Centres must implement and maintain an effective internal quality assurance system. Internal verification is an essential part of a quality assurance system, particularly when there is no external summative (end of course) assessment such as an exam or online test.
Agored Cymru do not impose a particular internal verification process on centres, however, centres are required to implement effective internal verification checks to confirm that the assessment process (i.e. from pre-course planning to the award of credit) is fit for purpose and is implemented accurately, fairly and consistently and to the required standards.
Centres must adhere to Agored Cymru’s quality assurance requirements when carrying out internal verification on any unit(s) from qualifications.
Internal quality assurers must:
- have current and/or relevant experience in assessing and internal verification;
- have undertaken relevant training if new to internal quality assurance (see website for Agored Cymru Introduction to Internal Verification courses);
- have good knowledge and understanding of Agored Cymru internal verification requirements.
- Have good knowledge and understanding of Agored Cymru units and qualification in their chosen sector(s).
- be familiar with the level of the unit(s)/qualification(s) being delivered;
Internal quality assurers do not currently need to have a formal internal verification qualification to internally verify Agored Cymru units and / or qualification, unless stated in the qualification guide or unit criteria*. However, Agored Cymru strongly recommends that Internal quality assurers work towards formal accreditation (e.g Level 4 Certificate on Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice). In addition, Agored Cymru strongly recommends that assessors attend Agored Cymru’s Internal Quality Assurance training. Dates of when training events are held can be found here.
Internal quality assurers cannot internally verify their own assessment materials, tasks or assessment decisions. Consequently, it is recommended that the internal verification skills of a whole team are developed. This gives the centre more flexibility and avoids over-reliance on any one person.
* Some qualifications have particular requirements that must be met to enable tutors / assessors to deliver and assess the qualification. Please refer to the relevant qualification guide to confirm your tutors / assessors are able to meet these requirements. In some cases, evidence of a tutor / assessors experience / qualification must be submitted to Agored Cymru prior to delivery.
Centres must adhere to Agored Cymru’s assessment requirements when delivering qualifications, or any unit(s) from qualifications.
For guidance on internal quality assurance please click here.
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Quality Assurance Expectations
All policies must be in place for child protection.
Schools will need to have Local Authority Approval (LAR) for the activity / adventurous activity taking place, i.e. be confirmed as technically competent via the Local Authority Outdoor Education Advisor, whether the activity is to take place on or off site.
Non-school providers must demonstrate suitable risk assessment processes and current public liability insurance.
Using an external deliverer / assessor would also be appropriate if the approved Agored Cymru Centre does not have staff with suitable experience