In recent years, JCQ regulations have been revised to clarify the role and responsibilities of senior leaders/line managers in relation to the oversight/management of examinations/assessments within their centre.
Greater clarity has also been provided in relation to how an exams officer should be line managed by a senior leader/line manager.
JCQ regulations expect the following from senior leaders/line managers:
- To receive appropriate training and support to facilitate the effective delivery of examinations and assessments within the centre, and ensure compliance with the published JCQ and awarding body regulations
- To familiarise themselves with relevant awarding body and JCQ documentation
- To provide support for the examinations officer and the SENCo as well as ensuring effective centre decision making in line with the published regulations
- To have a good working knowledge of the examination system to provide effective line management support and supervision of the examinations officer to ensure that the integrity and security of examinations and assessments is maintained throughout an examination series
Every exams officer should expect a level of support and supervision from their senior leaser/line manager to enable them to perform their role effectively, efficiently and in line with JCQ regulations.
Support
An exams officer should meet regularly with their senior leader/line manager to discuss the support they require to meet the expectations and tasks which need to be completed at centre level. This support should also ensure that all deadlines are met and that the highest levels of integrity and security are in place in the management, administration and conducting of examinations/assessments.
Exams officers should expect support in the following areas:
- Decision making when answering queries, providing clarity and resolving issues
- Access to support and training, including attendance at relevant network meetings, training events, conferences and online webinars
- Being provided with time to familiarise themselves with JCQ and awarding body regulations and stakeholder updates
- Access to a professional development programme with targets based upon personal and centre requirements. There should also be a focus upon developing the skills required to undertake the exams officer role
Supervision
The level of supervision which an exams officer requires from their senior leader/line manager will depend upon a number of factors, including their level of experience. However, as an example, the following methods could be deployed to effectively supervise an exams officer to enable them to perform their role:
- Conducting a performance management programme which focuses upon personal and centre development culminating in an annual appraisal
- Arranging a schedule of meetings throughout the academic year to report on/review key tasks and deadlines
- Using the Checklist for senior leaders/line managers to ensure that all staff involved in the management, administration and conducting of examinations are completing the tasks for which they are responsible within the exam cycle
- Referring to the Senior Leader/Line Manager Exam Support website to ensure that all areas which require the involvement of the senior leader/line manager are addressed