External Examiners induction session For newly appointed External Examiners

Welcome Megan Nichols – Head of HE Quality and Standards Alan Fenton – Head of HE Registry

Outline of the day About NCG Taught Degree Awarding Powers Assessment framework The role of the External Examiner External Examiner reports Payment and expenses Passport Check Any questions? Opportunity to meet with your Programme Leader

NCG One of the leading providers of education, training and employability across the UK 8 Divisions: Newcastle College West Lancashire College Kidderminster College Newcastle Sixth Form College InTraining Ltd Rathbone Carlisle College Lewisham Southwark College

NCG Structure NCG Group Key InTraining Rathbone Executive, ICT, Finance, Business Assurance, HE Registry, Property, HR Comms and People Services InTraining Rathbone Newcastle Sixth Form College Newcastle College Carlisle College Kidderminster College West Lancashire College Lewisham Southwark College Schools within Newcastle College Construction Leisure and Sport Health Childcare Business Science Creative and Digital Industries Education Services Engineering Key Training Providers 16-18 Provision FECs with HE

NCG HE Strategy Our aims align with the overall aims of NCG: Provide a high-quality, flexible vocational curriculum offer Widen participation and increase employability Work in partnership with employers to support their future skills needs Increase accessibility and flexibility through e-learning Provide a distinctive HE offer which complements traditional University provision

NCG and Higher Education FDAP awarded in 2011 TDAP awarded in July 2016 Providing opportunities for more autonomy 95% of NCGs HE provision delivered at Newcastle College Range of Foundation Degrees, 3 year Honours Degrees, One year Top up Hons Degree, Masters and PGCE awards

Strengths High quality teaching and learning informed by research, scholarship and pedagogy within an HE in FE context Robust and rigorous quality assurance framework mapped against UK Quality Code Innovative vocational curriculum offer that supports employability and career aspirations Use of RPL which values and recognises prior experience Supportive learning environment Industry standard facilities and resources

HE Management HE Registry operates at group level (NCG) and has responsibility for institutional oversight of quality, academic standards and regulatory framework Each Division has responsibility for operational management of HE and curriculum development

HE Assessment Framework

What is the HE Assessment Framework? Provides a framework which offers guidance and documentation to ensure effective, appropriate and fair assessment Implementation of college HE Quality processes and procedures Assures the quality and standards of HE assessment and feedback.

What does it involve? Three main areas are incorporated within the framework: Assessment Design Assessment Standards Assessment Feedback Assessment Design Information and guidance on assessment is clear, accurate and accessible to all staff, students, placement or practice providers, assessors and external examiners The module guide is aligned to the principles of assessment and is used appropriately in linking the learning outcomes, assessment criteria and academic level for the course/award The range and type of assessment encourage and promote learning to ensure possible bias towards an individual assessment method is avoided Strategies for assessment encourage good academic practice (Turnitin software is used as part of the submission process for all written assignments) Learners are made aware at the start of their course of the number and frequency of assessments, with planned dates Assessment design is regularly reviewed to ensure that the amount and timing of assessment enables effective and appropriate measurement of students' achievement of intended learning outcomes Assessment Standards Assessment processes are transparent and clearly communicated to relevant stakeholders Clear and appropriate contextualised assessment criteria is provided for all assessment tasks Moderation of module guides/assessment briefs takes place prior to publication to students Module guides and examinations for level 5, 6 and 7 are externally verified, before submission to students by the external examiner for the course The procedure and documentation for setting examination papers and the conduct of examinations conforms to the requirements within the academic regulations Appropriate guidance is available for the organisation of group assessments Academic assessment practices are inclusive, ensuring all students have equality of opportunity to demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes and competence standards’ Marking and moderation practices promote consistency, reliability and objectivity, follow the protocols and processes set out in the marking and moderation guidelines Assessment of students work is undertaken by appropriately qualified staff competent to carry out this role Assessment Feedback Appropriate and timely feedback is provided to students on assessed work in a way that promotes learning and facilitates improvement (normally within 20 working days) Formative feedback will be provided to students to indicate strengths and weaknesses and provide clear information about what the learner needs to do to improve their performance The format of feedback, formative and summative complies to the standards set out in the Assessment Policy. Individual formal feedback is provided electronically, where possible, to students on all summative assessed work Students are provided with opportunity to discuss their feedback with a module tutor as appropriate Students will be informed about the position regarding the reading of draft work for a module or course prior to submission

The Credit Framework NCG uses nationally recognised credit tariff: 1 credit = 10 notional student learning hours Modules based around units of 20 credits (200 notional student learning hours)

Foundation Degrees NCG Foundation Degrees have 2 levels conforming to Part A of the Quality Code: FHEQ and the QAA Higher Education Credit Framework for England 120 credits level 4 120 credits level 5

Foundation Degree Classification 70% + Distinction 60-69% Merit 40-59% Pass Up to 39% Fail

Honours Degrees 3 year Honours Degree programme consists of: 120 credits level 4 120 credits level 5 120 credits level 6 One year top-up Honours Degree programme consists of:

Level 7 programmes Masters programmes currently in the following subject areas: Business Education PGCE – 4 routes

NCG Academic Regulations 6 years since the regulations were first approved (2011 FDAP) Collected data from boards and committees Guiding principles of equity and fairness to all students Mainly reviewed the section C Academic Standards Academic misconduct

