BTEC Enhanced Confirmation Sampling Visit

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

Has anyone been through an enchanted confirmation sampling visit on the new standards verifier framework?? Just wondering what to expect. I suspect they will want to got enough paperwork with a fine tooth comb. They have said they need access to all pupils work but would like to know how much they actually look at? Is there a student voice? I’m feeling extremely nervous about this so any advice would be much appreciated. I’m sorry to say if there is a problem it’s very much throw the nearest person under the bus approach so would like to be as prepared as possible. Thanks

[cantthinkofanythingwitty]

I am just waiting to hear from my QN about this. Have you heard anything back yet?

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

No haven’t heard a thing! Will keep you updated if you can do the same??

[cricketballs3]

QN here!

They can ask to speak to students and they will want access to student work that has been completed as per assessment plans. (They can not ask for units not yet completed)

You need to ensure as per postal moderation that dates are accurate and that all assessment sheets etc are as per requirements.

Basically if you are doing what you should be doing then there isn't anything to worry about.

However - the LSV and QN have the opportunity to 'downgrade' the risk weighting in the centre visit if there is evidence that it is not a true reflection so you need to know the reason why you have been rated as high risk and provide your QN with evidence to counter argue if you feel that you should be medium (new course but you have experienced BTEC staff providing)

My centre has had 2 courses medium, but one enhanced on the basis that external grades are lower than internal. However that subject has lots of evidence that I will put to the LSV to argue the weighting down.

It is also worth pointing out that a lot of QNs are asking about Pearson's ability to staff the number of enhanced SV that they have suggested therefore 'we think' that if you can provide evidence to argue a medium risk they are more than likely to go with it

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

@cricketballs3 oh my goodness thank you!! This is exactly the sort of info I needed!

We have been classed as high risk as our internal results are higher than external. Similar to what you have said in your post.

What ‘evidence’ are you going to provide to argue your case? I’m not sure what I would need? We have fantastic feedback from external postal moderation every year? We have the centre visit with QN and then meeting experienced assessors Which I am normally involved in. What sort of things can I put forward here?

We have are all experienced assessors delivering the course?

Thanks so much I really appreciate it

[cricketballs3]

@Whatelsecouldibecalled we are going to be showing that

a) we have a wide range of external results (including a number of distinctions) and we have also had students that performed better in externals than some of their internals
b) never had a block on moderation with comments such as the distinction work being of a higher standard than required
c) students who have extra time applied have proven documents stating that they get very tired easily therefore having to work for 4.5 hours with limited breaks are not the same circumstances than the environment that the student could work in for an internal (Business so units 2, 6 and 7 are a 3 hour assessment that has to be word processed which related to 4.5 hours for this student)

fingers crossed it will aid the discussion - from the QN facebook group it seems that there are a lot of centres that have had enhanced for at least one subject which is why we are questioning their available manpower to do it given they struggle to get enough SVs for normal postal moderation so the general consensus is if you can argue, the pressure will be to change to medium

[Jenny36]

Hello
In September I received word that my dept was too enhanced. At the time I wanted reasons why and was told by the QN in school to wait for the SV visit. Meet with the SV and again our moderator report was reiderated...I provided evidence that my pupils (I only had 6) were exceptionally bright and showed evidence of their high GCSE scores. Our pupils did not have to sit external exams and all work was moderated. In the mandatory units we had 5 distinctions and 1 merit in unit 1 and in unit 2, 4 distinction and 2 merits. This showed a range of results. On our initial site visit all my paper work was looked at for 30 mins and even a brief sample of work already moderated in the previous yr.
However we still came back enhanced as did 8 other subjects. At the time I requested an appeal and was told by the QN just to let the dust settle. However I went into work today to the news that now all of a sudden 6 other depts have had their ratings changed from enhanced to low. How is that possible? Why was ours not altered as we clearly showed evidence fr a down grade........I know my work is of a high standard and with this curren cohort they are not as strong but still good and again a range of grades will be evident. Can I please get some advice from anyone in relation to this please.... desperate and feeling perplexed by this system, I find it bizarre. Prob revert back to a level, much more straight forward.....
Please help on how I proceed ...I now want to challenge how some were overturned and not ours.
Kind regards
Jenny

[EvilTwins]

It depends on the reason for the enhanced visit. What subject is it? Your QN should know the reason (there is a code) I'm on an enhanced sample too, and when we had the QA visit, he said there was no chance that it would be downgraded as the results were in the top 10% nationally. Anyone in the top or bottom 10% is automatically on an enhanced sample, but if it's not that, then there are a number of other reasons.

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

Ours has just been down graded after HOURS AND HOURS of work getting everything ready. Pearson are turning into an absolute joke!

[Jenny36]

A lot in school were within 10% and still downgraded. Hence my confusion.
Thanks for relies guys.