Ascentis Arrangements for Vocational Qualifications in 2020-21
Updated 30th October 2020
Arrangements for 2020-21
The regulators Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales have published the outcome of their consultation on arrangements for 2020-21 (EERF), which builds on the VTQ framework (ERF) that we implemented over the summer.
The purpose of the EERF is to enable Awarding Organisations to assist with mitigating the impact of disruption to teaching, learning and assessment, and any ongoing disruption to or restrictions on the delivery of assessments, through the adaptation of qualifications and assessments.
Ascentis have identified some qualifications where adaptations will be permitted in 2020-21.
The EERF will specifically focus on adaptation as a mitigation and will apply to the following Ascentis qualifications only:
- ESOL Skills for Life (see additional guidance here)
- English & Mathematics Skills
- Education & Training
- Community Interpreting (Ascentis Level 3 Certificate in Community Interpreting 600/2872/5)
- Short Online Qualifications (SOQs) (This also includes Principles of Health and Safety (Unit K/504/1368) and Level 3 Award and Certificate in Managing Property and Residential Lettings (603/5156/1 and 603/5157/3)
- Construction (only Principles of Health and Safety Unit K/504/1368)
Please click on the qualifications above to find out more information on the permitted adaptations.
These adaptations are in place for learners who sit assessments or are due to complete their qualification by 31st July 2021.
To further support you, we are hosting webinars on the above qualifications. Please visit our Events page here for further information or to book a place.
All other Ascentis qualifications must be delivered, assessed and internally verified in line with the normal requirements of the qualification specification and no adaptation should be made that compromises these standards.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the Quality Assurance Team at qualityassurance@ascentis.co.uk
Access to HE Qualifications
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) have published the arrangements for Access to HE qualifications in 2020-21. Ascentis have communicated with Centre Coordinators regarding the outcome of the QAA consultation and arrangements for 2020-21. Please initially discuss with your Centre Coordinator if you have any questions. Your centres allocated Ascentis Quality Assurance Manager will be able to support you with any queries you may have throughout this academic year.
Extended Regulatory Framework (ERF) Awarding Summer 2020
Those centres that have claimed for learners in Summer 2020, will have submitted the required information to Ascentis in order to conduct External Verification and issue results. If any centres have any questions regarding the results that have been submitted to Ascentis, please contact hello@ascentis.co.uk. Any learners that require information regarding results, must contact their centre (college, school or training provider).
Quality Assurance Events for 2020-21
We are holding a series of online Quality Assurance Events in 2020-21 to support centres with the delivery and assessments of Ascentis qualifications. Please click here to visit our Events page.
Supportive Documents:
Ascentis has a range of useful subject-specific resources to support all aspects of the delivery of our qualifications. For example, our brand new ESOL Skills for Life Handbook and Community Interpreting Centre Guidance. These documents and others are located in the Login Area of the Ascentis Website.
EQA Activity:
All EQA activity will be completed remotely until further notice. Your allocated Centre Quality Reviewer and External Quality Assurer(s) will be in contact shortly to discuss arrangements for 2020-21. If you require further information on EQA activity, please contact qualityassurance@ascentis.co.uk
Contact Information & Support
Our Customer Support Team will continue to support you in 2020-21, our main contact number is 01524 845046 or alternatively please email them at hello@ascentis.co.uk
If you need to get in touch with one of our teams, you can contact them directly on the following emails:
- Ofqual, CCEA & Qualifications Wales Quality Assurance Team - QualityAssurance@ascentis.co.uk
- Access to HE Quality Assurance Team - ahed@ascentis.co.uk
- Operations Registration, Verification and Certification Team – operations@ascentis.co.uk
- Operations Events Team – events@ascentis.co.uk
- Operations Exams Team - exams@ascentis.co.uk
- Finance Team - Finance@ascentis.co.uk
- IT Team – support@ascentis.co.uk
- Development Team – development@ascentis.co.uk
- Commercial Team – commercial@ascentis.co.uk
Staff will continue to respond to their emails, this will be the preferred method of communication.
Your centre
If circumstances occur which may further impact your learners please ensure that you inform us immediately so that we are better able to support you.
Certificates
We have recently contacted all centres to confirm your certification preference for all your learners.
Centres have the option to receive e-Certificates only or hard copy certificates and e-Certificates.
If you have any questions regarding certificates then please email the Registration, Verification and Certification Team at operations@ascentis.co.uk
Enquiries
In the meantime if you have any questions, please get in touch with your usual contact here at Ascentis or contact us at hello@ascentis.co.uk
