T: 0333 7000 755

E: training@theexamsoffice.com

New Exams Officer Training

A two-part training programme designed for new exams officers and those exams officers requiring a refresher course. This training is also relevant for senior leaders/line managers who need to acquire a good working knowledge of the examination system

Exams Training, in conjunction with OCR, deliver two courses during each academic year which are designed specifically for new exams officers Actions for Autumn and Spring into Summer.

New exams officers are strongly encouraged to attend both courses.

These are suitable for new exams officers, exams assistants or those requiring a ‘refresher course’. The primary focus of this training is General Qualifications (GCSE/GCE), although the good practice, hints and tips apply to all qualifications.

These courses provide a step-by-guide to the key tasks which you will need to undertake in your new role (see below for a more detailed agenda/content).

All courses contain a range of table-based activities to aid understanding, share good practice and network with colleagues.

Subject matter experts from The Exams Office, in conjunction with OCR Customer Support staff, are responsible for course content and delivery. They have experience as exams officers, members of SLT, devising and delivering DfE exams policies and initiatives, leading government exams support field teams, and creating good practice exam guides which are followed by more than 5000 schools/colleges. They will be available throughout the day to answer your questions.

All events start at 09:00 (registration from 08:30) and finish by 16:00

 

Delegate information - Q&As and video footage

Please download the questions and answers from the Actions for Autumn 2024 training taking across all venues:

Video footage of the Manchester Actions for Autumn event is available within The Exams Office Hub under the Training videos section.

 

New Exams Officers – Spring into Summer 2025

  • Location

    Date

    Venue

    Bookings

  • Bristol

    24 February 2025

    The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF

    Click to book

  • Coventry

    28 February 2025

    Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, CV6 6GE

    Click to book

  • Manchester

    03 March 2025

    Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, M16 0PX

    Click to book

  • Leeds

    04 March 2025

    Venue TBC

    Click to book

  • London

    10 March 2025

    Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS

    Click to book

For more details please email training@theexamsoffice.com

Cost

Members of The Exams Office and OCR centres can access the following delegate discount:

  • Delegate rate – £245 per delegate (discounted from £295)

Prices are exclusive of VAT.

This is a full day event with refreshments and lunch included.

Online training: All members of The Exams Office will have free access to a studio-filmed version of the Actions for Autumn training as part of their membership. These videos will also be made available to all delegates after the final event has been delivered. This includes delegates who cancel within 28 days of the event or fail to attend on the day. These delegates will also receive course materials, but will not receive a refund/credit for a future event.

Refunds cannot be given if a cancellation is made within 28 days of the event, however, course materials will be sent to delegates. For further information on our cancellation policy/refund process, please see our terms and conditions.

New Exams Officers – Spring into Summer 2025

Course content (illustrative only and subject to change):

Getting ready for the summer exam series

The Exams Cycle

  • What is the ‘Exams Cycle’ and why/how to follow it

The Exams Community

  • Internal and external support for exams officers

Update – exams and qualifications changes (if applicable)

  • An explanation of exam and qualification changes impacting upon exams officers

Entries

  • Actions following exam entries
  • Checking awarding body feedback following entries

Access arrangements

  • What are access arrangements and reasonable adjustments?
  • Centre and JCQ approved access arrangements
  • JCQ deadlines for applications
  • The role of an exams officer in managing access arrangements
  • Managing emergency access arrangements
  • Next steps upon returning to your centre

Assessments/Internal assessment

  • Different types of assessment
  • The process for managing internal assessments in your centre

Timetabling

  • Creating student and centre exam timetables
  • JCQ regulations
  • Centre supervision
  • Managing timetable variations

Rooming

  • Ensuring adequate and appropriate rooming for exams within your centre

Seating plans

  • Creating effective seating plans

Storing confidential exam materials

  • JCQ requirements
  • Hints and tips on storing confidential exam materials

Exam briefings/guidance for candidates, staff and parents

  • Key information to relate to candidates, staff and parents to ensure an effective exam series

Preparing your invigilators

  • JCQ requirements
  • Areas to cover when training invigilators

The exam day

  • Preparing for the exam
  • At the beginning of the exam
  • During the exam
  • At the end of the exam
  • After the exam
  • Setting up the exam room
  • Candidate equipment
  • Contingency planning and risk assessment
  • Dealing with late arrivals
  • Dealing with very late arrivals
  • Dealing with malpractice
  • Dealing with emergencies
  • What is ‘special consideration’?

The JCQ centre inspection

  • Types of inspection
  • Areas inspected
  • Hints and tips on preparing for a JCQ centre inspection

Packing and dispatching scripts

  • A step-by-step guide on how to pack exam scripts
  • What is the Parcelforce ‘yellow label’ service?
  • A step-by-step guide to dispatching your exam scripts
  • Examples of good/poor packing and labelling

Cost

  • £245 – one delegate for members of The Exams Office and OCR centres (non-discounted price £295)

Prices are exclusive of VAT.

This is a full day event with refreshments and lunch included.

Refunds cannot be given if a cancellation is made within 28 days of the event, however, course materials will be sent to delegates. For further information on our cancellation policy/refund process, please see our terms and conditions