Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is the process of ensuring that training delivery and assessment practice is monitored in order to ensure that they meet or exceed national standards. At the Berkeleyme we operate a robust internal quality assurance system, to maintain the consistency and accuracy of assessments and ensure continual development of our working practices, resources, processes and procedures. This supports our aim to encourage and enable knowledge gathering and realise achievement through quality delivery.
A) Purpose
To meet and exceed the requirements placed upon us by;
• Other awarding bodies;
• Our students;
To support all employees to have excellent working practices, through provision of formative training, supervision, observation and sampling processes.
To develop and maintain internal and external associations based on quality, belief and integrity. And so to encourage and uphold quality in all that we do.
B) Scope
All employees, tutors and students; Internal Quality Assurance of any work practices, documents and evidence that impact on the delivery, examination and assessment of qualifications and training supplied by the Berkeleyme.
C) Roles and Responsibilities
Our Center Manager is responsible for ensuring that;
• The quality requirements of awarding bodies are met in the delivery and assessment of qualifications;
• IQA policies and procedures are sufficient, regularly reviewed and known, understood and implemented by all;
• All employees and tutors involved in the processes of delivery of services are appropriately trained and qualified through provision of rigorous recruitment processes, induction training and continual development;
• All employees and tutors involved in IQA processes are appropriately trained and qualified through provision of rigorous recruitment processes, induction training and continual development.
Employees and tutors involved in induction of students are responsible for ensuring:
• Checking the identity of the student;
• All paperwork is fully and accurately completed;
• That students are inducted into their chosen programme in a way that meets their needs. Tutors are responsible for ensuring that:
• Candidates/learners are aware of;
• The different types of evidence that they can collect to prove competence of knowledge and working practices;
• Their responsibilities in the collection, authentication and presentation of evidence;
• The candidates/learners are fully supported throughout the term of their qualification. This should include:
• Assessing the persons learning style and discussing their preferred ways of learning
• Effective management evidence gathering, assessment and attainment
• Agreeing and recording assessment and visit plans for each person
• Completing regular reviews with the person and their employer to review progress and agree new targets
• Providing the person with prompt, accurate, formative and summative feedback.
• Demonstration of anti‐discriminatory practice and equal opportunities
• Maintenance of confidentiality and compliance with the Data Protection Act.
• They observe learners’ performance through formative assessment and/or in simulated situations, and/or conduct other forms of assessment in accordance with the qualification and unit standards and requirements of the QCF and the accrediting university. Such as;
• ensuring validity, authenticity, currency and sufficiency of evidence
• maintaining appropriate, accurate and verifiable records0
• confirming that learners have demonstrated competence/knowledge and have completed the required documentation
D) Internal Quality Assurers
Internal Quality assurers are responsible for:
• Ensuring that they lead, advise and support the tutors allocated to them through;
• Ensuring adherence to the principles of assessment and guidance provided by the centre;
• Providing guidance on the interpretation and application of assessment criteria correctly and consistently applied;
• Observation and supply of formative feedback on working practices;
• Sampling of assessment activities such as assessment decisions, formative feedback supplied, completion of portfolio documents, student evaluation forms, etc;
• Ensuring assessors have opportunities for updating and developing their vocational and professional competence;
• Carrying out a quality audit of the documentation used within and format of the training courses;
• Supporting, countersigning, dating assessments and quality assuring judgements by assessors and Internal Quality Assurers not holding the appropriate assessor/Internal Quality
Assurer qualifications as approved and specified by the Regulatory Authorities.
• Supporting the Berkeleyme to meet its goals by;
• Undertaking an active role in raising issues of good practice in assessment;
• Ensuring that equal opportunities and anti‐discriminatory practices are upheld in the assessment process;
• Liaising with other IQAs and the External Quality Assurer to implement the requirements of the assessment system;
• Ensuring that all Learners’ achievement records and Centre documentation are completed in accordance with requirements;
• Attending regular IQA meetings.
E) Policy Implementation – Procedures
The IQA policy must be applied to every programme with work that is internally assessed and which contributes to the final assessment outcome of a student.
