The Exams Office - 2014/15 support for Exams Officers & Data Managers

We are not members of EOA – we will be offering a couple of GCSEs this year but as they are very gen-ed based then there is not a lot I feel that they can really offer us.

We tend to put together our own key dates and with the GCSEs and the new BTECs then this is what we will do this year.

I find this forum as helpful as anything else in any case….

Julie

Julie Griffin I Examinations Co-ordinator

Room D215

cid:image002.jpg@01CD8F5F.A37FF6F0

Hempstead Road

Watford

Herts WD17 3EZ

Tel: 01923 812299

Fax: 01923 812058

Mobile: 07920 028390

Email: [log in to unmask]

The exams timetable and other examinations information can be found by going to iShare and selecting Exams Timetable from College Calendars and Events or by clicking on the link:

http://ishare2.westherts.ac.uk/depts/exams/Lists/Exams%20Timetable/calendar.aspx

Please only print this email if absolutely necessary

From: The FE Exams Network mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul King
Sent: 04 September 2014 14:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: The Exams Office - 2014/15 support for Exams Officers & Data Managers

Dear Partners in Crime,

You may have had this email (below) from The Exams Office (TEO), a group that was set up earlier this year, offering advice and guidance for our esteemed community, and has links to the Regional Training Agency who offer courses of interest to us – I have been on one, which was useful.

However, reading this communication, it appears that they are offering their own on-line exam calendar and key dates tools, tools previously offered the various government agencies that have supported us in the past for free. For access to these they are now asking for payment of a discounted annual membership fee of £95.00 plus VAT, AND the booking of an RTA course (the one I looked at was £236 + VAT) AND the requirement to run an OCR award (I’m sure we all do). It seems to me that these people are cashing in on our need for speedy and collated information sources, and trying to make further money out of courses that we have to attend just to gain membership…

How many of you good people would be willing to pay them for these facilities, plus any other information they are willing to collate for us?

The EOA are, I suspect, concerned at this new group setting up as rivals to themselves. They have their EO ‘Oracle’, which includes lots of basic, helpful information. However, in speaking to CEO Andrew Harland, it appears there is often very little grass-roots response to any of the issues that get raised. Despite receiving other stakeholder responses, there was minimal EO response to their post-exams survey this year. Perhaps nobody had anything to say, or were we too busy to take notice? And how many people are members of the EOA? Or come to that, have paid membership fees to TEO?

I am interested in your views (when you have time to offer them) about the amount and quality of external assistance we need and indeed, receive; and are you willing to pay for it?

Regards

Paul King

Exams Officer,

Leyton Sixth Form College

Tel: 020 8928 9135

Fax: 020 8928 9200

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

From: The Exams Office [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of The Exams Office
Sent: 02 September 2014 06:32
To: Exams
Subject: The Exams Office - 2014/15 support for Exams Officers & Data Managers

The Exams Office - September 2014 update

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Dear Colleague,

Today marks the beginning of a new era in Exams Officer support.

As requested by our members, we have developed a range of services which offer practical support in your day-to-day role with weekly updates, quality resources and the latest education and exam-related information. The Exams Office is here to help you in your role and save you valuable time.

Our latest support resources

By joining The Exams Office today, you will have access to our wide range of resources. Today, our website contains the following information...which will be added to on a weekly basis:

This week’s exams update
This week’s education update
An autumn term exams office checklist
A summary of JCQ rules and regulation changes for 2014/15
A wide range of JCQ-related Frequently Asked Questions based on 2014/15 guidance
A section to support Data Managers with monthly updates, termly checklists and support documents
A ‘getting started’ guide for those new to the EO role
A qualifications and key terms glossary
An information section on ‘Educational Reforms’ with updates from our team of experts
A dedicated support section for ‘New Exams Officers’
A monthly blog written by a serving exams officer and data manager

Image removed by sender.

Available from 8 September. A tool containing JCQ and awarding body key dates, to help you identify exams deadlines relating to your school/college.

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Available from 1 October. A tool to personalise the 2014/15 exams timetables from the major awarding bodies for qualifications taken in your school/college.

Online Tools

On Monday 8 September, we will be launching our Key Dates Calendar. This was previously offered by the Department for Education, but The Exams Office has not only saved this online tool from being consigned to the archives, but we have enhanced this invaluable information and time saving resource. We have developed an improved version of the DfE tool by including a wider range of qualifications and improving the functionality of our Key Dates Calendar.

To further reaffirm our commitment to fill the gap left by the withdrawal of government support for Exams Officers, on 1 October we will be launching the Exams Timetable Tool. Like the Key Dates Calendar, this was also previously offered by the DfE. However, with no other organisation willing to fund the redevelopment of these key resources, The Exams Office has paid to redevelop both the Key Dates Calendar and Exams Timetable Tool. We believe that they will save our members valuable time by not having to trawl through several awarding body websites to locate key exam information.

Data Managers

We appreciate that many of our members also serve as Data Managers, so by becoming a member of The Exams Office you will also have access to:

Our Data Manager monthly updates and termly checklists
The latest information on GCSE/GCE/Performance table reforms
A series of guides to internal assessments, beginning this week with information on Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs)

Why join The Exams Office?

In the coming months, The Exams Office will be increasing its’ support for Exams Officers and Data Managers. As well as the introduction of the tools mentioned above, we will also be launching our Exams Supplies service. This will provide members with access to exams and classroom equipment at some of the lowest prices in the country. The introduction of our Member Rewards initiative will reward members for sharing their expertise, whilst also raising money for nominated charities. Finally, we will continue to offer the excellent support on which we have built our reputation with weekly updates, support documents, checklists and valuable hints, tips and guidance.

To reaffirm our status as the leading exams support organisation, not only do we work in collaboration with JCQ and the leading awarding bodies on the development of key support tools, but we have signed an agreement with OCR to become partner organisations in supporting the exams officer community.

How do I join The Exams Office?

We have ensured a very simple process for all existing members to acquire an upgraded membership to The Exams Office. Once you complete a short membership form, not only will you be granted instant access to the members-only section of our website, but this available at a discounted 12-month membership fee of just £95 (excl. VAT), for anyone who is:

an existing member of The Exams Office and acquire an updated membership before 31 October 2014
engaged in any OCR qualifications
attending, or is booked onto, a Regional Training Agency event in 2014

To acquire a membership, log on to our membership page, complete the form and follow the instructions at the end of the membership form.

Join an organisation which actively works in partnership with the leading stakeholders in education and which has a reputation for delivering quality support to the exams and data community.

The Exams Office

www.TheExamsOffice.org

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