As the year draws to a close, we must consider the issues faced by the exams officer community during 2024 to set our objectives for the coming twelve months….and beyond.
The following key statistics taken from the 2024 Exams Officer Survey (which will be published in full in January) have helped to define our objectives:
- 19% of exams officers do not receive appropriate training and support to facilitate the effective delivery of examinations and assessments, and ensure compliance with the published JCQ regulations
- 27% of senior leaders/line managers do not possess a good working knowledge of the examination system
- 20% of exams officers do not feel well/actively supported and valued by their line manager/relevant senior leader in their centre? For example:
- They are not consulted when decisions are made regarding the management, administration and conducting of examinations
- Their line manager does not help to define their role in the support and administration of access arrangements
- Their line manager does not manage the situation when parents/candidates lodge a complaint, for example if a candidate has been entered for the incorrect examination (an entry has been made for the Foundation tier and not the Higher tier)
- 37% of heads of centres/senior leaders/line managers believe that the exams officer role is only required/busy when exams are taking place
- 31% of centres do not have adequate contingency in place in the event of the absence of their exams officer during a critical period (e.g. entry deadline(s), during an exam series, results day(s), etc.)
- 61% of centres do not have any succession planning in place/support for a new exams officer if their current exams officer were to decide to leave their role
- 41% of senior leaders with overall responsibility for examinations and assessments do not receive appropriate training and support to facilitate the effective delivery of examinations and assessments, and ensure compliance with the published JCQ regulations
- 37% of heads of centres/relevant members of the senior leadership team do not read/refer to/familiarise themselves with the entire contents of the relevant JCQ documents (particularly the General Regulations for Approved Centres, Instructions for conducting examinations, Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments)
This data suggests that in a significant number of centres (approximately 1 in 3), the integrity and security of the examination system is in need of improvement. The achievement of our objectives will support exams officers in all centres, however they will, in particular, help exams officers within those centres where there is doubt over the compliance with JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements.
The five areas listed below are those which the NAEO will focus upon to help raise the profile and status of the exams officer and protect the integrity and security of the examination system in every centre.
- A national job description and sample interview questions
The creation of a national exams officer job description, and sample interview questions, which accurately reflects the expectations of the role, will support centres in ensuring they attract and appoint the most appropriate person to serve as exams officer at their centre.
Many newly appointed exams officers state that the job description that they were presented with and the questions they were asked at their interview, do not reflect their role which they have undertaken. This may help to explain why so many exams officers leave their role, particularly after a short period in post.
- New exams officer induction
To require all new exams officers to complete a sector-wide and centre-based induction programme within their first exam cycle.
- An annual professional development and appraisal programme
To provide all exams officers with access to a quality annual professional development and appraisal programme.
This programme should be overseen by senior leaders/line managers who should utilise the Exams Officer Professional Standards to ensure that every exams officer – new and experienced – has an opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding, and confirm their commitment to upholding the values and attributes required to protect the examination system within their centre.
- Awarding body requirements
All awarding bodies to list the expectations/requirements of exams officers managing, administering and conducting examinations/assessments for their qualifications.
These requirements should be listed on their websites to help new exams officers, in particular, identify what is expected of them when administering qualifications across multiple awarding bodies.
Senior leaders/line managers and exams officers may also include these requirements within the knowledge and understanding element of an annual professional development programme.
- Support for exams officers within each centre
Each centre to appoint/nominate an individual to serve as the contingency measure in the event of the absence of their exams officer at a critical stage of the exam cycle and to support the exams officer during busy periods.
This individual will be required to undertake training to ensure that they are familiar with the requirements of the exams officer role and the annual updates/changes in regulations.
The NAEO will highlight these areas to colleagues within the Department for Education, Ofqual, JCQ and its awarding bodies to request their support in helping to ensure that our objectives are considered when setting policy and regulations.