Examinations Resits and Controlled Assessments Policy. for. Burford School

Transcription

1 Examinations Resits and Controlled Assessments for Burford School Staff Reviewed by: Mrs K Shires (DHT) Curriculum and Date Reviewed: 18 May 2017 Next 1

2 The purpose of this policy is: to ensure the planning and management of exams is conducted efficiently and in the best interest of candidates to ensure the operation of an efficient exam system with clear guidelines for all relevant staff. It is the responsibility of everyone involved in the centre s exam processes to read, understand and implement this policy. This exam policy will be reviewed by the Head (Curriculum) and the Exams Manager. 1. Exam Responsibilities Head Overall responsibility for the school/college as an exam centre: advises on appeals and re-marks the head of centre is responsible for reporting all suspicions or actual incidents of malpractice. Refer to the JCQ document Suspected malpractice in examinations and assessments. Exams Manager Manages the administration of public and internal exams and production of exam results: 2

3 advises the senior leadership team, subject and class tutors and other relevant support staff on annual exam timetables and application procedures as set by the various exam boards oversees the production and distribution to staff, governors and candidates of an annual calendar for all exams in which candidates will be involved and communicates regularly with staff concerning imminent deadlines and events ensures that candidates and their parents are informed of and understand those aspects of the exam timetable that will affect them consults with teaching staff to ensure that necessary coursework is completed on time and in accordance with JCQ guidelines provides and confirms detailed data on estimated entries receives, checks and stores securely all exam papers and completed scripts administers access arrangements and makes applications for special consideration using the JCQ Access arrangements and special considerations regulations and Guidance relating to candidates who are eligible for adjustments in examinations identifies and manages exam timetable clashes accounts for income and expenditures relating to all exam costs/charges organises the recruitment, training and monitoring of a team of exams invigilators responsible for the conduct of exams submits candidates coursework marks, tracks, despatches and stores returned coursework and any other material required by the appropriate awarding bodies correctly and on schedule arranges for dissemination of exam results and certificates to candidates and forwards, in consultation with the SLT, any appeals/re-mark requests maintains systems and processes to support the timely entry of candidates for their exams. Heads of Department Guidance and pastoral oversight of candidates who are unsure about exam entries or amendments to entries. Involvement in post-results procedures. Accurate completion of coursework mark sheets and declaration sheets. Accurate completion of entry and all other mark sheets and adherence to deadlines as set by the exams Manager. Head of Careers Guidance and careers information. 3

4 Teachers Notification of any candidates requiring access arrangements to Learning Support as soon as possible after start of the course. SENCO Identification and testing of candidates requirements for access arrangements. Provision of additional support with spelling, reading, mathematics, dyslexia or essential skills, hearing impairment, English for speakers of other languages, IT equipment to help candidates achieve their course aims. Lead Invigilator/Invigilators Collection of exam papers and other material from the exams office before the start of the exam. Collection of all exam papers in the correct order at the end of the exam and their return to the exams office. Candidates Confirmation and signing of entries. Understanding coursework regulations and signing a declaration that authenticates the coursework as their own. 2. Statutory Tests and Qualifications Offered The statutory tests and qualifications offered at this centre are decided by the heads of department and the Senior Leadership Team. The statutory tests and qualifications offered are GCSE, A levels, BTEC, and Vocational qualifications. The subjects offered for these qualifications in any academic year may be found in the option choices booklet for GCSE and the Sixth Form Prospectus for GCE. If there is to be a change of syllabus from the previous year, the exams office must be informed by the end of the summer term. 4

5 At Key Stage 4 All candidates will be entitled, and enabled, to achieve an entry for qualifications from an external awarding body. At Post-16 It is expected that AS modules will be completed during year Exam Seasons and Timetables 3.1 Exam Seasons Internal exams are scheduled during the school year at the most relevant point for the year group. External exams are scheduled in May and June. Internal exams in Years 9, 10 and11 are held under external exam conditions. Exam series that are used in the centre are decided by the Heads of Department. 3.2 Timetables The exams Manager will circulate the exam timetables for both external and internal exams once these are confirmed. 4. Entries, Late Entries and Resits 4.1 Entries Candidates are selected for their exam entries by the subject teachers. A candidate or parent/carer can request a subject entry, change of level or withdrawal. The centre will, in some circumstances, accept entries from external candidates. 4.2 Late entries 5