What’s new? Penalties for late submission Reassessment Increased minimum % for compensation Review foundation degree classification Final level only for degree classification Revised regulations for Academic Misconduct Up to 5 working days capped at 40%/50% Eligible reassessment in all modules 30% in all components Profile for borderline Classification calculated on level 6 grades only 3 types of academic misconduct – negligence, malpractice and cheating

Programme documentation Use of standard templates Programme Specification Programme Handbook Student Handbook (generic information) Statement of resources Module Specification Module delivery details Module Guides Regulations (January 2017) External examining and assessment guidelines Marking and classification criteria Learning, teaching and assessment strategies

The Role of the External Examiner

Overall purpose of the External Examiner To ensure that standards are maintained from a subject point of view To ensure fairness and equity from a student point of view To act as a critical friend with Curriculum developments Standards

At the start of the academic year Check the programme documentation you need sight of (Induction Checklist EE7) Review the Annual Checklist of docs/info (EE8) early September Agree the basis for sampling assessments (see checklist and agenda EE14) Agree the basis of visits to the college (EE14)

Sampling Your right to see all scripts (Re-sits?) Discretion to sample Should see: Assessments marked highest overall Selection of passed assessments from each classification band Problematic assessment A sample of fails

Examiner’s role with assessment Assessment aims and objectives are appropriate Purposes and philosophy of assessment are articulated and understood Assessment load is appropriate Assessment is properly and impartially conducted

Outside of the Examination Boards Meet students and discuss the standard of work in general Advise on individual cases e.g. where there has been internal disagreement about a mark Sample scripts and assessed material to enable judgements to be made as to the: - Overall suitability of assessment methods - Coherence of assessment strategy - Consistency of internal marking

Examination Boards 2 Tiers (1st module / programme examination committees, 2nd Board of Examiners Accountable for academic integrity of assessment in programmes Responsible for conduct of assessment including determining module marks, progression and awards A focus for quality assurance

Board of Examiners Confer awards and classifications for existing students

Module Examination Committee Determine student module assessment outcomes Consider amendment of cohort’s marks as appropriate

Programme Examination Committee Confirms progression Determine student progression (Level 4 FdA and Level 4 and 5 for 3 year degrees) Previews student profile prior to presentation for Award at the Board of Examiners

General Information about Exam Committees/Board of Examiners External Examiners are not permitted to amend individual marks at Exam Committee/Board Terminology: award, programme, discretion to compensate (C12), fail repeat, fail withdraw reassessment (C15, C12) Academic Misconduct and other forms of Unfair Practice (C16) Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation (C15)

After the Examination Board Complete annual report within 28 days of main assessment board Return to HE Registry (along with expenses, annual fee claims)

External Examiner reports

Report headings Standards Student performance Student engagement Conduct of processes Areas for commendation

What happens to report HE Registry will circulate to the relevant School/Programme Head of HE Quality and Standards will track key themes and complete an annual report to be presented at HE Academic Board Any cause for concern highlighted is reported to CEO of NCG You will receive a response and improvement plan from the Programme Leader within 28 days of receipt of your report

Payments to External Examiners NCG External Examiners payment is banded as such: These fees are excluding expenses   Fee Description Band A £350 Module and Award Examiner with between 6-12 modules Band B £500 Module and Award Examiner with 12+ modules (this may include duties covering FdA and Top Up awards) Chief External Examiner for all NCG awards £100 Lead Examiner for a group of Examiners within a section £120 External Mentor – supporting a newly appointed External Examiner

Payments to External Examiners To claim this you need to provide: Evidence of your employment status in the form of a completed HMRC assessment and the outcome Link to HMRC site If self employed provide your HMRC self-employed registration number A completed External Examiner Payment form Proof of eligibility to work in the UK You will pay Tax and NI at source

Bookings and Expenses Must have valid receipts (credit card receipts not accepted) Can claim for accommodation, travel expenses or subsistence & postage (if incurred) NB Accommodation and train tickets can be booked on your behalf (at least 2 weeks notice please) or you can book and pay for your own and claim it back through expenses.

How to submit a Claim? External Examiners annual fee Submit a claim form within a month of June Board to the HE Registry (email option for fees only) externalexaminers@ncgrp.co.uk Expenses for June Boards Send a completed claim form with valid receipts attached (if applicable) to the HE Registry within 28 days Expenses for Reconvened or Semester 1 Boards Send a completed claim form with valid receipts attached to the HE Registry within 28 days

Who to Contact? NCLs HE Development Manager Cecilia Holmes cecilia.holmes@ncl-coll.ac.uk will liaise with you regarding: dates/times for visits (expectation is one visit per year) any mailing of module guides/ student work & deadlines HE Registry (externalexaminers@ncgrp.co.uk) Accommodation / train bookings / tickets Submitting claim forms/receipts Any other general queries

Useful Contacts Email externalexaminers@ncgrp.co.uk Debra Carr and Claire Dishman (HE Academic Co-ordinators) 0191 2004014 or 2004861 College address: NCG HE Registry Rye Hill Campus Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7SA External Examiners Web Page: http://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/higher-education/externalexaminers NCG Chief External Examiner – Alan Willis Alannila12@gmail.com