Tutors and Internal Quality Assurers will be given sufficient time, resources and authority to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively.
Qualifications
Only appropriately qualified and experienced tutors must carry out un-supported assessment. All tutors must have significant experience in the sector of the qualification
Appropriately qualified staff must carry out all internal quality assurance. Sampling
All IQAs must follow the sampling plan developed and maintained by the Center Manager.
Sampling must be across all tutors, all types of evidence and all students, including plans, reviews and records in addition to student evidence.
Frequency of assessment will be decided following a risk assessment of the assessor, looking at experience and competence, but to meet the requirements of the accrediting university, other awarding bodies and our partners all portfolios will be quality assured the IQA will at the minimum sample at least one piece of evidence for each component of the qualification.
IQA must be carried out continuously throughout the year.
F) Observations
All tutors will have at least one observation per year by their allocated IQA IQA observation should include;
• Sight of Learning Plan
• Agreement of objectives for the meeting/visit/session
• Student performance and stretching
• Embedding of Functional Skills, Safeguarding and Equality & Diversity
• Questioning / Assessment / Training / Self-guided learning
• Formative feedback
• Recap of learning achieved
• Agreement of next steps
The observation will be recorded on an Observation of Assessor Practice Form.
A copy of the form should be forwarded to the Center Manager and the original filed in the tutor’s personnel file.
G) Student Interviews
Once a year the IQA will interview at least one student for each of their allocated tutors. There are set interview questions on the Learner Interview Record, all of which should be asked, but all may not be applicable. These interviews may be carried out face to face or by email.
Once complete a copy of the record should be forwarded to the Center Manager and the original filed in the tutor’s personnel file.
H) Disagreement of IQA findings
Every tutor has the right to challenge an IQA decision made on their assessment decisions. The assessor should indicate their disagreement on the relevant IQA form and bring it to the attention of the IQA within 5 working days of being informed that the portfolio is ready for collection following an IQA.
Where there is a challenge made the assessor and IQA must in the first instance meet and discuss the challenge informally, if agreement can then be made, this should be indicated on the IQA form and then no further action is required.
If an agreement cannot be reached then this goes to:
1. Stage One Appeal
That decision can be appealed by either party and will then go to:
2. Stage 2 Appeal
The Lead IV will listen to all parties, review the evidence and will rule on evidence/document. The lead IVs decision is final.
I) Standardisation & Development
The Berkeleyme will host at least four team development meetings every year. These meetings will normally be held at the same time and include a general team meeting.
These meetings are also used to discuss any updates from the accrediting university, other awarding body, QCF and partners to ensure understanding and consistency of delivery and supply assessors and IQAs with packs of information on the same.
J) IQA Team Meetings
All Internal Quality Assurers must attend annual IQA meetings chaired by the Centre Manager. These meetings are used to discuss:
• Any new standards;
• Any new accrediting university or awarding body guidance;
• Required standardisations;
• Any issues since the last meeting;
• Expected standards.
Internal Quality Assurance Policy
This Policy should be read to be read in conjunction with the following polices:
• Equality and Diversity
• Inclusion
• Confidentiality
• Data Protection
• Keeping Records
• Examinations
Equal Opportunities
The Center shall comply with all statutory duties in respect of equal opportunities in the areas of sex, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, religion, belief, pregnancy, maternity and paternity, marriage and civil partnership.
Sustainability
Berkeleyme will comply with all statutory duties in respect of sustainable development by seeking to improve the long-term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities. This needs to be done in ways which promote social justice, equality of opportunity and which enhance the natural and cultural environment while respecting its limits.
Quality Statement
Berkeleyme Centre provides educational and training opportunities for students of all ages and is committed to ensuring a standardised approach to internal quality assurance practice, under a single quality assurance system that is well documented and systematically reviewed regularly.
The internal quality assurance procedure for all provision must be open, fair and free from bias and have accurate and detailed recording of internal quality assurance decisions.
Assessment, Internal Quality Assurance Policy and Procedure
In the absence of a procedure that is imposed by the validating Examination Board, then the procedure detailed below will apply.