6 Entry deadlines are circulated to Heads of Department via notice board and memo/ . Late entries are authorised by Heads of Department and Exams Manager. 4.3 Re-sits Re-sit decisions will be made in consultation with the candidates, parents, subject teachers, Head of Sixth Form, Exams Manager and the Heads of Department as laid out below. (See also section 5: Exam fees) Re-sits at GCSE are only available in English, English Language, and Maths. There will be no exams available in January or March. There are no re-sits available at A2 Level. If a student and their parents feel that a re-sit would be advantageous, then they should contact the relevant subject teacher as soon as possible after the issue of results. Re-sit decisions will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the candidate, subject teacher and the relevant Head of Department. There is no automatic right to resit a module. OFQUAL has made it clear that the design of the new GCSEs means that resits should become the exception and not the rule. When deciding whether or not to allow a resit, departmental policy should take into account the following factors before allowing the Head of Department to give permission for a resit: Performance against expected grade Overall work rate and application of the student Attendance and punctuality to lessons Extenuating circumstances The pro-forma in this document must be used for all resit requests. Heads of Department should ensure that copies of this are available for students immediately following the publication of results. In all cases where it is agreed that a student should be entered for a re-sit, the cost will be met by the student/parents. The Exams Office will publish the costs of re-sits. 6

7 GCSE Exam Re-sit Request Form-Summer If you wish to re-take any exam in the Summer, you only have a short time in which to decide. You need to complete the form below and return it to the Exams Office along with payment by. (cheques made payable to Burford School ). Name: Date of Birth: Cand No: Form: I wish the Examinations Manager to enter me for the following re-sit(s) 7

8 Exam Board Subject and Unit Title Unit Code(s) Cost Teacher(s) Signature Total Cost English / Maths / Science re-sits - 12 per unit. I understand the total costs for these re-sits will be:. (Cheques to be made payable to 'Burford School' - cash is acceptable) Signed: I have discussed these re-sits with my son/daughter. I am aware of the number of exams that they will be taking. Signed: (parent/guardian) Payment Received: Entry made: A Level Exam Re-sit Request Form-Summer If you wish to re-take any exam in the, you only have a short time in which to decide. 8

9 You need to complete the form below and return it to the Exams Office along with payment by. (cheques made payable to Burford School ). Name: Date of Birth: Cand No: Form: I wish the Examinations Manager to enter me for the following re-sit(s): Exam Board Subject and Unit Title Unit Code(s) Cost Teacher(s) signature Total Cost I understand the total costs for these re-sits will be:. (Cheques to be made payable to 'Burford School' - cash is acceptable) Signed: (Student) I have discussed these re-sits with my son/daughter. I am aware of the number of exams that they will be taking. Signed: (Parent/Guardian) I agree to the above student re-sitting more than 2 modules. Signed: (Head of Sixth Form) Payment Received Entry made: 9

10 5. Exam Fees GCSE, BTEC and Vocational initial registration and entry exam fees are paid by the centre. AS initial registration and entry exam fees are paid by the centre. A2 initial registration and entry exam fees are paid by the centre. Late entry or amendment fees are paid by the departments (or candidates, depending on circumstances). Candidates or departments will not be charged for changes of tier, withdrawals made by the proper procedures or alterations arising from administrative processes, provided these are made within the time allowed by the awarding bodies. Reimbursement will be sought from candidates who fail to sit an exam or meet the necessary coursework requirements. This fees reimbursement policy will be communicated in writing to candidates and parents/carers at the start of GCSE and post-16 courses. Retake fees for first and any subsequent retakes are paid by the candidates, and will include an element towards the cost of invigilation. (See also section 4.3: Retakes) 6. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), Special Needs and Access Arrangements 6.1 DDA The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 extends the application of the DDA to general qualifications. All exam centre staff must ensure that the access arrangements and special consideration regulations and guidance are consistent with the law. 6.2 Special needs A candidate s special needs requirements are determined by the SENCO, and the educational psychologist / specialist teacher or doctor. The SENCO will inform subject teachers of candidates with special education needs. The 10

