BTEC DELIVERY & ASSESSMENT POLICY

Created By: R Gaines Date: June 2014 Signed: Chair of Governors

Introduction In order to offer a wide and appropriate curriculum for our students and maximise achievement, we deliver a range of BTEC Level 2 courses at both KS4 and KS5. These run parallel to our GCSE and GCE provision, as well as other alternative courses, and the timetable allows for learners to study a range of qualifications.

Staffing All staff at James Calvert Spence College are appropriately qualified to deliver and assess their subject and are given sufficient time to develop their role, fulfil the requirements and to evaluate and improve their courses. Staff who are new to the college, and/or the course, have an induction programme which ensures that they are aware of policies and procedures, management structures, assessment and exam board requirements. All staff have access to CPD via the college inset programme, both internally and from external providers.

Resources

All departments are well resourced with provision being reviewed annually to ensure that they can meet the requirements of all students on the course. Where new courses are introduced, funding is made available for the provision of resources needed for delivery. College policies and procedures ensure that resources meet health and safety requirements.

Learner Recruitment

Admission to courses takes place in conjunction with other college policies including admissions, equal opportunities and inclusion. The college options programme at the end of KS3 and KS4 ensures that learners are well-informed of possible pathways and the courses available. Learners have access to options booklets outlining the courses and entry requirements, as well as a programme of tutorials to inform decision – making. In addition, learners and their parents/carers have the opportunity to attend an options evening to discuss potential courses with individual departments. All students receive one-to-one guidance from a senior member of staff, with parents/carers present wherever possible.

Learner Support All learners are given support throughout the course within the four college faculties. Progress is monitored using a system of predicted , target and interim grades, with regular updates within each subject. In addition, overall student progress is monitored across all subjects, with regular reporting to parents and intervention by the senior leadership team where necessary. Where learners have a statement of special educational needs, or are registered as school action plus or school action, appropriate intervention and monitoring will be arranged by the AHT inclusion.

Staff Roles The college has a quality nominee who has overarching organisational responsibility for quality and acts as the edexcel contact. The QN works closely with the exams officer and lead IV’s in individual subject areas. The roles of all personnel involved are summarized on the BTEC organisation chart (Appendix 1).

Maintaining Quality Centre policies ensure that quality systems are in place for the recruitment, retention and safety of learners. Learners with special needs are supported and monitored as outlined in the centre inclusion policy. All practice complies with BTEC policies and procedures, with the QN, exams officer and Lead IV’s, as appropriate, disseminating information promptly to inform regular review and update within and across departments. Feedback from learners, teaching staff and other agencies eg Connexions, employers, is also used to initiate change and improve course content and delivery, within the criteria of the programme. Subject areas will use a standard proforma to record feedback and development (Appendix 2).

Assessment Procedures Role of the Lead IV The QN ensures that each subject area has a registered lead internal verifier, with a named deputy to replace them where need arises. The lead IV will:  Carry out the necessary lead IV training and assessment.  Train other members of the department in the assessment and IV process.  Ensure that the subject area carries out IV compliant with the edexcel requirements.  Have a process for dealing with weaknesses in assessment within the subject area.  Ensure the collation of sufficient evidence of assessment and verification  Maintain accurate and up to date records of learner progression and achievement.  Respond to edexcel advice for improving systems, processes and assessment outcomes. Assessment Practice and Recording Each subject area will have clearly defined assessment procedures and ensure that these are consistent across the subject. Where individuals require support in these procedures this will be made available from within the subject area, the faculty or from other subjects within the centre. Staff are also encouraged to seek further guidance from edexcel and other centres where appropriate. Centre documentation will be used across all subjects to ensure consistency and clarity for learners and staff. All assessment records will be kept up to date and stored securely within subject areas, available for verification where necessary. All records will be kept for a minimum of 3 years following certification. Also the new assessment and feedback regulations are set out within the Guide to Internal Assessment for BTEC Firsts and Nationals. These apply to students registered from September 2014. Assessment Malpractice and Appeals All subject areas will follow centre policy on malpractice, plagiarism and appeals. Students and staff will be made aware of these potential issues during induction and the procedures to follow if such an incidence occurs. Records will be kept by the exams officer as for all courses delivered by the centre, with serious malpractice reported to edexcel where necessary. Registration and Certification Learners will be registered and checked via the centre exams officer in consultation with subject area IV’s. Certification claims will be made by IV’s. When certificates are issued to the centre, they will be checked by the appropriate IV before they are released to students. Related Policies This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies: Race Equality County Equal Opportunities Health and Safety Internal Assessment Behaviour for Learning Complaints Marking and Assessment School Marking Policy Malpractice/Plagiarism Inclusion

Revision Record of Issued Versions Author Patricia Davies Updated by Russell Gaines Russell Gaines

Creation Date March 2011 Date January 2014 June 2014

Version 1

Status

2 3

Reviewed with minor changes Reviewed with minor changes

APPENDIX 1: BTEC ORGANISATION CHART QUALITY NOMINEE  Overall organisational responsibility for quality  Edexcel contact

EXAMS OFFICER  Enrolment and registration of learners  Claiming and distribution of learner certificates  Management of appeals



LEAD IVs Delegated authority for programme planning, delivery and assessment Tracking learner achievement Collation of evidence Responsible for meetings within and across subject areas for discussion re delivery, assessment, verification, review, evaluation and development Responsible for checking claims and certificates

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SUBJECT TEACHERS Delivery and assessment Contribution to verification, review, evaluation and development

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APPENDIX 2: FEEDBACK AND DEVELOPMENT PROFORMA DATE ___________________ STUDENT FEEDBACK

STAFF FEEDBACK

ACTION TAKEN