Exams policy

The purpose of this exams policy is to ensure the:

• planning and management of exams is conducted efficiently and in the best interests of candidates
• operation of an efficient exams system with clear guidelines for all relevant staff

 Everyone involved in the centre's exam processes must read, understand and implement this policy.

 This policy will be reviewed annually. It will be reviewed by the InspireU senior lead, with final agreement from the head of centre.

Where references are made to JCQ regulations and guidelines, further details can be found on the JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications website.

Exam responsibilities

The head of centre:

• has overall responsibility of InspireU exam centres
• advises on appeals and re-marks
• is responsible for reporting all suspected or actual incidents of malpractice - refer to the JCQ document suspected malpractice in examinations and assessments

Exams officer:

• manages the administration of external exams
• advises the senior leadership team, management team, tutors, and other relevant learner support staff on annual exams timetables and procedures as set by the various awarding bodies
• oversees the production and distribution, to all centre staff and candidates, of an annual calendar for all exams in which candidates will be involved. Communicates regularly with staff concerning imminent deadlines and events
•  ensures candidates and their parents are informed about relevant exam timetable details
• checks with provision managers that the necessary coursework and, or controlled assessments are:
  • completed on time
  • in accordance with JCQ guidelines
• confirms detailed data on estimated entries submitted by provision managers
• maintains systems and processes to support the timely entry of candidates for their exams
• ensures that all exam papers are received, checked and stored securely, and dispatched as per the guidelines
• administers access arrangements and makes applications for special consideration following the regulations in the JCQ publication: a guide to the special consideration process
• identifies and manages exam timetable clashes
• advises and update the head of centre for income and expenditures relating to all exam costs and charges
• supports the provision manager to ensure candidates' coursework and controlled assessment marks are submitted, and any other material required by the appropriate awarding bodies correctly and on schedule
• tracks, dispatches, and stores returned coursework and controlled assessments
• arranges for dissemination of exam results and certificates to candidates, and forwards any post results service requests, in consultation with the SLT

The senior lead for exams is responsible for:

• ensuring provision managers are aware of their responsibility towards guidance and pastoral oversight of candidates who are unsure about exams entries or amendments to entries
• ensuring provision managers accurately complete entry and all other mark sheets and adherence to deadlines as set by the exams officer
• ensuring provision managers accurately oversee the completion of coursework, controlled assessment mark sheets and declaration sheets
• decisions on post-results procedures

Tutors are responsible for:

• supplying information on entries, coursework and controlled assessments as required by the head of department and, or exams officer
• marking and second marking of all entry examinations
• marking internally assessed course work, in line with awarding body regulations
• submitting work internally assessed for IQA as requested
• identifying concerns of malpractice and reporting these timely

The EHC and SEND coordinator is responsible for:

• identifying and testing candidates’ requirements for access arrangements. Notifying the exams officer of these in good time, so  they can put in place exam day arrangements
• working with the exams officer to provide the access arrangements required by candidates in exams rooms
• complete any referrals required to the Lincolnshire County Council specialist teaching team for particular assessments in regard to access arrangements

Invigilators are responsible for:

• assisting the exams officer in the efficient running of exams according to JCQ regulations
• collection of exam papers and other material from the exams office before the start of the exam
• collection of all exam papers in the correct order at the end of the exam, and ensuring they return to the exams office

Candidates are responsible for:

• confirmation and signing of entries
• understanding coursework and controlled assessment regulations. Signing a declaration that authenticates the coursework as their own
• ensuring they conduct themselves in all exams according to the JCQ regulations