Ofqual’s latest corporate plan, providing information on its planned programme of work for the next three years, highlights its major priorities within a changing educational landscape.

Categorised under six headings, the corporate plan sets out the regulator’s work for both general and technical/vocational qualifications, including:

General qualifications:

• Evaluating GQ reforms
• Using the National Reference Test in GCSE English and maths awarding
• Improving awarding via new ways of using expert judgement
• Improving the quality of marking including evaluating the use of artificial intelligence.

Technical/vocational education:

• Supporting the introduction of technical qualifications within T Levels
• Maintaining standards in post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below
• Supporting government reform of Functional Skills
• Consulting on regulatory requirements for higher level technical qualifications at Levels 4 and 5
• Evaluating end point assessments for Apprenticeships
• Strengthening how national technical and vocational qualifications are designed and assessed.

Ofqual will also:

• Investigate the barriers to the wider adoption of online and on-screen assessment in schools and colleges
• Continue its work to deter and address malpractice
• Publish research into the effectiveness of moderation and consider whether changes are necessary
• Conduct further research looking at student anxiety in relation to exams.