02 Mar 2021
During the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, we remain committed to supporting our centres and learners. On this page, we will provide updates and guidance as the situation develops.
We understand that many centres have already found ways to adapt their delivery to ensure that social distancing measures are met and that your learners are able to undertake their qualifications. However, you may be seeking further guidance.
Page last updated: 2nd March 2021
Access to HE – Provider flexibilities
Information Sheet: Provider flexibilities for supporting Access to HE Diploma students in 2020-21
QAA has released an update for Access to HE students and providers on the Assessment and Award of the Access to HE Diploma in 2020-21.
Remote Assessments for Essential Digital Skills Qualifications
Gateway Qualifications is allowing learners to take Essential Digital Skills live assessments remotely from 8th February 2021 during the current national lockdown.
More details and guidance on taking EDSQ Assessment Remotely are available here
The Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF)
On 25th February 2021, the Government announced the policy and scope of awarding vocational and technical qualifications in 2021. Ofqual also confirmed that it will implement a new principles-based qualifications framework, the Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF).
Ofqual proposes to withdraw the ERF and the Extended ERF, but proposes to carry forward provisions which are still relevant to the 2021 context into the VCRF. The VRCF will permit alternative awarding arrangements for in scope qualifications that include delaying assessments, adapting assessments including Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs).
Read more about the introduction of the VCRF
Vocational and Technical Awarding Arrangements 2021 – Webinar
Please join us at 12.30 pm on 11th March 2021 for a short, half-hour webinar that will introduce you to the VCRF and to give you an update on our progress for awarding arrangements this year.
Book your place on our webinar now
Adaptation Webinars
We would like to invite you to watch one of our adaptation webinars where we provide a regulatory update and details about the adaptations that will be permitted for our qualifications during 2020-21.
Our General Adaptions webinar is now available on-demand and covers all qualifications except ESOL Skills for Life and Access to HE qualifications.
Watch the general adaptations webinar now
We are holding an additional ESOL Adaptations webinar on 11th November 2020 at 2.30pm to specifically cover adaptations for ESOL Skills for Life qualifications.
Register now for the ESOL adaptations webinar
In recognition of the fact that some adaptation approaches are not suitable for use in the secure environment, we are also holding a webinar on 17th November 2020 at 3.00pm focused on adaptations for those delivering our qualifications in a prison context. Prisons delivering our ESOL qualifications are best-suited to attend this webinar but are welcome to join our ESOL Adaptations webinar too.
Register now for our Prison Adaptations webinar
Guidance Documents
The following guidance documents have been produced to assist Centres in making decisions about the adaptations which will be appropriate in their situation.
Centre guidance for adaptations to qualification delivery and assessment 2020-2021
Additional guidance for specific qualifications suites
Direct Observation in Health and Care Qualifications – the following documents from Skills for Health and Skills for Care and Development set out the adaptations permitted where direct observation in the workplace is required for assessment. This applies to the following qualifications:
- 603/2826/5 – Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Diploma in Care
- 603/2819/8 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
- 603/2681/5 – Gateway Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care
Skills for Health assessment principles – flexibilities Sept 2020
Skills for Care and Development: Adaptions to Assessment Principles Covid-19
Direct Observation in Education and Training Qualifications – the following document from the Education and Training Foundation sets out the adaptations permitted where direct observation in the workplace is required for assessment. This applies to the following qualifications:
- 600/8239/2 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
- 600/8240/9 – Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Award In Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- 600/8241/0 – Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Award In Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- 601/1825/8 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
- 601/1845/3 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Certificate In Assessing Vocational Achievement
- 601/2007/1 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
- 601/2045/9 – Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Award In the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
- 601/2123/3 – Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Award In Understanding the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
ETF additional guidance for qualifications in Education and Training
Centres seeking to make adaptations to these qualifications must seek agreement from us before applying those adaptations, by completing the form below.
Observations in Assessor and Quality Assurance Qualifications – the following document from the Education and Training Foundation sets out the adaptations permitted where direct observation is required. This applies to the following qualifications:
- 601/2324/2 – Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Education and Training
- 601/2444/1 – Gateway Qualifications Level 4 Certificate In Education and Training
- 601/2445/3 – Gateway Qualifications Level 5 Diploma In Education and Training
ETF additional guidance for Assessor/Quality Assurance qualifications
Centres seeking to make adaptations to these qualifications must seek agreement from us before applying those adaptations, by completing the form below.