Service messages

Updated on [20/1/2025]

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!

January 2025

VTQ timely delivery of results 

• Following our communications towards the end of last year to confirm arrangements to ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2024-25, we wanted to remind you that the first term-time checkpoint is now open. If you deliver any of the qualifications in scope of this year’s arrangements, your centre’s action is required to ensure this checkpoint is completed by Friday 31 January. Visit our timely delivery of VTQ results webpage for more information on the actions you need to take and where to find support.
• From summer 2025 onwards, we’re bringing forward the completion date for EQA reviews to 30 June. Please contact your External Quality Assurer if you have any queries on this. Learners who do not require their result on results days in August don’t require a review by this date. If you haven’t yet booked your review, please contact your EQA as soon as possible to ensure availability. 

Key dates and reminders 

• Remember that you must register your learners within 90 days of their start date to avoid late registration fees. Please ensure you add your learners’ correct planned end dates at the point of registration.
• It’s important we have the correct contact information for key colleagues within your centre. Let us know about any changes to contact details at your centre by filling out our change of centre contact details form.  

• Reminder about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during online external assessments: We'd like to remind you that the use of external aids, either spelling, punctuation and grammar, or other cloud-based or AI tools is closely controlled and monitored, and are explicitly not permitted in any NCFE online external assessments (including Functional Skills, and T Level online core exams). This approach is in line with JCQ’s Suspected Malpractice Policies and Procedures. As use and familiarity of large language model AI tools grows, the risk that learners use them in assessments will also grow. If learners are found to be using any external aids during their external online assessment, this will be investigated and will likely result in disqualification. Therefore, it is the responsibility of centres to ensure that learners are aware of what is prohibited during their assessments, and that the misuse will likely result in disqualification. This is especially important for remotely invigilated assessments, where learners are not under direct centre supervision. However, learners should be reminded that their screens are recorded during these assessments, as well as other camera recordings, so use of prohibited tools will be clearly identified, and result in disqualification. If you need any further information around the use of AI during external assessments, please visit our webpage. 

Horizons archive

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