V Cert service messages

V Cert late registration fees 

As a reminder, as of Friday 1 August 2025, we introduced new V Cert late, and very late registration fees for registrations made after Saturday 31 January 2026. This will help us to ensure we have the resource to quality assure your learners’ work in a timely manner and ensures that we can best support you during periods of high demand. 

Read more information on learner start dates and late registration fees on our fees and pricing webpage. 

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Arrangements for the timely delivery of VTQ results and term-time checkpoint dates for 2025-26 

We recently communicated arrangements with your Heads of Centres and exams contacts to ensure the timely delivery of vocational technical qualifications (VTQ) results for learners in 2025-26.  

We’ve created a webpage with everything you need to know ahead of our term-time checkpoints this year, including:   

• qualifications in scope of these arrangements   

• key dates for our two term-time checkpoints and results  

• information we need from you   

• consequences of failure to meet deadlines for information requests   

• further support and FAQs.   

Visit our term-time checkpoints webpage  

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Preparing for moderation: V Cert visual timeline key dates 

We want you to feel confident and prepared for moderation. View everything you need to know about planning your 2025-26 non-exam assessment (NEA). 

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Timetable clashes and contingency planning  

Although we make every effort to avoid timetable clashes, particularly with higher volume and popular GCSE qualifications, occasional clashes are inevitable.   

We’d like to draw your attention to our assessment timetable, where you’ll find confirmed dates for all of our set dates and times V Cert external assessments, and to signpost you to two associated processes, should there be clashes for your learners:  

• Firstly, Section 7 of JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) sets out the steps you should take if you identify a timetable clash, to mitigate the impact on learners. This includes guidance on options such as supervised rest breaks and options available to you for scheduling to manage on the day clashes. 
• Where a clash cannot be accommodated in the same calendar day, or if there’s any other reason you can’t offer a variation,  please see our Assessment Variation Request process. The deadline for submission of Assessment Variation Requests is 20 working days before the relevant external assessment.   

From this year, we’re now fully aligned to JCQ’s ICE and Reasonable Adjustments policies.  

For any other questions about key dates for our V Cert qualifications please contact [email protected]  

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Standardisation and administration training completion reminder 

The standardisation training materials provide an opportunity for your delivery teams to look in more detail at the NEA tutor guidance document and marking bands, allowing you the time to discuss marks and develop a standardised approach. This will support you to feel confident that you are marking consistently. 

The standardisation training materials can be found on the individual qualification pages of our website under the ‘Support Materials’ tab and then ‘Provider Standardisation Training’. 

The administration training materials provide additional support for your administrative teams to ensure they feel confident and prepared in advance of the 2025/26 assessment window. 

The training consists of a series of videos supporting you through the administrative requirements associated with moderation. All key staff involved in the administration of the moderated assessment should watch/read the mandatory training materials. Please access the training from the Moderation page on our website, under the ‘Training’ heading. 

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Attend our V Cert standardisation event 

Join us for a full-day, in-person training event focused on standardisation and best practice in assessment. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet with our Provider Quality Assurance and Development team and like-minded practitioners to learn about, or expand your knowledge and understanding of, assessment and our qualifications.   

This event will be held on Wednesday 19 November at York Priory Street Centre.  

Limited spaces available – book now to avoid missing out! 

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Assessor and IQA training 

Following your feedback, we’re now offering subject-specific training for our V Certs.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the assessment and IQA processes related to the non-exam assessment (NEA) through a virtual meeting of subject teachers. These events will allow you to:  

• explore the general principles of the assessment and IQA process in relation to the NEA 

• understand what we expect from Assessors and IQAs 

• get to know our paperwork and processes 

• highlight and share good practice 

• meet and network with other practitioners 

Please note that discussion will not relate to current live NEA assessment materials. This training is suitable for anyone involved in the assessment and IQA of the qualification, whether you are assessing our qualifications for the first time; or are an experienced Assessor who would value the opportunity to complete CPD. 

View the dates and book now 

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Updates from our Provider Development team 

Join our Provider Development team for upcoming events, including a drop-in Q&A in December, and subscribe to the new V Certs podcast.  

