Securing parity for learners studying vocational qualifications for summer 2024 and beyond

Ofqual has announced measures to ensure learners taking vocational qualifications get their results on time from 2024 onwards, following the approach taken this year.

These measures will also be adopted by awarding bodies who offer vocational qualifications in Wales. This is an important step in our shared commitment to ensuring that learners taking vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) have parity of treatment with those taking A levels or GCSEs.

The following measures have been developed in response to feedback from schools and colleges, awarding bodies, exams officers and education leaders:

• a term-time checkpoint for schools and colleges to confirm which learners need a result in August to progress to higher or further education
• awarding bodies will issue results on or before A level and GCSE results days, as appropriate
• results will be provided to schools and colleges in advance, in sufficient time for exams officers to check and prepare them for final release to learners
• Level 1/2 and Level 2 qualifications used for progression will be included in the term-time checkpoint and results issue arrangements to ensure learners taking qualifications alongside GCSEs also receive their results when they need them
• Ofqual’s VTQ Information Hub will bring together key dates and deadlines from a wider range of awarding bodies, to support school and college staff working in the administration or delivery of these qualifications
• Ofqual will continue to work with awarding bodies to encourage clear, timely, precise and consistent communications
• Ofqual will convene a VTQ Results Group, building on the successful work of the taskforce established in 2023, to bring together key sector representatives and awarding bodies to ensure timely results for learners

For more information, visit Ofqual’s website.