Sources of Pre-Existing Evidence
📅 April 11, 2021
•⏱️3 min read
Source of evidence: Evidence set, supervised and/or marked by a tutor or organisation with whom the centre has an established relationship. Example
This might apply, for example, where the candidate has studied with a distance learning provider which has established links with the exam centre accepting the entry - or where the centre has appointed a specialist tutor to work with the student.
Guidance for centres accepting private candidates In this case the centre may accept the evidence and grading judgement of the third party, provided it has no grounds for concern about authenticity. Alternatively, the centre may accept the evidence and make its own grading decision, for example where other assessments are also being taken. The evidence and grade should still be subject to internal quality assurance checks to ensure, for example, that all of the necessary documentation has been completed.
Evidence set, supervised and/ or marked by an educational organisation recognised by an appropriate independent authority, for example LEA, DfE, Ofsted, an awarding organisation.
This might apply, for example, where a student has completed some work with one of the following:
• distance learning provider • another approved exam centre • community language centre • hospital or prison education service • performing arts organisation • Pupil referral unit
This may also apply to students who have moved schools or colleges during the course of study.
In this case the centre may accept the evidence and grading judgements of the third party provided it has no grounds for concern about authenticity. The centre will want to have gain assurances from the person responsible for the student’s assessment that the approach taken meets the awarding organisation requirements. Alternatively, the centre may accept the evidence and make its own grading decision, for example where other assessments are also being taken. The evidence and grade should still be subject to internal quality assurance checks to ensure, for example, that all of the necessary documentation has been completed.
Evidence set, supervised and/or marked by a private tutor with whom the centre has no established relationship.
This might apply, for example, where a student has completed some assessments with a private tutor, arranged independently by the student or their parents.
Exceptionally, in cases where the student does not have sufficient other pre-existing evidence, the centre may accept evidence generated with a private tutor but should always validate the student’s performance by setting at least one other assessment under centre supervision. If there is a marked difference in performance, the student should be asked to complete further assessments in order to establish the student’s performance standard.
The final grading decision should be taken by the centre on the basis of the full range of available evidence. The evidence and grade should be subject to internal quality assurance checks. Evidence produced with a tutor should not be accepted where the centre has taught the student that subject.
Evidence set, supervised and/or marked by the student’s parent or produced independently by the student.
This might apply where a student has studied completely independently or with only parental support and supervision. This category does not include evidence that has been set and marked by another education provider, and produced under parental supervision at their request (e.g. students remote learning during lockdown).
Evidence in this category should not be accepted due to the potential conflict of interest. In this case the centre should develop a range of evidence based on assessments drawn from awarding organisation materials, or centre devised materials.
Some centres may prefer not to accept pre-existing evidence and instead to set new assessments on which the grade will be based. Some centres may also offer the candidate a choice of approaches. This is at the discretion of the centre, provided that students are informed of this in advance so that they can make an informed choice when selecting a centre.