Service messages

Updated on [5/12/2024]

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!

December 2024

Christmas closing hours

• We’ll be closing for the Christmas break from 5pm on Monday 23 December 2024 until 8:30am on Thursday 2 January 2025. This means our customer support services (by email, phone and web chat) will be unavailable during this time – but you’ll still be able to access our website and our Portal, as usual.

VTQ timely delivery of results

• Following our communication last month to confirm arrangements to ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2024-25, we wanted to let you know 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.

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.
• Take a look at our useful document which includes the key dates for the NEAs this academic year, along with details of the activities needed at specific times and where to find support.
• From summer 2025 onwards, we’ll be bringing forward the completion date for EQA reviews to 30 June. Please contact your External Quality Assurer if you have any queries on this.
• 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.

Qualification updates and withdrawals

• View our latest Horizons document, featuring qualification updates and maintenance information including qualification withdrawals, new qualifications, and qualification amendments.
• We’ve updated our Regulations for the Conduct of External Assessments for 2024-25. View all the updates and access the latest version of the regulations.

Exams officers’ update

• View this month's update

Functional Skills

• Look at the latest information on Functional Skills bookings over the festive break, including paper-based and online assessments.
• To support your planning, view our schedule for introducing new assessments into the live assessment paper bank for the remainder of the 2025 session, as during these periods our usual 6 working day turnaround will be paused.
• Sign up for our upcoming January maths, English and Digital Skills CPD events, including ‘CPD maths: conquering confidence and confusion’ and ‘CPD English: magic of mindfulness and wonders of wellbeing’.

T Levels

• View our latest T Level communications.

V Certs

• View our 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 [email protected].
• Our Professional Development Week is back from 16-20 December to support teachers, assessors, senior leaders and support staff with their teaching and learning, improving confidence and enhancing learner engagement. Register for the sessions now.
• We’ve created a top tips document to help prevent malpractice within your centres and colleges. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the different actions you can take.

Our impact

• Read our newly launched Social Impact Report 2024, to explore how we’re making a difference to learners, educators, institutions, the wider community and society, through our qualifications and investments.

Horizons archive

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