E-bulletins archive

Last updated: 23/01/2024

Important actions and reminders

First term-time checkpoint open to ensure the timely delivery of VTQ results: We recently shared the plan and timelines with you to ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2024 and beyond. You can find the details on our VTQ timely results webpage. If your centre runs one or more of the qualifications in scope of this year’s arrangements, you must complete the actions required for the first term-time checkpoint, which is open now, and will close on 9 February 2024. Find out how to complete the required actions.

Resilience arrangements: Ofqual has published guidance on measures to ensure resilience in the qualification system. The guidance focuses on gathering and retaining evidence of learner performance for potential grading decisions in the event of government decisions to cancel exams or other formal assessments. Whilst the guidance primarily targets GCSE and A level qualifications, it also includes T Levels, and other NCFE qualifications. For further details, visit this page. We also want to remind you about contingency planning and preparing for unexpected events. You must have a contingency plan in place, which can be deployed if required. Your plan should take account of guidance from DfE, JCQ and NCFE. Find more information on contingency planning.

Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level: Arrangements are still being finalised with regard to the future delivery of the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level. We are waiting for confirmation from DfE and IfATE and an update will be provided on this as soon as possible.

Assessments and reviews

Autumn assessment series – results release: We’ll release r for the autumn assessment series to providers on 20 March 2024, ahead of you sharing these with students on 21 March 2024. Following the release to students, post-results services may be requested. We’ll share more information on results release in our February provider newsletter, but review of marking deadlines are available in our Key Dates Schedule.

Submit approval for additional T Levels: From 26 February, you’ll be able to request approval to deliver additional T Levels from September 2024. Find out more information about what you’ll need to do once the window opens.

Suspected malpractice policies and procedures – prohibited use of AI: You must ensure to access and understand our policies and procedures about malpractice and especially to remind you about the regulations concerning the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in online assessments. AI tools could provide students with an unfair advantage, resulting in investigation, sanctions and the possible disqualification of students from external assessments, therefore you must ensure that any tools are removed or disabled prior to students completing any external assessment.

Supporting your delivery

Complete your mandatory training as soon as possible: You must complete the mandatory training for delivering T Level qualifications with moderated assessments by 29 February 2024 and sign the declaration form to confirm when this is completed.

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

Learning resource offer update: To support your T Level delivery, we've continued to expand and update our suite of essential and additional materials. You can find all of these materials under the ‘Teaching Materials’ tab on the relevant qualification page on our website.

Guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre: We want to support you to maintain the highest standards of cyber security to safeguard your sensitive information, including student personal data, and to protect the integrity of secure assessments. In today's digital landscape, it’s crucial to adhere to industry best practices to mitigate the risk of cyber threats. You can find top tips and guidance for staying secure online on the National Cyber Security Centre’s website. 

Education and Early Years specific updates

Sign your learners up for our Education and Early Years student conference: Taking place on 21 February from 2-4pm, our next student conference focuses on ‘the unique child’. Your students will learn vital skills and knowledge to support them on placements or in the workplace, centring around the critical importance of recognising, valuing, and respecting the holistic needs of each child.

Assessment window for Early Years Educator Assignment 2 Part 2 and Assisting Teaching Assignment 2: The assessment window for Early Years Educator Assignment 2 Part 2 and Assisting Teaching Assignment 2, opens on 1 February and closes on 17 May 2024 as stated in the Take a look at our useful tips, mandatory training and events.

Last updated: 16/02/2024

Important actions and reminders

First term-time checkpoint now closed: To ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2024 and beyond, we have two term-time checkpoints this academic year that you must complete. The first checkpoint is now closed and we want to thank you for submitting your information to us. If you haven’t yet completed your check, our Provider Assurance team will have been in contact with you, as failure to respond to term-time checkpoint requests within the specified period will be considered a breach of your centre agreement. The next checkpoint will open on 15 April and the deadline for completion will be 3 May.

