Internal quality assurance

QUALITY TEAM

​An effective system ensures fair and reliable assessment decisions, free from bias or discrimination and takes into account learners' assessment needs

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​An effective system will also ensure that learners understand the assessment process

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​An effective system ensures that IQA is completed at least twice for each unit or module to cover both interim and summative assessment points

​The assessor is responsible for ensuring the assessment processes :

​Are free from discrimination

​Are consistent and transparent

​​Use evidence which is valid, sufficient and authentic

​Ensure that judgement of evidence is valid and reliable

​IQA's are responsible for checking that the arrangements are effective and comply with college and Awarding Organisation stipulations

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​Each course should have a named IQA who holds the appropriate qualifications set out by the Awarding Organisation and is occupationally competent

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​The IQA should carry out quality assurance activities in conjunction with Barnsley college policy and the Awarding Organisation requirements

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​If IQA's are part of a team they are verifying, then the work they assess must by quality assured by a different IQA

​IQA should be scheduled as appropriate throughout the year and include both formative and summative IQA

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Formative IQA enables the IQA and EQA to pick up problems at an early stage and also highlights individual assessor support or training needs

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​Formative and summative sampling follows an audit trail reviewing the quality of assessment decisions, by evaluating how the assessor has reached that decision

​For an existing qualification with experienced assessors the sample size should be 20-30% of the total cohort

​​For a new qualification, or new assessors the sample should be 50% of the cohort

​Small cohorts of 5 or less should have 100% sampled

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​Where issues arise from internal sampling, for example a high number of grades are changed, then the IQA should increase the sample size upto 100% for the next sample to ensure confidence in the assessment process

​In addition to factoring in percentage of cohort, sampling must take place across all grades. Pay particular attention to sampling where marks are close to grade boundaries.

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​Where a qualification runs across 2 sites

it is important that standardisation takes place

to ensure that all assessors and IQA's grade work

in a consistent reliable way.

​There are 3 stages of assessment where internal standardisation plays a vital role

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​The setting of assessments - including centre devised original assessments or modifying Awarding Organisation assessments

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​The production of evidence and expectations

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​Standardising centre staff assessment decisions

​This should be carried out before the assignment is issued to learners.

​The IQA should sign the brief to say they have verified the work and date when the activity took place.

​Thorough feedback should be given to the assessor regarding the assignment brief, see form IQA04 in the IQA policy on buzz .

​IQA must thoroughly document their decisions, use either the IQA05 or IQA06 forms found in the IQA policy on buzz.

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​Awarding organisation forms may be used if more suitable

​The IQA should feedback to assessors giving a clear timescale of when any actions need to be completed.

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​IQA07 form found in the IQA policy on buzz should be used to record standardisation meetings.

​Internal standardisation is a requirement of all Awarding Organisations and is critical to securing certification for learners

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​​Standardisation must address any actions or recommendations included in the EQA/SV or moderator reports and also feed back on good practise

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​Regular standardisation meetings should be used as an opportunity to cascade and share good assessment practice

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​Standardisation meetings must be recorded using either IQA07 and IQA08 or a similar form provided by the Awarding Organisation. Evidence of standardisation will be required by all EQA's

​Sample assessments to confirm assessors’ judgements.

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• Make sure that all assessment decisions are fair, valid and reliable.

• Make sure thorough feedback is given to all centre assessors on both what they have done well and how to improve their assessment feedback and that this is documented and stored in the Quality Folders

• Suggest ways in which assessment may be brought into line to meet the required standards.

• Check that all units or modules have been included in internal standardisation.​

• Maintain assessment and standardisation documentation and records.

• Liaise with the QM to contact and prepare for the External Quality Assurer (EQ

• ​Ensure previous EQA reports are revisited and any actions or recommendations are carried out in a timely manner

​Organise and record regular standardisation meetings, activities and events for the assessors.

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• Identify assessor development needs and CPD opportunities.

• Act as arbitrator for any disagreements in outcomes of assessments, including appeals.

• Communicate to the team the Awarding Organisation requirements for storage and archiving of assessed work and assessment records, and ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to meet those requirements.