Policy for Managing Controlled Assessments NOV 2016 Guidance It is the responsibility of each to obtain the controlled assessment task details from the exam boards. The Subject Leader should choose the most appropriate time for the controlled assessment to take place. The Controlled Assessment may take place during timetabled class time. The Subject Leader must plan when and how the assessment will take place, taking into account the accommodation and resources required. The Exams Officer should be notified when high-level controlled assessment is taking place. Relevant display materials must be removed or covered up. All staff must be aware of the relevant level of control permitted (high, medium or low) as this will determine the level of permitted supervision e.g. high control means that pupils are under exam conditions. Each pupil is to keep a research diary where they note the guidance and feedback received from their teacher. The diary should also contain a record of the research and planning stage containing notes, diagrams, essay plans and bibliography. All assessment materials must be locked, by the teacher, in a suitable secure cabinet at the end of each session. Separate user accounts for exam use must be used for high control level work. These must have no access to internet or e-mail and must only be accessible during the controlled sessions. If work is saved on memory sticks these must be collected in after each session and locked away as above. If a pupil is absent, the teacher must allow that pupil the chance to make up the time if necessary. For long absences, special consideration should be applied for. Entries for controlled assessment must be made at the appropriate time. Attendance records from assessment sessions should be kept by the class teacher. Work may be handwritten in black ink or word processed. Printouts, charts and videos can be included where appropriate. Where the specification permits pupils to work with others, e.g. during collection of data, any descriptions of the joint work must be in each candidate s own words.
Where work is assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the exam board, standardisation of marking must take place in the school if more than one teacher is involved in the assessing. If suspected malpractice occurs, the Exams Officer must be informed. If a pupil s work is lost within the school, this must be reported to the exam board. Authentication forms must be signed by the teachers and candidates. Access arrangements do apply to controlled assessment. The assessment marks must be submitted to the exam board by the appropriate date. Re-sits of controlled assessment may be allowed in the next exam session. After the results are published it may be possible to request a re-moderation of the work. Conducting controlled assessments The following is designed to delineate responsibilities to avoid ambiguity, omissions, conflict and confusion. Teachers responsibilities To be familiar with and adhere to the general guidelines contained in the JCQ regulations Instructions for Controlled Assessments. To be familiar with and adhere to the specific instructions for conducting controlled assessments contained in the awarding body regulations, specifications and websites for each specific subject. (See addresses below) To supply to the Examinations Officer details of all assessments (controlled assessments and written examinations) and the Unit codes, cash in codes and assessment details, deadlines and specific requests at the start of the academic year. To obtain from the Examinations Officer confidential material and tasks as set by the awarding bodies in sufficient time to make preparation for the assessments. To supervise to the correct standard all assessments for which they are responsible, undertaking such tasks as the regulations require and permitting only such assistance as the specifications allow. To ensure that pupils maintain a research diary/folder detailing time spent on the assessment, and to comment in such a diary. To ensure that authentication forms are signed by pupils and supervising teachers on completion of the assessment. To mark such assessments according to the mark schemes provided by the awarding bodies and submit the marks through the Examinations Officer to the awarding bodies when required, retaining a copy of the marks awarded. To retain the work of candidates, securely store at all times between assessment sessions and after the work has been completed until any date set by the awarding bodies for the release of material. To request from the Examinations Officer any assistance required for the administration or management of access arrangements To request from the Headteacher any additional invigilators or accommodation required for conducting controlled assessments in the event of certain assessments being defined as 'examinations' rather than 'tests and assessments in class during normal teaching time'.
