10 Aug 2020
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: 11th November 2020
The Extended ERF
The qualification and exams regulator, Ofqual, has implemented a new regulatory framework, the Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (EERF), which permits adaptions to qualifications. These adaptations seek to assist in mitigating disruption to teaching, learning and assessments so that, as far as possible, learners have the opportunity to receive fair results in the year 2020- 21 and are not disadvantaged by the longer-term impacts of the pandemic.
On 29th September 2020, a joint statement was released on gov.uk from AoC, AELP, HOLEX, FAB, JCQ and Ofqual on Vocational and Technical Qualifications for centres. The statement recognises the collaborative efforts in place to issue VTQ results in 2020-21 and confirms we will work together to agree how centre-facing communications can be streamlined over the current academic year.
During Ofqual’s consultation phase we have been developing our approach to the adaptations that we could permit, as these must be specified by the Awarding Organisation under the Extended ERF. Our approach has been informed by centres that we have spoken to about the types of adaptation required along with the support and guidance they would like to receive from Gateway Qualifications.
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.