Service messages

Welcome to our service messages area. This area is regularly updated with the latest information about our products, qualifications, processes and more.

We’ll also send you a monthly newsletter where we’ll highlight any key updates, and you can click through to this webpage to read the full details. We recommend bookmarking this page so that you can check back regularly for any updates!

Page last updated: 22/05/2024

May 2024

Summer assessment reminders – covering key dates schedules, T Levels, V Certs and EQA reviews

• Employer Set Project (ESP) evidence upload deadlines: We want to remind you of the upcoming deadlines for the upload of evidence for T Level ESPs. Take a look at our Key Dates Schedule for the deadlines and our summer assessment series webpage for more information.
• V Cert assessment support: Visit our V Cert assessment support webpage for more information on key dates for Model 5 V Certs, how to access assessment materials, moderation, the benefits of online assessment and sources of support. 

• Summer assessment series: New resources have also been published by Ofqual in relation to V Cert summer awarding and these can be found below:  

  • VTQ results infographic - top tips for exams officers 
  • video on LinkedIn. 

  You can also refer to Ofqual’s VTQ Information Hub for more useful information and key dates. 

EQA reviews reminder

• We wanted to remind you that EQA reviews should be arranged as soon as possible with a planned date of no later than 31 July 2024, to guarantee results can be issued in time for results day. Please ensure you claim certificates following your EQA review, so that these can be processed on time and signed off by your EQA if you don’t have DCS.  

Important information and actions: qualification updates and withdrawals

• Assessment Timetable Consultation 2024/25 and 2025/26: We’d like your feedback on our proposed Assessment Timetable for 2024-25 and 2025-26, which we’ll then review and publish a narrative response to, before confirming a final version by 1 July 2024. To respond, please review the proposed Assessment Timetable for 2024-25 and 2025-26, and then complete this form with your feedback by the 14 June 2024. 
• Horizons qualification updates document: As a result of the post-16 qualification reforms and new criteria from the Department for Education (DfE), a number of qualifications are being withdrawn from funding – these are all listed in this month’s Horizons document. However, we’re delighted to have some fantastic replacement qualifications in place and an updated suite of early years educator (EYE) qualifications that meet the new criteria coming into effect from September 2024. Please ensure you and your colleagues read the Horizons document in detail for more information, and we’ll be sharing more updates in the coming weeks to support you in transitioning to the new qualifications. 
• Functional Skills Qualification in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) reminder: This ICT qualification is now withdrawn, and we’re no longer able to take learner registrations. Take a look at the key dates for the final external assessments.  

T Level approvals reminder - window still open

•  If you’d like to deliver T Levels for the first time from September 2024, or deliver additional T Levels, you’ll need to apply for approval via our website before 28 June 2024. If you need support with applying for approval, please watch this handy video.  

Resources and support  - Functional Skills, V Certs and our upcoming Professional Development Week

• Functional Skills English and maths CPD events: Sign up to our upcoming English and maths CPD events, including Teach, Share, Transform, contextualising English and formative assessment strategies for maths. 
• V Cert Level 1/2 Technical Awards support webinars: Join us for a series of upcoming ‘Prepare to Teach’ Q&A drop-in sessions, covering planning and preparation for the delivery and formative assessment of our V Cert Level 1/2 Technical Awards. Find out more. 
• NCFE Professional Development Week: After its success in December, our Professional Development Week will be back from 1-5 July, for a week packed with live and recorded CPD sessions to enhance your teaching and development. Find out more and sign up. 

Upcoming student sector conferences – Health and Early Years

Health: Join us on 25 June for an immersive journey where we'll delve into the dynamic realm of technology in healthcare. With a special emphasis on the healthcare landscape, discover how healthcare professionals are leveraging technology to enhance patient outcomes. We’re delighted to confirm our speakers so far:  

• Tracey Hutchinson: Provider Development Officer, NCFE 
• Guy Plowman: Institutional Sales Manager, RCNi. 

Early Years and Education: Join us on 6 June for our next virtual conference focusing on ‘enriching professional practice and communities’, where students will learn about the benefits of collaborative expertise when working towards best outcomes for babies, young children and their families.

Monthly exams officer update

View this month’s update which includes important reminders specifically for exams officers, upcoming events and resources to help you.  

Horizons archive

Explore our Horizons portfolio update from 2024 and beyond below to learn more about our current offer.