A new set of principles will support understanding of Ofqual's
expectations for awarding organisations, its Chief Regulator has
said.
Today Ofqual launches a consultation on a proposed update to its
General Conditions of Recognition (GCR), which it says will help
awarding organisations make decisions and respond to new or
unexpected challenges.
The update consists of 6 principles which the regulator expects
awarding organisations to uphold.
Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications in England, says the
proposed changes would provide additional clarity for awarding
organisations and ensure its rules remain effective, both now and
in the future.
Ofqual Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham said: “These principles
will play an important role in helping Ofqual secure standards
and public confidence in qualifications.
“While the principles are new, the concepts and expectations they
articulate already underpin our rules.
“They will provide additional support to help awarding
organisations' decision-making and can apply at both strategic
and operational levels.”
The proposed new Principles Condition for the GCR sets out 6
overarching principles. They state an awarding organisation must:
-
act with honesty and integrity
-
treat learners fairly by acting and taking decisions with due
impartiality and based on appropriate evidence
-
ensure that each qualification that it makes available, or
proposes to make available is, and continues to be, fit for
the purposes for which it is intended
-
act in a way that maintains and, where possible, promotes
public confidence in qualifications
-
act in an open, transparent and co-operative manner with
Ofqual and, as appropriate, with users of
qualifications
-
conduct its activities with a proactive approach to
compliance with its Conditions of Recognition
Ofqual-accredited awarding organisations are legally bound by the
GCR and the proposed changes would also introduce statutory
guidance to support the new principles.
For more details, including how to take part in the consultation,
see our document Introducing principles
into the General Conditions of Recognition.
The consultation is open until 12 February.
