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Annual monitoring review FAQs
Here you'll find answers to your frequently asked questions about annual monitoring reviews (AMRs).
What is an annual monitoring review (AMR)?
The AMR is a yearly review to check that centres’ management systems and administration procedures continue to meet our approval criteria. The review does not involve sampling learners’ work, as this is covered through external quality assurance or moderation reviews.
Each centre is allocated a Quality Reviewer (QR), who will review the centre’s systems and procedures against our requirements for internally assessed qualifications. Centres only need to submit evidence about their management systems and administration once a year.
Following the AMR, you’ll receive a report that includes any required actions and an overall risk rating of low, medium, or high.
We check low and medium risk actions at the next AMR, while high-risk actions will be followed up through an interim review before the end of the session.
Full details of the criteria, required evidence, and how risk ratings are calculated can be found in the User Guide to the Annual Monitoring Review.
When will the AMR take place?
AMRs take place once per academic year (August to July). For T Level providers, reviews must take place between September and February.
What is a desk-based review?
If you've been rated as low-risk in your previous AMR and are not delivering either T Level or V Cert qualifications, you may be informed by your Quality Reviewer (QR) that there will be a desk-based review. Your QR will send you a self-assessment form to complete and unless your QR has any concerns or you have made major changes to your delivery or policies, an AMR meeting is not required. You will have a full AMR in the next session.
Why do we need a centre risk rating?
Risk ratings form part of our Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny (CASS) strategy and support compliance with Ofqual’s conditions of recognition (H2). They allow us to take a risk-based approach to quality assurance, tailoring our sampling plans, training, and support to each centre.
What happens if I do not upload the required evidence prior to my review?
You must upload all required evidence at least two working days before your AMR.
If you do not provide the evidence, we’ll cancel the review and may apply a charge in line with our published fees and pricing lists. We’ll arrange a new date, subject to the Quality Reviewer’s availability.
Guidance on required evidence is available in the User Guide to the Annual Monitoring Review.
What happens if I am missing evidence during my review?
If the Quality Reviewer identifies missing evidence during the review, they will request it on the day. If it is not provided, the missing evidence will be recorded in an action in the report, and an additional review (chargeable) may be required.
What happens if I need to cancel my review?
If you need to cancel your AMR, you must give at least 10 working days’ notice. The Head of Centre or Programme Contact must email both the Quality Reviewer and the External Quality Assurance team at [email protected].
If you give less than 10 working days’ notice, charges may apply in line with our published fees.
Who should be the named contact for each review?
Responsibility for the AMR sits with the Head of Centre. While they do not need to attend the review, they must ensure the nominated contact has detailed knowledge of the centre’s internal management and administration processes relating to our qualifications.
What is an AMR self-assessment form?
If you had an AMR in the previous session, your Quality Reviewer will send you a link to complete a self-assessment form before the next review. You'll be asked to confirm whether any policies or procedures have changed. This must still be completed if you’re having a desk-based review.
Where can I find more information about AMRs?
You can find further information on our website and in the User Guide to the AMR. This includes guidance documents and a breakdown of the review report.