March 2026
Supporting you with logging into the Portal using multi-factor authentication
We understand that with the introduction of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to help keep your account secure, you may have noticed some changes to how you access and use the NCFE Portal. To support you, we’ve put together some helpful tips, guidance, and troubleshooting information to answer common questions and help you log in more smoothly. Read more.
Term-time checkpoint opening next week
We want to remind you that the term-time checkpoint is opening on Monday 23 March. Your centre must take action if you deliver any of the qualifications in scope of this year’s arrangements to ensure the timely delivery of vocational and technical qualification (VTQ) results in 2025-26. You’ll need to complete this checkpoint by Thursday 30 April. Visit our timely delivery of VTQ results webpage for more information on the actions you’ll need to take, and where to find support.
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Qualifications updates and withdrawals
View this month’s Horizons update for the latest qualification changes and withdrawals.
Key insights from the government’s response to the post-16 skills pathway consultation
In October 2025, the post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out the government’s plans to reform the skills system in England. Since then, the Department for Education (DfE) has released further details, including updates published on 10 March 2026 as part of its response to the consultation.
The response confirms that new V Levels will begin teaching in colleges from September 2027. The first subjects to be introduced will be digital, education and early years, and finance and accounting.
To help you understand what these changes mean for your organisation and future provision, watch NCFE’s Technical Education expert, David Rowley’s latest webinar. He shares a clear overview of the key updates from the consultation response, highlighting what has been confirmed so far and outlining the timelines providers and learners should be aware of.
You can access the webinar and book a one-to-one consultation with NCFE’s team on our dedicated post-16 reforms webpage, where you’ll find further guidance on what these reforms mean for you, your learners and your future curriculum planning.
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Updates for exams officers
Read the latest news and updates for exams officers here.
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Supporting your delivery
Our teams are running lots of events this term to support you and your colleagues. Click the links below to discover what’s coming up and register your place:
Assessor and internal quality assurance (IQA) training events available for booking now
Assessor training
Our assessor training events will provide you with an opportunity to:
- explore the general principles of the assessment process
- understand what we expect from assessors
- get to know our paperwork and processes
- highlight and share good practice
- meet and network with other practitioners.
This training is suitable for anyone assessing our qualifications, whether you’re new to assessment, assessing our qualifications for the first time, or even an experienced assessors who requires CPD. Delegates who attend this event will be eligible to receive a digital credential that you can add to your professional development portfolio.
Assessor training – Wednesday 22 April 2026 – 9:30am–12:30pm
Assessor training – Wednesday 6 May 2026 – 9:30am–12:30pm
Assessor training – Wednesday 10 June 2026 – 9:30am–12:30pm
Functional Skills Assessor – Wednesday 13 May – 9:30am–12:30pm
Sign up now
Please note, this training is generic across our qualifications and not subject specific. Colleagues and trainers will be from a wide range of sectors. If you require subject specific training, you can arrange a support visit.
IQA training
Our internal quality assurance (IQA) events will provide you with an opportunity to:
- explore the general principles of the internal quality assurance process
- understand what we expect from you
- get to know our paperwork and processes
- review current practices and develop ideas for improvement
- understand how to achieve and maintain Direct Claim Status (DCS)
- meet and network with other IQA practitioners.
This training is suitable for anyone involved in the IQA process of our qualifications, whether you’re new to IQA, applying it to our qualifications for the first time, or even if you’re an experienced internal quality assurer and require CPD. Delegates who attend this event will be eligible to receive a digital credential that you can add to your professional development portfolio.
IQA training – Thursday 23 April 2026 9:30am–12:30pm
IQA training – Friday 8 May 2026 9:30am–12:30pm
IQA training – Thursday 11 June 2026 9:30am–12:30pm
Functional Skills IQA – Thursday 20 November – 9:30am–12:30pm
Functional Skills IQA – Wednesday 20 May – 9:30am–12:30pm
Functional Skills IQA – Wednesday 8 July – 9:30am–12:30pm
Sign up now
Please note, this training is generic across our qualifications and not subject specific. Colleagues and trainers will be from a wide range of sectors. If you require subject specific training, you can arrange a support visit.
If you have any further questions, please contact the team via email at [email protected].
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Qualification-specific updates