1. Introduction and Aim
Internal marking, moderation/verification seeks to ensure that all learners have access to fair and accurate assessment and that assessment practices are consistent, transparent, valid and reliable and meet the requirements and standards of awarding bodies.
This strategy aims to provide clear guidance and a framework to enable greater consistency of assessment practice and standards within Berkeleyme Center , irrespective of subject discipline. The strategy is concerned with both assessment materials and assessment decisions.
Assessors (Teachers and Tutors), Internal Quality Assurance Panel will have the appropriate qualifications, experience and knowledge relevant to the assessment and certification of qualifications. The Examination Manager will ensure that there is a schedule of internal quality assurance with identified IQAs.
The Examination Manager will ensure that all programme specifications and particularly assessment procedures are known by teachers, tutors or assessors as required.
Both the Examinations Manager and Data Manager will ensure availability for the release of results and certificates from examination boards as and when required.
The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) process is an integral part of the quality assurance system of Berkeleyme because it focuses on the quality of learner assessment. It confirms that the assessment requirements of the approved programme are being reviewed and that the standards of achievement match the agreed criteria of the units/modules. It also provides an opportunity for problems to be identified and remedied and for the recognition and sharing of good practice.
The aim of this policy is to ensure that:
• Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is on-going, robust, valid and reliable;
• IQA procedures are open, fair and free from bias and that assessors adhere to the Awarding Body assessment specification in the judgement of evidence;
• Recording of IQA decisions is accurate and detailed;
• Consistency, transparency, reliability and validity of assessment processes, ensuring that standards and specifications are implemented/achieved;
• Assessment is fit for purpose, consistent and meets the national standards for the particular level being assessed.
In order to do this, Berkeleyme will:
• Verify an appropriately structured sample of assessor work from all programmes, sites and teams to ensure Centre programmes conform to national standards in line with Awarding Body guidelines and procedures;
• Plan annual internal quality assurance schedules linked to assessment plans;
• Define, maintain and support effective internal verification roles;
• Ensure that IQA staff will maintain secure records of all IQA activity in line with Awarding Body guidelines and procedures;
• Brief and train staff of the requirements for current IQA procedures for different Awarding Bodies;
• Promote IQA as a developmental process between staff;
• Provide standardised IQA documentation;
• Use the outcome of IQA to enhance future assessment practice.
Berkeleyme Policy for Internal Quality Assurance
The Assessor Team and the IQA Panel need to be involved in IQA process. The Assessor Team are responsible for providing the evidence and the IQA Panel should internally verify and quality assured assessed work.
The aim is for Assessor Teams to work with the IQA system so that consistent, rigorous processes can be adopted. By having a team approach, good practices can be shared and the person internally verifying can gain personally from the experience.
Roles
Assessors will:
• Identify and design suitable assessment activities ensuring coverage of performance criteria and learning outcomes/principal objectives set out in the unit/module specifications;
• Advise and support candidates to identify prior achievement where applicable;
• Agree and review assessment plans with candidates;
• Assess assignments or other evidence that allows the Candidate, the Assessor and the Internal and External Verifiers to cross-reference and locate evidence;
• Attend team and standardisation meetings on a regular basis to ensure that assessment is being undertaken according to national standards;
• Ensure that suitable arrangements are made for external tests, where
• appropriate;
• Follow the Berkeleyme procedure in the event of any candidate appeal set out within the
Awarding Body Appeals Procedure.
• Ensure that individual awarding body requirements regarding assessments are adhered to;
• Ensure that assessor candidates have their assessment decisions signed by a qualified assessor;
• Ensure procedures are in place for candidates with access arrangements
Assessor Teams will meet twice per term and attend all internal and external training identified to support the assessment process:
• Ensure candidates are registered on the appropriate awarding body programme of study.
• Prepare an assessment plan for each programme to show unit specification coverage;
• Adapt assessment plans to suit individual needs as required;
• Discuss assessment plans and decisions;
• Compare evidence presented;
• Gain mutual understanding of appropriate evidence;
• Record achievement of candidates;
• Update on procedures, processes and awarding bodies amendments;
• Modifications and practises.
