Moderation visit

You must make sure that: 

• A quiet base room is available for the OCR visiting moderator in which all work to be sampled will be available and accessible, including facilities for accessing Interchange, moderating any electronic portfolios or replaying any audio and/or video recordings. 
• All other centre-assessed and internally moderated work submitted for moderation is separately available and accessible as above. If applicable, copies of assignments/activities/tasks set by the centre should be included with candidates’ work. 
• All centre assessment and internal standardisation records for all candidates entered for moderation are available, together with copies of centre assignments/activities/tasks (if applicable). 
• All candidate authentication forms have been completed and signed. 
• Opportunities are available (if required) for the visiting moderator to meet with the assessors and internal moderators involved in the assessment/moderation of candidates’ work submitted for moderation. The presence of centre staff will not normally be required until the visiting moderator is ready to discuss outcomes, although centres should ensure that the visiting moderator has sufficient support to deal with any queries during the visit. 

Access to candidates is not required during the external moderation process.

Due to internal safeguarding policies we appreciate centres may need to see identification from visiting moderators before they are allowed access to the site. We do not issue visiting moderators with any form of identification, and we have advised moderators they should bring the following with them to any visit:

• A valid form of photo identification (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
• A copy of their OCR invitation to moderate
• A valid DBS certificate if they have one (we do not require visiting moderators to hold a valid DBS certificate in order to fulfil the role).

We also suggest visiting moderators arrange to meet their named contact on arrival at the centre, as they will have the moderator’s details and can verify these with their identification.

If your safeguarding policy requires some form of supervision for visitors whilst on site, this requirement should be discussed with the moderator before the visit so there is no impact on the moderation process.

We have advised visiting moderators of what identification they should take with them on visits; however, if you have any concerns then please contact our Customer Support Centre.

The OCR visiting moderator will moderate the requested samples and will decide whether the centre’s assessment of candidates’ work meets the agreed standards. Decisions will be made on the initial sample identified by the OCR visiting moderator combined with further samples, where necessary. 

At the end of each moderation visit, the OCR visiting moderator will discuss the outcomes of their moderation with centre staff and agree any action required by the centre.