11 Exams Manager will then inform departments of any access arrangements granted to the pupils by the examination boards. 6.3 Access arrangements Making special arrangements for candidates to take exams is the responsibility of the SENCO and the Exams Manager. Submitting completed access arrangement applications to the awarding bodies is the responsibility of the Exams Manager. Rooming for access arrangement candidates will be arranged by the Exams Manager. Invigilation and support for access arrangement candidates will be organised by the Exams Manager with the Learning Support Department. 7. Estimated Grades The Heads of Department will submit estimated grades to the Exams Manager when requested by the Exams Manager. 8. Managing Invigilators and Exam Days 8.1 Managing invigilators External invigilators will be used for exam supervision. They will be used for all exams where possible. The recruitment of invigilators is the responsibility of the Exams Office. Securing the necessary Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance for new invigilators is the responsibility of the Exams Office. 11

12 DBS fees for securing such clearance are paid by the centre. Invigilators are timetabled and briefed by the Exams Office. Invigilators rates of pay are set by the centre administration. 8.2 Exam days The Exams Manager will book all exam rooms after liaison with other users and make the question papers, other exam stationery and materials available for the invigilator. The Exams Manager will liaise with caretaking staff to set up the allocated rooms. The lead invigilator will start all exams in accordance with JCQ guidelines. In practical exams subject teachers may be on hand in case of any technical difficulties. Exam papers must not be read by subject teachers or removed from the exam room before the end of a session. Papers will be distributed to Heads of Department at the end of the exam session. 9. Candidates, Clash Candidates and Special Consideration 9.1 Candidates The centre s published rules on acceptable dress, behaviour and candidates use of mobile phones and all electronic devices apply at all times. Candidates personal belongings remain their own responsibility and the centre accepts no liability for their loss or damage. Disruptive candidates are dealt with in accordance with JCQ guidelines. Candidates may leave the exam room for a genuine purpose requiring an immediate return to the exam room, in which case a member of staff must accompany them. The Exams Manager will attempt to contact any candidate who is not present at the start of an exam and deal with them in accordance with JCQ guidelines. 9.2 Clash candidates 12

13 The Exams Manager will be responsible as necessary for identifying escorts, identifying a secure venue and arranging overnight stays. 9.3 Special consideration Should a candidate be too ill to sit an exam, suffer bereavement or other trauma or be taken ill during the exam itself, it is the candidate s responsibility to alert the centre, or the exam invigilator, to that effect. Any special consideration claim must be supported by appropriate evidence within five days of the exam, for example a letter from the candidate s doctor. If appropriate the Exams Manager will then forward a completed special consideration form to the relevant awarding body within seven days of the exam. 10. Coursework/Controlled Assessment and Appeals Against Internal Assessments 10.1 Coursework/Controlled Assessment Candidates who have to prepare portfolios should do so by the end of the course or centre-defined date. Heads of Department will ensure all coursework/controlled assessment is ready for despatch at the correct time and the Exams Manager will keep a record of what has been sent when and to whom. Marks for all internally assessed work are provided to the Exams Office by the Heads of Department. A full and comprehensive account of the JCQ s guidance notes on controlled assessments can be found in the following location: P:\Staff\ARR The following sections in particular should be read carefully: Section 2. Keeping materials secure Section 4.1 Supervision Section 4.7 Authentication Procedures Appendix 2 Notice to candidates 13

14 Staff responsibilities for GCSE controlled assessments are as follows: Senior Leadership Team Accountable for the safe and secure conduct of controlled assessments. Ensure assessments comply with JCQ guidelines and awarding bodies subjectspecific instructions. At the start of the academic year, begin coordinating with heads of department/subject to schedule controlled assessments. (It is advisable that controlled assessments are spread throughout the academic years of Key Stage 4.) Map overall resource management requirements for the academic year. As part of this resolve: o clashes/problems over the timing or operation of controlled assessments; o issues arising from the need for particular facilities (rooms, IT networks, time out of school etc); Ensure that all staff involved have a calendar of events. Heads of Department Decide on the awarding body and specification for a particular GCSE. Ensure that at least 40% of overall assessment (controlled and/or external assessment) is taken in the exam series in which the qualification is certificated, to satisfy the terminal assessment requirement in accordance with the awarding body specification. Obtain confidential materials/tasks set by awarding bodies in sufficient time to prepare for the assessment(s) and ensure that such materials are stored securely at all times. Supply to the Examination Manager details of all unit codes for controlled assessments. Standardise internally the marking of all teachers involved in assessing an internally assessed component. 14