Examination Officer responsibilities To enter all units whether for controlled assessments or written exams before the awarding body deadline To be responsible for the receipt and safe transmission of all confidential materials for conducting controlled assessments, whether that be downloaded electronically, CDs or hard copy. To download, create or distribute marksheets for the use of teaching staff and to collect and send such marksheets to the Awarding Bodies before any deadlines. To liaise with Headteacher to arrange accommodation as and when requested by the teaching staff in the situations defined above. To create, publish and keep up to date a Controlled Assessment Internal Appeals Policy To apply on line for any access arrangements relating to controlled assessments Headteacher s responsibilities To oversee the safe and secure conduct of controlled assessment and ensure that they adhere to both the JCQ general guidelines and the awarding body specific instructions. To co-ordinate the dates of controlled assessments by liaison with subject teachers so that these dates are fixed by the start of the academic year. It is advised that controlled assessments be spread throughout the academic years of KS4. To resolve any clashes or problems arising over the timing or operation of controlled assessments. To resolve any issues arising from the need for particular facilities (rooms, IT networks, time out of school, activities etc.). To supply support staff as and when requested by teaching staff Resource Management The Headteacher and Examinations Officer map overall requirements for the year, ensuring that there are no clashes with traditional exams and that there are sufficient facilities available at the times required, and that all staff involved have a calendar of events AQA www.aqa.org.uk Edexcel www.edexcel.com OCR www.ocr.org.uk WJEC www.wjec.co.uk CCEA www.ccea.org Risk Management See Appendix 1 Date Reviewed: Nov 2016 Date Updated: 17/11/2016 Next Review: Nov 2018
Appendix 1 RFHCS Risk Management Plan 2014/15 Risks and issues Downloading awarding body set tasks Forward planning Action Staff IT system unavailable on day of assessment Teaching staff unable to access task details Loss of task details in transmission Absent candidates Candidates absent for all or part of assessment (various reasons) Control levels for task taking The assessment is undertaken under incorrect level of control (time, resources, supervision and collaboration) Supervision Student study diary/plan not provided or completed* Teaching staff do not understand that the supervision of controlled assessments is their responsibility A suitable supervisor has not been arranged for an assessment where teaching staff are not supervising Task setting Download tasks well ahead of scheduled assessment date in all cases Test secure access rights ahead of controlled assessment schedule every year and every session Download tasks well ahead of scheduled assessment date Plan alternative session(s) for candidates Ensure teaching staff know what level is applicable and understand what is involved. Provide training if required Ensure teaching staff are aware of the need for study diary/plans to be completed early in course Ensure teaching staff fully understand the nature of controlled assessments and their role in supervising assessments A suitable supervisor must be arranged for any controlled assessment session where a teacher is not supervising, in line with the awarding body s specification Book IT equipment well ahead and download tasks before scheduled date of assessment Ensure teaching staff have access rights for the correct area of awarding body secure extranet sites well ahead of the controlled assessment schedule Contact awarding body and ask for replacement task; download again Ensure candidates start, continue and complete study diary/plans that are signed after every session MK/GS
Teaching staff fail to correctly set tasks Assessments have not been moderated in line with the awarding body s specification Security of materials Assessment tasks not kept secure before assessment Candidates work not kept secure during or after assessment Insufficient or insecure storage space Ensure teaching staff fully understand the task setting arrangements as defined in the awarding body s specification** Check specification and plan required moderation appropriately Ensure teaching staff fully understand the importance of task security Define the appropriate level of security, in line with the awarding body s requirements, for each department as necessary Look at provision for suitable storage at the start of the GCSE course Deadlines Deadlines not met by candidates Ensure all candidates are briefed on deadlines and the penalties for not meeting them Deadlines for marking and/or paperwork not met by teaching staff Authentication Candidate fails to sign authentication form Teaching staff fail to complete authentication forms or leave before Ensure teaching staff are given clear deadlines (prior to the awarding body deadline) to complete marking/paperwork (Marks can then be processed and submitted ahead of awarding body deadlines) Ensure all candidates have authentication forms to sign Ensure that the authentication form is securely attached to their work when it is completed and handed in for marking Ensure teaching staff fully understand the importance of authentication forms and the Contact the awarding body to request/obtain different assessment tasks Find alternative storage within the centre Mark what candidates have produced by the deadline Seek guidance from awarding body on further action Seek guidance from awarding body Find candidate and ensure authentication form is signed Return the authentication form to the teacher for signature MK MK
completing the authentication process requirement of a signature Ensure authentication forms are signed as work is marked Marking Teaching staff interpret marking descriptions incorrectly Centre does not run the standardisation activity as required by the awarding body Ensure appropriate training and practicing of marking Plan for sampling of marking during the practice phase Plan against the awarding body s requirements for standardisation, i.e. when and how this activity must be conducted Arrange for re-marking Consult the awarding body s specification for appropriate procedures Check with the awarding body whether a later standardisation event can be arranged