Welcome to the February 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
This month brings information on preparing for the BTEC Quality Assurance process, how to become a member of the PE and Sport facebook group, development for the HNCs in Sport and S&ES suite, as well as upcoming dates and deadlines, resources, and delivery support to prepare for this term.
To view the latest updates for your qualification, just click the section that matches what you teach.
BTEC Tech Award in Sport (2022) and BTEC Nationals in Sport and S&ES
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 21 February | Entry deadline for May/June internal and external assessment entries. Late fees will apply to all entries after this date* |
| 18 March | Restricted release of results to centres (Jan series) |
| 19 March | Release of results to learners (Jan series) |
| 19 March- 16 April | Late certification window (self-serve via Edexcel Online) Window for Review of Marking or Moderation (RoMMs) for internal and external assessments |
GCSE and GCE PE
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 21 February | Entry deadline for Summer 2026. Late fees will apply to all entries after this date |
| Mid February | Moderators will begin contacting centresrequesting the Initial Contact Questionnaire (ICQ) form to commence the moderation process |
| 1 March - 5 May | Moderation window. Centres must ensure all final total marks are submitted on EdexcelOnline and PE2MS for each candidate in the cohort 15 days prior to moderation day. A selection of sampled candidates by the moderator will be confirmed between 7 and 10 days prior to moderation day |
BTEC Quality Assurance
The VQAM (Vocational Quality Assurance Managers) team continues to offer support toy our quality nominee and lead IV colleagues through a range of online events and on-demand CPD.
Quality Assurance - Events and Support | Pearson qualifications
Standards verification is about to launch for the BTEC Firsts and BTEC Nationals, so please look out for the introductory emails from your standards verifiers. You can access all the information you need about the process in the Centre Guide to Standards Verification.
Guide to Standards Verification
Remember, if you have got any questions about quality assurance, you can book a one-to-one Teams meeting with your VQAM for dedicated personal support.
From the January 2026 series, we’ll be asking you to submit a slightly larger sample size for moderation in BTEC Tech Awards.
From June 2026, this approach will also apply to GCSE, A level and Entry Level Certificate qualifications.
This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
Looking further ahead
We are developing an updated Higher National Sport and Sport and Exercise Science suite, featuring:
to reflect the latest changes and emerging trends in the sector.
As ever, our goal is to make sure these updated qualifications will continue to meet industry needs and support students progressing to employment or further study. Keep an eye out for more news in the coming months
Do you teach GCSE PE, A level PE, BTEC Tech Award in Sport or BTEC Nationals in Sport?
Then this group was made for you. It’s a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
Pearson has partnered with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent (e.g. those who are autistic/have ADHD) students answer GCSE exam questions
We hope this will allow us to make our exams more accessible for all students.
We would be very grateful if centres would consider taking part in the next phase of this very important project.
UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE)
| Date | GCSE and A PE |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2026 | Deadline for entries - late entry fees after this date (international centre entry deadline is 21 March) |
| Mid February | Moderators contact centres |
| 1 March 2026 | Start of moderator visits |
| 1 March-5 May | Submission of centre marks and moderation samples |
| 5 May 2026 | End of moderation window |
| 13 August 2026 | A Level Results day |
| 20 August 2026 | GCSE Results day |
Special consideration for GCSE PE – Component 3
For Practical Performance, if the centre has formally assessed the candidate(s) and awarded the mark during the course of study it is not required for candidate(s) to apply for special consideration. You must inform the moderator that you have formally assessed the learner in all activities, and is now injured and cannot be part of the sample. You should then submit the marks in exactly the same way as you do for every other learner.
However, if the candidate(s) has never been formally assessed in one or more activity during the whole course of study, then they should apply for special consideration.
If the candidate(s) has failed to participate in an assessment/examination without valid reason, it is expected that they will be awarded the mark of absent and special consideration cannot be requested.
For further guidance see page 28 in the Instructions for the Conduct of NEA
Instructions for the Conduct of Non Examined Assessment (NEA) - Summer 2026
Centres will need to fill in two forms:
• JCQ’s Form 10
• Pearson’s Form 10 (for practical performance)
Applications for special consideration along with the appropriate documentation, such as a medical certificate, should be sent to uk.special.requirements@ pearson.com
I am delighted to announce that there are a few new exemplars for Component 4: PEP, including new exemplars on swimming, handball, athletics, gaelic footbal, netball, trampolining, climbing and netball
Check out our free on demand recorded training courses GCSE and A Level PE
We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26. While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when.
| May/June Series | BTEC Tech Award in Sport |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2025 | PSA release for Component 1 and Component 2 for Summer 2026 |
| 1 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| 21 February 2026 | Deadline for entries for summer 2026 series - late entry fees after this date |
| 13 April 2026 | Learner Work Transfer (LWT) available |
| 7 May 2026 | Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants Performance in Sport - exam (BSP03/01) |
| 15 May 2026 | Deadline to upload Component 1 and/or Component 2 work on LWT |
| 26 June 2022 | Deadline for amending marks following moderator feedback where necessary for internal assessments (optional) |
| 14 August 2026 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 20 August 2026 | Release of results to learners |
| May/June Series | BTEC L3 Nationals |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| 15 May 2026 | Deadline for Standards Verification sampling |
| 15 June 2026 | Deadline for Standards Verification additional sampling (if applicable) |
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to submit results for certification on August results days |
| 5 August 2026 | Restricted release of results to centres |
| 13 August 2026 | Release of results to learners |
| May/June Series | BTEC International |
|---|---|
| within 60 days of enrolment at the centre | Deadline for registrations - late registration fees after this date |
| June 2025 | Release of Pearson-set Assignments (PSA) - valid for 1 year after publish date |
| 5 July 2026 | Deadline to submit results for certification on August results days (ie. for learners applying to HEIs via UCAS) |
| Immediately after completion | Deadline to submit results for certification for non-UK-academic year programmes |
| May/June Series | BTEC Higher Nationals |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2025 | Deadline for registrations |
| November 2025 | Allocation of External Examiner (EE) |
| November 2025 - February 2026 |
Contact made with your EE |
| November 2025 - March 2026 |
Two assignment briefs sent to your EE for review |
| May - July 2026 | External Examination sampling - completed by 30 July |
| August 2026 | Students receive qualification |
On 20 October the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students. Pearson want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.
Most importantly, you should continue to register your learners and deliver your programmes as planned for 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.
As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.
Stay up to date with the latest news for BTEC qualifications.
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