The Directors will meet with the Executive Head once per term to discuss reports received and information on IQA within the centre.
Internal Quality Assurers will:
Advise, guide and support assessors to:
• Monitor samples of Assessor performance to ensure that assessments are being conducted properly and that national standards are being interpreted accurately;
• Identify issues arising out of assessments decisions and take appropriate action;
• Ensure that the verification process is conducted in a supportive manner;
• To attend IQA training at least once a term to support the IQA process; Maintain and monitor arrangements for processing assessment information to:
• Keep records of the verification process in a secure place in line with the
• Archive Policy;
• Liaise with the Internal Quality Assurance Panel members;
• Manger to ensure that individual awarding body requirements regarding internal verification are adhered to;
• Ensure that the results of monitoring are communicated to the Assessment
Team, the Directors of Faculty and the Awarding Bodies. Verify assessment practice, where appropriate, to ensure:
• All curriculum areas will have frameworks for the academic year which are internally quality assured prior to being issued to learners;
• Assessment practice is of consistent quality, is sufficient but does not demand more of candidates than specified, and meets national standards;
• Awarding Body re-submission and rework rules are adhered to, with clear records of learner re-submission and re-takes for scrutiny by External Verifiers;
• All Summative decisions are made by qualified assessors;
• All IQA candidates have their IQA decisions signed by a qualified Internal Quality Assurance Panel Member;
• Identify staff training needs.
Senior Internal Quality Assurance Personnel will:
Verify assessment and verification practices that:
• Oversee the quality assurance activity in each curriculum area and ensure that it is consistently applied;
• Ensure all claims for certification are validated by a qualified Internal Quality Assurer;
• Support assessment and internal verification/quality assurance within Berkeleyme;
The IQA folder holds information about the
1. The centres statement of assurance
2. Diversity & Equality, Reasonable Adjustments, Special Considerations, Data Protection, Health and Safety Policy
3. Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance
4. Information Book
5. Job descriptions for members of staff involved in the IQA Team
6. Minutes and Agendas for IQA Meetings, Standardisation
7. Access Arrangements
8. Staff signatures
9. Risk Assessments for assessment
The Executive Head and Senior IQA will:
• Share expertise across the whole Centre;
• Consider issues and requirements of Examination Bodies;
• Discuss and agree requirements for staff training programmes;
• Feedback information to Assessment Teams;
• Provide support for IQAs;
Meet with the relevant IQA(s) on a regular basis to:
• Sample work from each Programme and from each Assessor;
• Ensure the internal verification process is being carried out effectively
• Ensure consistency of standards throughout the Center
• Ensure consistency with national standards
• Identify areas of possible weakness and suggest possible training strategies.
Sampling Strategy for the Internal Verifier and Lead Verifier
A representative sample of learners’ assessed work should be selected taking into account, as appropriate:
• 25% of Assessor/teacher/tutor marked work to be drawn each of the units and modules forming part of the programme of study/specification. The sample called must have a cross-section which reflects differences in age, gender and ethnicity.
• 10% of Assessor/teacher/tutor marked work which has been verified by the IQA to be drawn each of the units and modules forming part of the programme of study/specification to be verified by a SIQA. The sample called must have a cross section which reflects differences in age, gender and ethnicity.
Should a internal quality assurance sample fail, then 100% of the sample will be called for internal quality assurance with training provided for the Assessor.
The Executive Head will:
• Review and update the Berkeleyme IQA standardised paperwork;
• Review and update the Berkeleyme IQA Policy;
• Promote good practice at all Berkeleyme Educational and Training Provisions;
• Support staff to ensure that Internal Quality Assurance is effective on all programmes;
• Formulate strategic policy statements
• Report findings from external and internal verification procedure to IQA, Directors and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Receive and disseminate reports from the External Verifier(s) and ensure action on any recommendations made via IQAs
• Assume overall responsibility for the IQA process
• Report on and promote Berkeleyme Internal Quality Assurance structure and system to the Directors.
