FAQs - Quality, Delivery and Assessment

Open Awards Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) information can be found on The Portal, including template documents and additional guidance.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they may already possess. Evidence of learning must be sufficient, reliable and valid. It is the responsibility of the provider to inform Open Awards at registration of any exemptions and/or equivalences for which a claim may be made. These claims will be subject to external quality assurance by the Open Awards Quality Assurance Team. For more information, please see our Recognition of Prior Learning Policy found on The Portal.

All Open Awards qualifications come with a Qualification Guide which will assist you in your delivery and assessment. Each qualification also has a Purpose Statement which is designed for learners to understand the requirements and progression. Dependent on the assessment method of the qualification, there will also be practice assessments and sample materials available. If you require personalised support with planning your curriculum, you can contact our Business Development Team at enquiries@openawards.org.uk

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is the amount of hours the qualification will take to complete, including all guided learning, independent learning and assessment. Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is the amount of hours that should be tutor led.

No. Applications for reasonable adjustments must be submitted via The Portal as soon as possible after the need has been identified and, in all cases, at least 20 working days before the assessment is due to take place.

In the case of Apprenticeship Assessments, Open Awards expects reasonable adjustment requests to be made well in advance of the anticipated gateway date to ensure there is no impact on the EPA window. Please refer to our Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy and Procedures for more information.

Maladministration is defined as any activity, neglect, default or other practice that results in an apprentice, training provider or employer not complying with the specified requirements for delivery of Apprenticeship Assessment.

Malpractice is any act, default or practice which:

• Compromises, attempts to compromise, or may compromise, the process of assessment/ examinations, the integrity of any Apprenticeship Assessment activity or the validity of an assessment result or certificate, including maladministration
• Damages the authority, reputation or credibility of Open Awards or any officer or employee
• Involves a failure by an apprentice, training provider or employer to provide Open Awards with such necessary information as required to enable it to investigate allegations of suspected malpractice also constitutes malpractice.

An apprentice, training provider or employer must report any allegation of suspected malpractice/ maladministration to Open Awards. Failure to report allegations of malpractice/ maladministration can lead to assessment results not being conferred and certification claims not being processed, and future registrations not being accepted.

Further information is available within Open Awards’ Malpractice and Maladministration Policy and Procedures, including how Open Awards will manage alleged or suspected malpractice or maladministration.

Where Open Awards is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that an allegation is substantiated, it reserves the right to impose a range of sanctions on an apprentice and/ or training provider and/ or an employer, depending on the seriousness of the situation and the risk to the interests of learners and the integrity of the Apprenticeship Assessment and the effect on public confidence in Open Awards. Further information can be found within Open Awards’ Sanctions Policy.

Open Awards will ensure that in most cases alleged malpractice is kept confidential between itself and those directly impacted. However, in cases of serious malpractice, Open Awards may exchange information with the regulators, other Apprenticeship Assessment organisations and other appropriate authorities.

Open Awards is committed to ensuring access to fair assessment for all learners and to protecting the integrity of assessments and qualifications.

There may be circumstances whereby arrangements need to be made to take account of particular learners’ requirements in order to ensure that this is achieved without giving any unfair advantage over other learners.

The Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy and Procedures, sets out the principles which should be followed when making decisions about adjustments to assessment. It outlines Open Awards’ reasonable steps to ensure it avoids disadvantage (directly or indirectly) in line with the requirements of The Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010. The policy and procedures are accessible through the Open Awards Secure Portal.

Reasonable Adjustments

Any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places a learner at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments are adjustments made to an assessment for a qualification so as to enable a disabled learner to demonstrate his or her knowledge, skills and understanding to the levels of attainment required by the specification for that qualification.

Reasonable adjustments must not affect the reliability or validity of the assessment outcomes but may involve:

• Changing the usual assessment arrangements, e.g. allowing a learner extra time to complete an assessment activity
• Adapting assessment materials e.g. by providing large print or providing materials in Braille
• Providing assistance during an assessment e.g. by providing a trained signer, interpreter or a reader
• Changing the assessment method e.g. from a written assessment to a spoken assessment
• Using assisted technology such as screen reading or a voice activated software.

Reasonable adjustments must be approved and set in place before the assessment takes place. The work produced by the learner will be assessed in the same way as all other learners.

Where the employer and training provider believe reasonable adjustment(s) may be required, this can be identified at the registration stage. Open Awards requires a minimum of 20 days’ notice of any request for reasonable adjustments so this can be considered and where approved, arrangements made.

Special Considerations

Adjustments which may be applied after an assessment where the learner has encountered exceptional circumstances that have disadvantaged them during their assessment.

In the case of Apprenticeship Assessment, the assessment plan for the apprenticeship standard defines permissible special considerations and the circumstances surrounding the apprentice’s Apprenticeship Assessment that fall within this definition.

Smart glasses present several risks during assessments:

• Cheating: Hidden internet access, stored notes, or other unauthorized resources.
• Covert Communication: Cameras and microphones enable discreet communication with others, potentially compromising test integrity.
• Recording Assessment Content: Audio and video recording capabilities could lead to the distribution of sensitive test materials.
• Detection Challenges: Modern designs resembling traditional eyewear make detection difficult.
• Unfair Advantage: Uneven playing field for learners with access to the technology.

Key features that distinguish smart glasses from regular glasses include:

• Cameras: Small lenses embedded in the frame.
• Buttons/Touch Controls: Located on the arms of the glasses.
• Speakers/Microphones: Often embedded in the arms for audio.
• Charging Ports: Visible USB ports for charging.
• Brand Recognition: Popular brands are easily recognizable.
• Weight/Design: Typically, heavier than traditional eyewear.

Smart glasses are wearable technology that enhance traditional eyewear with features like augmented reality displays, cameras, microphones, and internet connectivity.