February subject advisor's update
The February update from your Subject Advisor
Welcome to the February update. I can't quite believe it's February already. This update has clear information about the level 3 reforms and some useful dates to take note of about the BTEC Nationals. Information about the Tech Awards and getting ready to upload your sample.
Provisional Timetable for Winter and Summer 2025
We will be publishing our provisional timetables for Summer 2025 on Monday 22nd January as agreed by JCQ and all other awarding bodies.
They can be found on our Provisional timetables web page.
Consultation window will run from Monday 22nd January to Friday 23rd February. Please send any feedback you may have to Timetables@Pearson.com
Learner Work Transfer Feedback
As users of our Learner Work Transfer platform, we would like to hear from you about your experiences with the system. The outcomes of this survey will help us to continue to introduce improvements, making it easier for you to upload and monitor learner work in future series.The survey is anonymous but there is the opportunity to leave contact details to provide more in depth feedback if you so wish.
JCQ Updated AI Guidance
On 2 February the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) published their updated JCQ guidance on AI Use in Assessments.
The guidance is designed to help students and teachers to complete NEAs, coursework and other internal assessments successfully, giving students the chance to demonstrate skills which cannot be assessed in exams.
Please do share the latest version of the guidance with senior leaders, teachers and assessors in your school or college. It’s vital the guidance informs school policies on AI use, and schools and colleges provide staff and students with clear information.
A summary of the key updates is available on the JCQ website. They've also produced a poster for students on the use of AI and assessments and an information sheet for teachers along with PowerPoint presentations for teachers and students.
Read all the information on JCQ blog and download the updated guidance and support materials.
Level 3 Reforms
The post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications landscape in England is undergoing major reform.The information below provides you with an overview of these reforms, and what we know so far about what they will mean for you and your post-16 level 3 vocational curriculum.You will also find information which will support and guide you through this vocational qualification reform.
BTEC National in Children's Play, Learning and Development
The BTEC Nationals in CPLD will not be funded for September 2024. You will either need to teach the T-Level or 3 A-Levels, one of which can be the new AAQ.
BTEC National Early Childhood Development (AAQ)
The new BTEC National Early Childhood Development (AAQ) can be taught from September 2025. You can see the draft specifcation and start to plan how you might deliver this.
BTEC Tech Award Child Development
The PSA was released in January and should be completed and ready for upload to the Learner Work Transfer by 1 May 2024. You can see how to see your Moderation sample and upload your sample using LWT on the Support Index. It has all the information you and your Exams Officer needs to get your sample ready.