Approvals

Approval window opening on 26 February: If you’re planning to deliver additional NCFE T Level qualifications in September 2024, you’ll need to apply for additional product approval with us via our website before you can start the delivery of them. The approval window opens on 26 February 2024 and closes on 28 June 2024.  Please be aware that if your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need to apply for approval for each campus to deliver these additional qualifications. Similarly, if your academy is part of a Multi Academy Trust, each academy will require separate approval.

Applying to the Department for Education (DfE) for 2024-25 registration (funding): The deadline to register for 2024-25 funding has passed. If you still need to apply, IfATE has recommended that you contact your lead representative at the DfE or complete this form. They’ll then be able to confirm your approval status and provide any advice on the next steps.  

Assessments and reviews

Reminder on resilience arrangements and contingency planning: Please ensure you familiarise yourself with Ofqual’s guidance on resilience arrangements and our information on contingency planning. 

Autumn assessment series – post-results services: We’ll release results for the autumn assessment series to providers on 20 March 2024, ahead of you sharing these with students on Thursday 21 March 2024. If any one of your students has a query following results release on 21 March, we can support you with a range of post-results services. 

Updates to our Key Dates Schedule: We want to clarify some recent updates to the Key Dates Schedule for 2023-2025. 

Supporting your delivery

Complete your mandatory training before 29 February: All staff involved in T Levels must complete the mandatory training for delivering T Level qualifications with moderated assessments by 29 February 2024 and sign the declaration form to confirm when this is completed. This training is designed to bring your teams together to align assessment decisions and expectations for the externally moderated components of the occupational specialism (OS).

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

Teaching and delivery support: We have a range of drop-in clinics, live CPD events and on-demand recordings to support your delivery. Take a look at the support available.  

Education and Early Years specific updates

Preparing for moderation: We’ve updated our preparing for moderation webpage with updated information and links. We’ve also added an ‘Education and Early Years specific information’ section, which will replace the former Education and Early Years Moderation webpage. 

Catch up on our assessor network event: If you were unable to attend our most recent assessor network event for Education and Early Years, this has been recorded and can be viewed here. You can also access the FAQs from the event.

Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy specific updates

Important changes to the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level: It was announced on 30 January that the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level will be reshaped as a T Level focused solely on the beauty sector. This is now being scoped out and would be launched after 2025.

Heath, Healthcare Science and Science specific updates

Amendment to Health T Level qualification specification: We’ve made changes to the qualification specification for the Health T Level.

March 2024 Updates: 

Last updated: 13/03/2024

Important actions and reminders

Autumn assessment series – preparing for results release: We’ll release results for the autumn assessment series to providers on 20 March 2024, ahead of you sharing these with students on Thursday 21 March 2024. Visit our T Level results webpage for more information on how we can support you with a range of post results services, should any one of your students have a query following results release. 

VTQ term-time checks reminder: The first VTQ term-time checkpoint is now closed, and we want to thank you for submitting your information to us. If you haven’t yet completed your check, our team will have been in contact with you. The window for the second term-time checkpoint will open on 15 April 2024 and the deadline will be 3 May 2024. Find out more. 

Approvals

Reminder that the approval window is now open: If you’re planning to deliver additional NCFE T Level qualifications in September 2024, you’ll need to apply for additional product approval with us via our website before you can start the delivery of them. The approval window is now open and closes on 28 June 2024.  Please be aware that if your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need to apply for approval for each campus to deliver these additional qualifications. Similarly, if your academy is part of a Multi Academy Trust, each academy will require separate approval. If you need support with applying for approval, please watch this handy video. 

Supporting your delivery

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

Teaching and delivery support: We have a range of drop-in clinics, live CPD events and on-demand recordings to support your delivery. Take a look at the support available.

Digital specific updates 

We’ve observed that the number of providers engaging with us for support around the Digital T Level is still very low compared to other subject areas. We’d like to remind you of the range of prepared materials, live sessions, curriculum consultations and drop-in sessions that are available. Please make sure you visit the teaching and delivery support page linked above.

