TrailblazersEnsuring Independence in Assessment

The Future of Apprenticeships in England

‘It is vital that all apprentices are assessed in a fair and objective manner. Independence and

impartiality are critical to ensure quality assessment and to ensure the standard is

maintained over time.’

Independence and impartiality

Be clear about what independence looks likeGood assessment criteria:

• allow judgements to be open, transparent and consistent

• provide benchmarks to ensure consistency of judgements over time

Ways to achieve independence

• Work with an independent third-party assessment body

• Include an independent representative on the panel for assessment

• External moderation of assessment, by assessment experts or other employers

Third-party assessment body

• Third party takes on the responsibility

• Experience and expertise in assessment

• Standardisation

• Externalises costs

Independent representative• What does the role consist of?

• What expertise would the person have:assessment expertise technical competenceprofessional knowledge?

• How would they be ‘paid’?

• How would they be chosen?

Assessment by a panel

• Balance of skills and expertise

• Weighting of decisions taken by each person

• Disagreements

• ‘No party involved in delivery can make the sole decision on competence’

• Costs

How would the panel work?

• Professional interview and discussion?

• Would members assess different aspects?

• Has the apprentice experience been considered?

External moderation

• Looks at:

application of standards by assessorsconsistency of judgements

• Can establish whether assessment decisions are being made impartially and are consistent over time

• Cost, expertise, training and recruitment

Getting it right

• What independence means in a particular industry

• Clear guidelines on assessment standards• Training for all

• Communications strategy

Further advice and guidance

• Contact SQA’s Trailblazer team:Telephone: 0303 333 0330E-mail: ukskills@sqa.org.ukwww.sqa.org.uk/trailblazers