V Cert Drop-in Q&A with Rachel and Beth: key dates, timelines and moderation support 

Join Provider Development officers Rachel and Beth for a focused drop-in session covering the key milestones in delivering V Cert Level 1/2 Technical Awards. If you're navigating deadlines or looking for clarity on moderation and support, this session is for you. 

Date and time: Wednesday 10 December, 3:30pm – 4:30pm 

Sign-up today  

Podcast: Welcome to All About V Certs 

The go-to podcast for busy teachers delivering NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Awards. Hosted by our experienced Provider Development officers, Rachel and Beth, each bite-sized episode (just 15–20 minutes long) is packed with practical insights, top tips, and expert guidance on all things V Certs.  

Subscribe and listen now   

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Notify us of any change of contacts 

It’s important we have the correct contact information for key colleagues within your centre. Please let us know if you’ve had any recent changes in personnel within your organisation.  

The main contacts we’ll need to communicate with about moderation are Heads of Centre (HOC), Exams Officers/Administrators, and Programme Contacts. Should you wish to make any changes please contact [email protected] or update us via this change your contact details form on our website. 

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Follow us on WhatsApp 

Never miss a deadline or upcoming action by signing up to receive reminders directly on your phone via our WhatsApp channel. These will include a clear recap of what you need to do and by when, as well as any links, to save you time and ensure you’re always in the know!  

Join our WhatsApp channel  

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New Assessor and IQA training events available for booking in the 2025-26 session  

Sign up to attend one of our V Cert training events: These events are a fantastic opportunity to explore the assessment and IQA processes related to the NEA through a virtual meeting of subject teachers. Attending an event will allow you to:  

• explore the general principles of the assessment and IQA process in relation to the NEA  

• understand what we expect from Assessors and IQAs  

• get to know our paperwork and processes  

• highlight and share good practice  

• meet and network with other practitioners  

Please note that discussion will not relate to current live NEA assessment materials.   

This training is suitable for anyone involved in the assessment and IQA of the qualification, whether assessing our qualifications for the first time; or even experienced Assessors who require CPD.  

Engineering – Monday 8 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Engineering – Monday 12 January 2026 – 13:30-16:00  

Business and Enterprise – Wednesday 10 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Business and Enterprise – Wednesday 14 January 2026 – 10:00-12:30  

Health and Social Care – Thursday 4 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Health and Social Care – Thursday18 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Music Technology – Wednesday 3 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Music Technology – Friday 16 January 2026 – 13:30-16:00  

Food and Cookery – Monday 1 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Food and Cookery – Monday 15 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Health and Fitness – Tuesday 16 December 2025 – 16:00-18:30  

Health and Fitness – Tuesday 13 January 2026 – 13:30-16:00  

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 are new to assessment, assessing our qualifications for the first time, or even experienced Assessors who require CPD. If you attend this event, you’ll be eligible to receive a digital credential that you can add to your professional development portfolio. 

Assessor training – Tuesday 3 February 2026 – 09:30 – 12:30  

Assessor training – Tuesday 3 March 2026 – 09:30 – 12:30  

Assessor training – Wednesday 22 April 2026 – 09:30 – 12:30  

Assessor training – Wednesday 6 May 2026 – 09:30 – 12:30  

Assessor training – Wednesday 10 June 2026 – 09:30 – 12:30  

 Functional Skills Assessor – Wednesday 13 May – 09:30 – 12:30  

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 please see links to Support visits.  

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 – Tuesday 17 February 2026 09:30 – 12:30  

IQA training – Tuesday 17 March 2026 09:30 – 12:30  

IQA training – Thursday 23 April 2026 09:30 – 12:30  

IQA training – Friday 8 May 2026 09:30 – 12:30  

IQA training – Thursday 11 June 2026 09:30 – 12:30  

Functional Skills IQA – Thursday 20 November – 09:30 – 12:30  

Functional Skills IQA – Wednesday 20 May – 09:30 – 12:30  

Functional Skills IQA – Wednesday 8 July – 09:30 – 12:30  

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 please see links to Support visits.  

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Event information  

Each booking is valid for one delegate only, and only the registered delegate will receive confirmation of attendance.  

Each event costs £75 per delegate and is delivered via Microsoft Teams as an interactive session.  

All the above events are delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams, please ensure you have a mic, camera and chat availability to partake in the discussions.  

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the team on [email protected].  

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