Just announced: NCFE and Gatsby Technical Education Projects (GTEP) are joining forces to support T Level teaching and learning, providing free teaching materials for educators who teach Health, Science and Digital T Levels. 

Education and Early Years specific updates

Catch up on our recent student conference: If you were unable to attend our latest Education and Early Years student conference last month, you can view the content covered here. 

Health, Healthcare Science and Science specific updates 

Just announced: NCFE and Gatsby Technical Education Projects (GTEP) are joining forces to support T Level teaching and learning, providing free teaching materials for educators who teach Health, Science and Digital T Levels. 

Sign your learners up for our first Health student conference: Taking place on 25 June from 10am-12pm, our first Health student conference will focus on ‘Digital Healthcare Revolution: Transforming Healthcare with Technology’. Your students will delve into the dynamic realm of technology in healthcare, with a special emphasis on the healthcare landscape, and how healthcare professionals are using technology to enhance patient outcomes. 

Entering marks for T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Level 3) (Delivered by NCFE) 603/7066/X: Please ensure that you enter your marks for all students before the assessment window deadlines, following the relevant deadlines below for both parts one and two. You should also ensure to withdraw any inactive students before entering marks.

For T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Level 3) (Delivered by NCFE) 603/7066/X, there are two separate assessment windows. 

• Part 1: Practical Activity Assessment (PAA) Core, 15 April 2024 – 26 April 2024. 
• Part 2: Practical Activity Assessment (PAA) Option, 29 April 2024 – 17 May 2024.  

Provider marks must be submitted to the portal at the end of the assessment window. 

• For Part 1 (Core) the final submission deadline is midnight on 26 April 2024. 
• For Part 2 (Option) the final submission deadline is midnight on 17 May 2024.

April 2024 Updates: 

Last updated: 16/04/2024

Complete your second term-time checkpoint before Friday 3 May

Second term-time checkpoint now open: To ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2024 and beyond, we have two term-time checkpoints this academic year that you must complete. The window for the second term-time checkpoint opened on Monday 15 April 2024 and the deadline is Friday 3 May 2024. Find out more. 

Summer assessment series – what you need to know

On Thursday 28 March, we emailed you with information on what you need to know ahead of the summer assessment series, and we followed up on this message with additional details on Occupational Specialisms (OS) and moderation on Tuesday 16 April, along with a link to our summer assessment series webpage. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with all the information on upcoming assessments by visiting this webpage.

Using AI in Summer 2024 external assessments 

As we approach our summer series, we want to reiterate expectations on the use of AI in external assessments. We particularly want to address: 

• the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and risks 
• the overall approach of the JCQ guidance (students must submit work which is their own, and that submitting work which is not their own, and/or which shows other AI misuse, will be investigated for potential malpractice and could result in disqualification from an assessment, or qualification overall) 
• qualification specific guidance (for example, qualifications such as T Level Employer Set Project (ESP) and OS assessments, or CACHE Level 3 extended response essays, which allow access to the internet for some or all parts of the assessment). 

Read more on using AI in assessments

A reminder on social media sharing and the risk of malpractice

At all times, please remember that live assessment material, including project briefs, assessment materials and other related documents must not be shared or discussed on social media or through messaging apps or with individuals in other organisations that are not directly involved in the set-up of the assessment. Please review and take note of the JCQ guidelines on malpractice and maladministration (specifically looking at section 3.3.1). These guidelines outline the importance of maintaining the security of all external assessment materials, which is part of your centre agreement with us.

Booking cut-off dates 

The booking cut-off for all assessments, including resits, has now passed and any bookings made now will be subject to late booking fees. Please see the T Level fees section of our fees and pricing document, pages 17-18. 

T Level fees 2024-25

As we look ahead to the new academic year, we want to let you know about the changes we’re making to our T Level Technical Qualification fees for 2024-25. Read more.  

Key Dates Schedule consultation  

Have your say: We’d like your feedback on our proposed T Level Key Dates Schedule for 2024-25 and 2025-26, focusing on both the content and structure of this document. Please review our guidance and the proposed document before submitting your feedback. You can access these here.

