Gordon Associates cordially invite you to AO-Forum 2023 on Thursday 27 April 2023 - an invaluable opportunity to see how others are running their AO operations and hear the latest from the regulators.
09.00-09.30
Registration, Tea and Coffee
09.50
WELCOME
Ben Smith, AO-Forum Chairman
10.00-10.45
Closing The Loop: Following The Evidence Trail
View More Details..In this session Sarah will discuss where awarding organisations can make improvements in operational practice in a very practical sense: taking Ofqual's maxim "Show us evidence, not promises".
Starting at policy-level, we will look at what, where and how valid evidence should be created, retrieved and used to satisfy regulatory scrutiny; the importance of useable accessible processes for daily operations, plus the wraparound details which can provide confidence in an organisation's likelihood of compliance (be that generally, thematically or through specific investigation).
As it is spring, this is an opportunity for some spring cleaning for established AOs; and for those recently recognised, a chance to check their emerging approach to some best practice. Sarah's reflections are based on her experiences providing guidance and support on regulatory compliance to nearly 30 organisations in the last four years.
Sarah Edmonds, Founder & Director, Artemis Associates
10.45-11.30
DfE - Update On Level 3 Qualification Reforms
View More Details..Janet and Sue will give an update on the implementation of the review of post 16 qualifications at level 3 and below in England. This will include an overview of the progress of the review, both at level 3 and level 2 and below, and focus on the new funding approval criteria for level 3 alternative academic qualifications and technical qualifications which are part of the first cycle of new funding approval and will be available for 2025 to 2026.
Janet Ryland, Qualifications Funding Approval Team and Sue Clarke, Level 3 Reform Team, Department for Education
11.30-11.50
BREAK for refreshments
11.50-12.40
Ofqual's Regulatory Approach and Priorities
View More Details..Hear about Ofqual's regulatory approach and priorities including what these mean for end-point assessments and successful delivery of vocational and technical qualifications and results.
Claire McCann, Associate Director Awarding Organisations Engagement, Ofqual
12.40-13.40
LUNCH
13.40-14.20
Developing a Simpler Skills System - IfATE's role in reforming technical qualifications to meet employer needs
View More Details..The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is an employer led organisation, it approves occupational standards developed by employers and technical qualifications which are centred around these standards. IfATE plays a central role in skills reform and will provide an update on the rollout of T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications and the preparations for approving post 16 qualifications at Level 3 and below.
Carmel Grant, Deputy Director IfATE
14.20-15.00
Running An Awarding Organisation - Can We Keep Everyone Happy? Should We Even Be Trying?
View More Details..Vida and Fiona will draw on their experience and expertise of running an AO to share some of the challenges they face including dealing with multiple stakeholders, often with conflicting priorities and needs, in an ever-changing external policy environment; how they decide who needs to be kept happy (or not) and how they try to achieve that (or not).
Vida Stewart (CEO) and Fiona Summers (Deputy CEO) Laser Learning Awards
15.00-15.20
Forward Thinking: The Transformation of Print for Education
View More Details..In this session we will investigate the digital future of personalised exams and certificates. We will delve into the latest trends in digital printing on-demand, analyse how our new remote working environments are affecting certificate production, and discuss the impact of new technology and how they may shape the future of paper-based examinations
Tim Cammack, MD, Secure & Confidential Documents
15.20-15.30
Q&A Session
15.30
CLOSING
Ben Smith, AO-Forum Chairman
Venue
Woburn House
Address
20-24 Tavistock Stock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ
Nearest Tube
Euston or Kings Cross
Website
www.woburnhouse.co.uk