On 15 October, the Department for Education (DfE) announced the arrangements for ad hoc script collections for the November examination series.
These arrangements have raised several concerns among exams managers/officers, which the NAEO has shared with DfE colleagues. These concerns include:
1. A consignment/tracking number is required to book a collection
- Pearson provides a separate label at the end of each register, potentially requiring centres to enter a significant number of consignment numbers.
- AQA does not issue tracking numbers until the label is sent by email, usually 48 hours before an examination.
- Larger centres face a particularly time-consuming process, as scripts must be sorted, checked and packed into multiple envelopes before the relevant consignment/tracking numbers can be entered.
2. Collections cannot be booked more than five days in advance
November collections are now classified as ad hoc rather than standard collections, which could previously be arranged in advance within a two-hour time slot.
What was once a straightforward administrative task, often completed through a short telephone call one or two weeks before the examination period, has become a much lengthier process.
Exams managers/officers must now arrange collections alongside the delivery of an exam series, adding unnecessary pressure during an already extremely demanding period.
3. The dimensions and weight of each script package must be entered
Centres must enter the dimensions and weight of every script package when booking a collection. This creates additional administrative work and further increases the time required to arrange collections.
Additional concerns
- Increased workload: The new arrangements are significantly more time-consuming and administratively burdensome.
- Risk of missed collections: Collection bookings may be overlooked amid the competing demands of examination days, potentially resulting in scripts reaching awarding organisations late.
- Helpdesk difficulties: Calls to the Parcelforce Worldwide exams helpdesk can involve lengthy waiting times, with callers subsequently being disconnected.
After highlighting these concerns and the additional administrative burden placed on exams managers/officers during the November examination series and the potential risks to the timely dispatch of examination scripts to the Department for Education, a further communication was sent to centres on 22 October which clarified the following:
- Centres entered for the DfE yellow label script collection service must arrange collections for the 3 November–11 December 2026 exam series
- Book Parcelforce collections online or via the exams helpdesk on 0344 561 7998
- Book at least 24 hours in advance and no more than 5 days before the required collection
- Enter 5 kg and medium parcel when booking; up to 10 tracking numbers can be recorded per booking
- Contact the helpdesk to arrange the collection of a large amount of packages or to amend, cancel or rearrange a collection; changes cannot be made online
- Prepare packages using the official dispatch guidance and have them ready at least 15 minutes before the collection slot
- Awarding organisations provide packaging and address labels; contact them if more stationery is needed
- Record package tracking numbers on the dispatch log, obtain the driver’s name and collection date, and retain the log as proof of collection
- Track packages using the Parcelforce tracking page
Colleagues at the DfE appreciate that exams managers/officers need to book collections more than 5 days in advance and noted the same issue will arise ahead of the January series. To address this, they are considering the possibility of the following for future exam series:
- Extending the booking window period
- The status of scheduled and ad hoc collections for all exam series
The NAEO would like to thank the DfE for listening to the concerns of exams managers/officers and addressing some of the issues raised by our members.
We will continue to liaise with the DfE to represent your interests and will provide further updates as soon as new information becomes available.