The deadline for feedback is 10 May 2024. Following this, we’ll review your comments and publish a response to queries and feedback, before confirming a final version by 1 July 2024.

Supporting your delivery

We have a range of drop-in clinics, live CPD events and on-demand recordings to support your T Level delivery. This includes an interactive session ahead of the summer ESP, hosted by our Customer Support and Provider Development teams. We also have sector-specific support available, including sessions on ‘preparing students for debates and discussions’ and ‘legislative changes in early years’ for the Education and Early Years T Level, and ‘preparing for year two delivery’ for the Health and Science T Levels. Take a look at the support available.

Education and Early Years specific updates   

Update to Assignment 2 tutor and student guides: We wanted to make you aware of a small error in the Early Years Educator Assignment 2 tutor guide. On page 71, the criterion states ‘S4.24’ but this should be ‘S4.23’. The assessed skills description beneath is for the S4.23 criterion which is correct, and it’s only the number that is incorrect. You and your students shouldn’t be affected if following the skills on this page. The student guide also references ‘S4.24’ on page 6 where this should also be ‘S4.23’ in line with the tutor guide. We’re updating these guides for the next academic year to ensure the correct criterion number is shown, and we apologise for any confusion this may have caused. 

Heath, Healthcare Science and Science specific updates 

Entering marks for T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Level 3) (Delivered by NCFE) 603/7066/X: Please ensure that you enter your marks for all students before the assessment window deadlines, following the relevant deadlines below foreach part. You should also make sure you withdraw any inactive students before entering marks. 

For T Level Technical Qualification in Health (Level 3) (Delivered by NCFE) 603/7066/X, there are two separate assessment windows: 

• Part 1: Practical Activity Assessment (PAA) Core, 15 April 2024 – 26 April 2024 
• Part 2: Practical Activity Assessment (PAA) Option, 29 April 2024 – 17 May 2024. 

Your marks must be submitted to the Portal at the end of the assessment window: 

• For Part 1 (Core) the final submission deadline is midnight on 26 April 2024 
• For Part 2 (Option) the final submission deadline is midnight on 17 May 2024. 

Please follow this guidance when entering marks into the Portal.

Reminders on assessment materials and window dates for Health, Healthcare Science and Science 

• The assessment materials for the Healthcare Science OS – Assisting with Healthcare and Science OS – Science are now available to download.  
• The Health OS Core assessment window opened on 15 April 2024. 
• The Health OS Pathways assessment window will open on 29 April 2024. 

Please remember that the Portal will close at the end of the assessment window, as outlined in the Key Date Schedule (KDS). All student marks must be entered before the Portal closes and any inactive students must be withdrawn. 

Once the Portal closes, students selected for remote moderation will be displayed in the ‘Bookings’ area of the Portal the following day.  For information watch our ’view students selected for moderation and upload evidence’ video. You will need to log into the Portal to see which students have been selected for sampling.  

The required evidence for each student selected for sampling must be uploaded within three working days of the assessment window closing. Providers must ensure that adequate resource is available during this time to upload evidence required for moderation.   

The evidence upload checklist detailing what evidence  must be uploaded for each student is available within the assessment materials pack.   

Please refer to the TQ Portal and Online Assessment User Guide, for guidance about  how to view students selected for sampling and how to upload student evidence.   

Failure to submit evidence within the required timescales will result in delays to final moderation and student results. This will also affect your provider's risk rating following moderation. Failing to submit evidence may result in potential maladministration and will be referred to our Provider Assurance team for further review.  

May 2024 Updates: 

Last updated: 14/05/2024

Summer assessment series – what you need to know

Please visit our T Level summer series webpage for reminders about all aspects of T Level assessments. Visit the webpage.

Occupational Specialism (OS) marking deadlines: As we approach the final stages of the moderation window for T Levels in 2023-24, we want to remind you of the upcoming crucial deadlines and required actions relating to submitting marks for the OS. You must meet all deadlines to ensure your students receive accurate and timely results.  Read more.

