Following earlier announcements on how vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) will be awarded this summer, Ofqual has now published a consultation seeking views on these important and unprecedented arrangements.

Key areas covered in the consultation for this year’s exceptional awarding arrangements include Ofqual’s proposals on:

• Which qualifications and students the arrangements will apply to
• The approach for different categories of qualifications
• Calculating results
• Appeals
• Private students
• Functional Skills qualifications
• The autumn 2020 assessment opportunity
• Equalities impacts.

The consultation places VTQs into three categories:

• Qualifications used for progression to further or higher education
• Qualifications signalling occupational competence
• Qualifications serving a mixed purpose.

For qualifications that support progression to FE or HE (such as Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals), the consultation proposes a ‘framework’ based on five key principles. The aim is for as many students as possible to get calculated results this summer and the consultation sets out a proposal for the ‘most trusted’ evidence that will be required for that.

Where calculated results won’t be possible for VTQs, the consultation proposes adapting or delaying assessments, with delay or re-scheduling as a last resort.

In order to reach these proposals, Ofqual has consulted with groups representing education and training providers, employers and professional bodies, awarding organisations, groups that represent students, and assessment experts on technical issues.

The deadline for responses to Ofqual’s consultation is 8 May 2020.