Service messages

Updated on [19/03/2025]

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!

March 2025 

Second term-time checkpoint open now 

The window for the second term-time checkpoint is now open and the deadline will be Friday 2 May 2025. Visit our timely delivery of VTQ results webpage for more information on the actions you need to take and where to find support.     

Key dates, assessments and results 

Updates to our post-results services 

We’ve made changes to how you request post-results services, to make the process easier for you and your learners. We’ve made it easier to request: 

• enquiries about results, including a clerical check and review of marking 

• access to scripts 

• Functional Skills feedback. 

Following the release of external assessment results, you can now submit your requests via the NCFE Portal. Find out how to do this on our assessment results and queries webpage. 

Updated assessment timetable for 2024-25 

We’ve updated our assessment timetable for all CACHE and V Cert qualifications with assessments in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Click here to view the timetable and supporting documentation. 

Remote invigilation requirements: learner IDs 

For any external assessment sat through our remote invigilation service, it's an essential part of the process for the learner to have a valid ID available and ready to display it clearly to the system when prompted. The ID is needed so when the recording of the assessment is reviewed, we can verify that the learner is the person named on the booked assessment. 

We have clear guidance on which forms of ID are accepted by NCFE, and guidance on how to display the ID when prompted by the system, to allow the ID to be reviewed and the learner verified for their assessment.  Download the guidance document. 

It's crucial that you ensure your learners are aware of the need for this before they sit their remotely invigilated assessment. 

If we're unable to verify who the learner is, due to invalid ID or an unclear ID image, this will lead to delays in them receiving their results and may lead to their assessment being disqualified. Please contact our Customer Support team through Live Chat on our website or by email at customersupport@ncfe.org.uk if you have any queries. 

Important reminders 

Queries about the process of applying for approval for additional NCFE qualifications? 

We wanted to remind you that when applying for additional product approval, you can add multiple qualifications to the one application. Just add all the qualifications to your basket before submitting your application.  

Before applying for approval, you can check if you’re already approved to deliver the qualification to avoid the need for filling in the form. It's quick and easy to check this in our Portal under ‘products’, which is available on the welcome page before proceeding. This screen allows you to search for a specific product or you can select all to show all products you’re approved to deliver.  

Qualification updates and withdrawals 

• View our latest Horizons document, featuring qualification updates and maintenance information including qualification withdrawals, new qualifications, and qualification amendments. 

Exams officers’ update 

• View this month’s update. 

Functional Skills 

• Read our update on the changes to Functional Skills requirements within apprenticeships plus take advantage of the series of upcoming events that will help to enhance your Functional Skills delivery. Read more. 

T Levels 

• We released results from the T Level autumn assessment series (2024) to students on Thursday 20 March. Read more on our results webpage.  

• View our latest T Level communications. 

V Certs 

• View our latest V Cert service messages. 

Supporting your delivery 

• Sign up now for our upcoming Assessor and Internal Quality Assurance training events to meet virtually with other professionals and expand your knowledge and understanding. If you have any questions on this training, please contact the team at qaevents@ncfe.org.uk. 

• Preventing maladministration – we’re here to support you: We know that administrative processes can be complex, and mistakes happen. But with the right preparation and simple preventative measures, many of these issues can be avoided. Our goal is to support you in getting things right the first time, saving time and effort for your team while ensuring the best outcomes for learners. Read our latest blog from Glen McEwan, Provider Assurance Manager at NCFE. 

Horizons archive

Explore our Horizons portfolio update from 2025 and beyond below to learn more about our current offer.