Assessment schedule clashes with other activities Plan/establish priorities well ahead (e.g. start of academic year) for all subjects or lines of learning Plan dates in consultation with school calendar – negotiate with other parties HoD Too many assessments close together across subjects or lines of learning Plan assessments so they are spaced over the duration of the course Space assessments to at least allow candidates some time between assessments HoD Accommodation Insufficient space in classrooms for candidates Once group sizes are known at the start of the year, flag instances where regular classroom space may not be suitable to conduct controlled assessment Use more than one classroom or multiple sittings necessary HoD/Sue Forshaw Insufficient facilities for all candidates Careful planning ahead and booking of rooms / centre facilities HoD/Sue Forshaw Example risks and issues Possible remedial action Staff Forward planning Action Downloading awarding body set tasks
IT system unavailable on day of assessment Download tasks well ahead of scheduled assessment date in all cases Book IT equipment well ahead and download tasks before scheduled date of assessment Teaching staff/assessors unable to access task details Test secure access rights ahead of schedule every year and every session Ensure teaching staff/assessors have access rights for correct area of awarding body secure extranet sites ahead of time EO Loss of task details in transmission Download tasks well ahead of scheduled assessment date Report loss to awarding body for replacement; download again Absent candidates Candidates absent for all or part of assessment (various reasons) Plan alternative session(s) for candidates Candidates have a scheduling clash for exams or assessment (possibly offsite on consortium teaching) Always consider candidate timetables well ahead and decide on priorities in advance to scheduling clashes Check before booking the date; provide an alternative date, where necessary and consult awarding body procedures for dealing with timetabling clashes N.B. retakes of controlled assessment are limited Example risks and issues Possible remedial action Staff Forward planning Action Control levels for task taking Teacher
Assessment is undertaken under incorrect level of control (time, resources, supervision and collaboration) Ensure teaching staff/assessors know what level is applicable and understand what is involved. Provide training if required Seek guidance from the awarding body HoD/Teacher Supervision Student study diary/plan not provided or completed* Ensure teaching staff/assessors are aware of the need for study diary/plans to be completed early in course Ensure candidates start, continue and complete study diary/plans that are signed after every session Teaching staff/assessors do not understand supervision of controlled assessment is their responsibility Ensure teaching staff/assessors understand nature of controlled assessments and their role in supervision Suitable supervisor has not been arranged for an assessment where teaching staff/assessors are not supervising A suitable supervisor must be arranged for any controlled assessment where a teacher/assessor is not supervising, in line with the awarding body specification. * Not all controlled assessment whether for the Diploma or will require the completion of a study diary or study plans Example risks and issues Possible remedial action Staff Forward planning Action
Task setting Teaching staff/assessors fail to correctly set tasks Ensure teaching understand the task setting arrangements as defined in the awarding body specification** Seek guidance from the awarding body HoD/Teacher/EO Assessments have not been moderated as required in the awarding body specification Check specification and plan required moderation appropriately Seek guidance from the awarding body HoD/Teacher/EO Security of materials Assessment tasks not kept secure before assessment Ensure teaching staff understand importance of task security Request/obtain different assessment tasks HoD/Teacher/EO Candidates’ work not kept secure during or after assessment Define appropriate level of security, in line with awarding body requirements, for each department as necessary Take materials to secure storage HoD/Teacher/EO Insufficient or insecure storage space Look at provision for suitable storage early in the course Find alternative spaces HoD/Teacher/EO ** All tasks whether set by the awarding body or the centre/consortium must be developed in line with the requirements of the specification. Example and issues Possible remedial action Staff Forward planning Action Deadlines
Deadlines not met by candidates Ensure all candidates are briefed on deadlines/penalties for not meeting them Mark what candidates have produced by deadline and seek guidance from awarding body on further action. Deadlines for marking and/or paperwork not met by teaching staff/ assessors Ensure teaching staff/assessors are given clear deadlines (prior to awarding body ones) to complete marking/paperwork so the exams office can process and send off marks ahead of AB deadlines Seek guidance from awarding body Authentication Candidate fails to sign authentication form Ensure all candidates have authentication forms to sign and attach to work when it is completed before handing in Find candidate and ensure form is signed HoD/Teacher Teaching fail to complete authentication forms or leave before completing authentication Ensure teaching staff/assessors understand importance of authentication forms and the requirement of a signature Return form to staff for signature. Ensure forms are signed as work is marked, not at end of season HoD/Teacher Example risks and issues Possible remedial action Staff Forward planning Action Marking