We’d like to share with you some information following recent correspondence with the Department for Education (DfE). This information is in relation to qualifications on the published list of approved qualifications for key stage 4 and key stage 5.
2018 Performance Tables
Tech Levels and Applied General Qualifications
Current guidance from the DfE states that learners are allowed a maximum of two attempts in the external assessments for Tech Levels and Applied Generals. These attempts are currently provided by NCFE and CACHE as one attempt at the external assessment and one resit opportunity, if necessary.
On 19 January 2018, the DfE released the following update to the guidance which relates to learners completing key stage 5 in summer 2018:
'Ministers have decided that students who are due to complete key stage 5 in summer 2018 and are taking Tech Levels or Applied General qualifications on the 2018 list should be given an additional opportunity to retake their external assessment(s). It has become apparent that some providers may not have fully understood the more challenging nature of the reformed qualifications when students were enrolled, and the additional retake opportunity is designed to mitigate the impact of this.'
What does this mean?
For clarification, the NCFE and CACHE qualifications affected are:
- NCFE Level 3 Applied General in Music Technology (601/6779/8)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education (601/8436/X)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) (601/8437/1)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator) (601/8438/3)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care (601/8434/6)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (601/8435/8)
Only learners who are due to complete key stage 5 in summer 2018 will be eligible for the additional (third) attempt, if necessary.
The information about assessment windows for the 2017 – 18 session for NCFE qualifications can be found here. The information about assessment windows for the 2017-18 session for CACHE qualifications can be found here. The information for assessment windows for the 2018 – 19 will be released later in the year.
2019 Performance Tables
The guidance for the 2019 key stage 4 and key stage 5 Performance Tables remains the same. The NCFE and CACHE qualifications which are are on the published list of approved qualifications for the 2019 Performance Tables can be found in this document.
2020 Performance Tables
The date of the first published list of approved qualifications for inclusion in the 2020 Performance Tables was expected at the end of January 2018. In our most recent dialogue with the DfE, we’ve been advised that there will be an approximate 2 week delay to the publication of this list.
During further conversations with the DfE, we’ve been informed that the second submission window for the 2020 Performance Tables has also been delayed until 16 March 2018. This means that the expected update to the published list of approved qualifications for this second window will be mid-June 2018.
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Expected feedback dates |
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Submission window
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Previous date
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New date
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1 December 2017
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End of January 2018
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Mid-February 2018 (approx.)
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16 March (previously 16th February) 2018
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End of April 2018
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Mid-June 2018 (approx.)
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2021 Performance Tables
We’ve previously communicated some information via our website relating to the Performance Tables beyond 2020.
It’s the DfE’s intention to suspend the approval processes for technical education after the current process for approval for the 2020 Performance Tables has concluded.
The DfE has said:
'We will keep the list of approved qualifications under review and, if any are found not to meet our requirements, they may be removed from Performance Tables. We anticipate that the moratorium will last for a minimum of two years, during which time the Department will continue to engage with awarding organisations.'
We’re committed to keeping you up to date with any future information released by the DfE that will have an impact on the delivery and assessment of our qualifications. We’ll let you know of any changes as soon as we can so you can reflect this in your planning.
