provide services you want in the best possible way. You told us as part of your recent survey feedback that you'd like access to electronic certificates.

We are therefore delighted to announce that from the beginning of July 2019 you will be able to access e-Certificates direct from your Online Services account. There is no application process to go through, and more importantly there is no additional cost to you.

We have introduced a three day resit rule on all examinations (except those relating to Functional Skills examinations), which replaces the previous 7 day rule.