T Level approval window – a reminder

The approval window is now open and closes on 28 June 2024. If you’re planning to deliver additional NCFE T Level qualifications in September 2024, you’ll need to apply for additional product approval with us via our website before you can start delivering them. Please note that if your college has multiple campuses, you’ll need to apply for approval for each campus to deliver these additional qualifications. Similarly, if your academy is part of a Multi Academy Trust, each academy will require separate approval. If you need support with applying for approval, please watch this handy video.  

Updates to qualification materials for T Levels

Following our annual review, new copies of the qualification specifications and updated versions of the sample assessment materials for certain T Level qualifications are now available. You must download these new qualification specifications ahead of teaching from September 2024, as summer 2025 assessments for new students will be based on the new specifications.  Find out more. 

Supporting your delivery 

Support events and recordings: We have a range of drop-in clinics, live CPD events and on-demand recordings to support your T Level delivery. We also have sector-specific support available, including sessions on ‘preparing students for debates and discussions’ and ‘legislative changes in early years’ for the Education and Early Years T Level, and ‘preparing for year two delivery’ for the Health and Science T Levels. Take a look at the support available.   

NCFE’s 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.

Education and Early Years specific updates

Education and Early Years student conference on 6 June: Join us 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. 

New competency criteria: This is now available on our website and the updated criteria should be used for new cohorts starting in September. Students moving onto year two will remain on the current competency skills as they have already started to be assessed on these. Please visit the Education and Early Years qualification page, navigate to ‘Support materials’ and download the ‘Early Years Educator assignment 2 competence observation criteria – teaching from 01 September 2024’. 

Heath, Healthcare Science and Science specific updates

Mastering Extended Response Questions (ERQs) bitesize videos: Unlock the secrets to success in T Level assessments with our informative bitesize recordings, containing guides to navigating ERQs and mastering the art of effective written communication:  

• Health 
• Healthcare Science 

• Science. 

Upcoming student conference on 25 June: Join us 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. 

Discover insights from Health and Science T Levels: Join us at this virtual event as we delve into two years of experience and lessons learned from delivering the Health and Science T Levels. This session will explore core content and Occupational Specialisms, and you’ll hear from other providers, as they share their experiences with the group. 

June 2024 Updates: 

Last updated: 11/07/2024

Summer assessment series – what you need to know

We recently shared reminders with you about key dates, guidance, required actions, and information for paper-based and online assessments in this summer’s core exams. Remind yourself of the information by visiting our summer assessment series webpage.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in assessments: The misuse of AI (and other external applications) in assessments is a significant and growing risk. Misuse of AI can result in investigation and disqualification. With this in mind, we’d like to reiterate expectations on the use of AI in our assessments. Visit our new webpages on AI in assessments.

T Level approval window – a reminder

The approval window closes shortly on 28 June 2024. If you’re planning to deliver additional NCFE T Level qualifications in September 2024, you’ll need to apply for additional product approval with us via our website before you can start delivering them. If you need support with applying for approval, please watch this handy video. 

Supporting your delivery

NCFE’s 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. Topics range from harnessing the power of ChatGPT in education to the 16-19 qualifications landscape; from supporting learners with autism to exploring equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in teaching. Sign up for the sessions now and add them to your diary!

Heath, Healthcare Science and Science specific updates

Upcoming student conference on 25 June: Equip your students with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in their placements by signing them up to our first-ever Health student conference, ‘Digital Healthcare Revolution: transforming healthcare with technology’. Your students will have the opportunity to hear from subject specialists and professionals about the latest trends and future developments in healthcare technology, learn about different types of technology and the utilisation of these in modern healthcare, and ask questions to our panel of experts and professionals.

Science T Level success at The Manchester College: Hear from student, Mair Gort, and Science T Level Lead, Jabinda Silva Lobo, on the benefits of studying the T Level, and how it’s preparing students to take the next steps in their careers.

• Student stories: “The T Level has given me a distinct advantage over others”
  
  
• The Manchester College: “The T Level qualification has had a profound impact on our students”