Reminder of the confidentiality of mark schemes

We would like to remind all centres of the requirement to keep the mark scheme secure. Where a centre uses a supply teacher or consultant to mark candidate’s work, such staff should:

• Be made aware of the confidentiality requirements for the mark scheme
  
• Be required to agree to comply with the confidentiality requirements, before being given access to the mark scheme. 

The exams officer should only release the mark scheme to the teacher when the teacher is ready to mark the candidate’s work (the mark scheme can be released on a task by task basis if required). 

The mark scheme is a confidential document and the content must not be disclosed to candidates until after results have been issued in August 2016. Once teaching staff have seen the mark scheme for a task, they must not give any further assistance to candidates with a view to improve their work. Teachers (including temporary supply teaching and cover staff) must not discuss and share the contents of the mark scheme with anyone outside of their centre. It is the responsibility of all staff within a centre to maintain the confidentiality of the mark scheme making it a valid, reliable and fair assessment process for all.

We would also like to remind centres that we do not endorse the use of third party mark scheme guidance to assist with the marking of candidates’ work.  Such guidance may mislead centres, and could affect the validity, reliability and fairness of assessment for candidates.

If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk