Codes of practice
Last updated on: 12/03/2008
The regulators produce codes of practice that supplement the requirements of the Statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2004 by specifying the additional quality assurance and control requirements that apply to different qualifications.
The codes lay down agreed principles, processes and practices that must be followed by the awarding bodies developing and delivering these accredited qualifications.
The regulators work with the awarding bodies to make sure that the different codes are clear, precise and practical.
The codes ensure that all candidates get a fair deal, irrespective of the qualification they are taking, the awarding body that is delivering the qualification, or when they are assessed. By providing a basis for high standards in all aspects of the examining process, the codes make an important contribution to maintaining public confidence in these qualifications.
GCSE, GCE and AEA Code of practice - April 2008
The April 2008 version of the Code of practice replaced the April 2007 version on Tuesday 15 April 2008.
The code promotes quality, consistency, accuracy and fairness in assessment and awarding. It helps to maintain standards, both within and between awarding bodies and from year to year.
The code lays down agreed principles, processes and practices to be adhered to by the awarding bodies that develop and deliver these accredited qualifications: AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC. It builds on “The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2004)”, which sets out the principles of regulation and the criteria for accrediting awarding bodies and qualifications.
The code is produced by Ofqual for England in conjunction with the regulators for Wales and Northern Ireland. They review the code annually to ensure that it remains up to date and fit for purpose.
Changes may be made as a result of:
- awarding bodies' experiences of putting the code into practice
- evidence from Ofqual's and the other two regulators' monitoring activities
- outcomes of research on assessment and awarding
- the continuing development of e-assessment and e-marking technology
- changes in legislation.
Ofqual and the regulators work with the awarding bodies to make sure that the code is clear, precise and practical.
The code ensures that all candidates get a fair deal, irrespective of the qualification they are taking, the awarding body that is delivering the qualification, or when they are assessed. By providing a basis for high standards in all aspects of the examining process it makes an important contribution to maintaining public confidence in these qualifications.
NVQ code of practice 2006
The NVQ code of practice sets out the responsibilities for NVQ awarding bodies and their approved centres for the administration, assessment and verification of NVQs and NVQ units.
The NVQ code of practice 2006 updates the 2001 version of this publication. The requirements in the code have not changed, but the content has been reorganised to make the code easier to navigate and use. This updated version should be implemented as soon as is practicable. Awarding bodies should make sure that any references to the NVQ code of practice clearly refer to either the 2001 or 2006 version to indicate which has been used.
The code of practice is primarily for use by awarding bodies. However, approved centres need to know the code of practice and understand the regulations. This publication should be used in conjunction with
The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2004
You can order a copy of the NVQ code of practice 2006 from the publications page of this website (quoting publication reference QCA/06/2888).
If you have any queries about the NVQ code of practice 2006, please email info@ofqual.gov.uk
National curriculum assessment code of practice
This code of practice, together with the National curriculum assessments regulatory framework (QCA/06/2827), provides the criteria and identifies the processes that we will apply to the regulation of national curriculum assessments in England. It specifies the procedures and processes needed to ensure high quality, consistency and rigorous standards in national curriculum assessments. It also provides stakeholders with a clear description of Ofqual's regulation of national curriculum assessments.