15 Ensure that individual teachers understand their responsibilities with regard to controlled assessment. Ensure that individual teachers understand the requirements of the awarding body's specification and are familiar with the relevant teachers' notes, and any other subject specific instructions. Ask the appropriate special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) for any assistance required for the administration and management of access arrangements. Where appropriate, develop new assessment tasks or contextualise sample awarding body assessment tasks to meet local circumstances, in line with awarding body specifications and control requirements. Teaching Staff Understand and comply with the general guidelines contained in the JCQ publication Instructions for conducting controlled assessments. Understand and comply with the awarding body specification for conducting controlled assessments, including any subject-specific instructions, teachers notes or additional information on the awarding body s website. Supervise assessments (at the specified level of control). Undertake the tasks required under the regulations, only permitting assistance to students as the specification allows. Take a seating plan for each session of controlled assessments. This should be kept with the controlled assessments to monitor attendance and deal with queries if the question of plagiarism arises. Ensure that students and supervising teachers sign authentication forms on completion of an assessment (p.20 of the booklet noted above, on the P drive). Mark internally assessed components using the mark schemes provided by the awarding body. Submit marks through the exams office to the awarding body when required, keeping a record of the marks awarded. Retain candidates work securely between assessment sessions (if more than one). 15

16 Post-completion, retain candidates work securely until the closing date for enquiries about results. In the event that an enquiry is submitted, retain candidates work securely until the outcome of the enquiry and any subsequent appeal has been conveyed to the centre. Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO): Assess students for access arrangements at the start of the academic year and pass the information needed to apply for access arrangements to the Exams Manager. The Exams Manager will inform relevant teaching staff. Work with teaching staff to ensure requirements for support staff are met. Exams Manager: Enter students for individual units, whether assessed by controlled assessment, external exam or on-screen test, before the deadline for final entries. Enter students' 'cash-in' codes for the terminal exam series. Where confidential materials are directly received by the exams office, to be responsible for receipt, safe storage and safe transmission, whether in CD or hard copy format. Download and distribute marksheets for teaching staff to use, and collect and send marksheets to awarding bodies before deadlines. On the few occasions where controlled assessment cannot be conducted in the classroom arrange suitable accommodation where controlled assessment can be carried out, at the direction of the senior leadership team Appeals against Internal Assessments Appeals will only be considered if they apply to the process leading to an assessment. There is no appeal against the mark or grade awarded Candidates may appeal if they feel their coursework/controlled assessment has been assessed unfairly, inconsistently or not in accordance with the specification for the qualification 16

17 Appeals should be made in writing by 30 June to the (or other nominee) who will decide whether the process used conformed to the necessary requirements The Head s findings will be notified in writing, copied to the Exams Manager and recorded for awarding body inspection. 11. Results, Enquiries about Results (EARs) and Access to Scripts (ATS) 11.1 Results Candidates will receive individual results slips on results days in person at the centre / by post to their home addresses (candidates to provide SAE) or by . Arrangements for the school to be open on results days are made by the Exams Manager. The provision of staff on results days is the responsibility of the Head. The centre aggregates at the end of Year 12 for AS grades EARs EARs may be requested by centre staff or candidates if there are reasonable grounds for believing there has been an error in marking. If a result is queried, the Exams Manager, teaching staff and Head will investigate the feasibility of asking for a re-mark at the centre s expense. A candidate may apply to have an enquiry carried out, they will be charged for this (See section 5: Exam fees) 11.3 ATS After the release of results, candidates may ask the Exams Manager to request the return of papers. They will be charged for this. Centre staff may also request scripts for investigation or for teaching purposes. For the latter, the consent of candidates must be obtained. GCSE re-marks cannot be applied for once a script has been returned. 17

18 12. Certificates Certificates are posted (recorded delivery) or collected and signed for. Certificates may be collected on behalf of a candidate by a third party, provided they have been authorised to do so. The centre retains certificates for five years. 18