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Do you want to know what's happening in education?
Below you can find our perspective on all the recent government updates, sector-wide trends and policy changes.
Education Insights 2025: Meet our Speakers
Education Insights is nearly here and we’re delighted to share some of our expert speakers ahead of time. Discover our speakers, their insights and how to get in touch with them below. Tom Reynolds About Tom: As a post-degree-diagnosed dyslexic, Tom Reynolds is a passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive education. With over 20 years’ […]
The Welsh National 14-16 Reformsn: Explained | Cymwysterau Cenedlaethol 14-16: Wedi’u Hesbonio
Welsh education is changing. Over the next three years, the Welsh government are implementing a series of changes to Welsh qualifications. Here’s what you need to know. Mae addysg yng Nghymru yn newid. Dros y tair blynedd nesaf, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithredu cyfres o newidiadau i gymwysterau Cymru. Dyma’r hyn sydd angen i chi ei wybod. What are the reforms? The National 14-16 reforms are designed to improve standards and ensure that Welsh learners become ‘qualified for the future’. The reforms are designed […]
Did you know all Open Awards Level 3 Qualifications carry UCAS Points?
Co-written by Julie Goodwin, Head of Development and Vicky McClymont, Marketing and Access to HE Development Manager When we regulate Level 3 qualifications at Open Awards, UCAS automatically generates points for these qualifications and adds the qualification to the official Tariff tables. The purpose of the Tariff is to enable higher education providers to draw high-level comparisons between […]
Key takeaways from the AELP National Conference
Written by Teri Greaves, Business Development Manager at Open Awards I recently attended the AELP National Conference, where I had the opportunity to engage with a range of providers on apprenticeships, qualifications, and sector updates. AELP shared important changes they’ve been lobbying for—most notably, the removal of the mandatory Maths and English requirement for […]
Apprenticeship Assessment Is Changing — Here’s What We Know (and What We’re Watching Closely)
The past six months in the apprenticeship landscape have felt like gazing into a crystal ball. We think we can see the future. But the image in the crystal ball is layered with mist, shifting shapes, and hidden details. Since the Department for Education’s announcement during National Apprenticeship Week in February, we’ve seen a steady […]
AGM 2025: navigating the evolving education landscape.
Written by Nina Hinton, Director of Business and Development Thursday 19th June was a day of celebration at Open Awards as we held our Annual General Meeting. This year’s event was especially significant as we mark 20 years of trading as Open Awards (formerly Open College Network, North-West Region). It was a moment to reflect […]
Introducing Education Insights 2025
We are delighted to announce our next education summit. Join us on the 2nd of October for a full day of education insights. After the success of last year’s AI summit, we knew we wanted to continue hosting community events. Yet, we knew that we needed to expand our format to respond to the complex […]
Meaningful work and industry experience
Written by Nina Hinton, Director of Business and Development Learning at Work Week is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of supporting all learners, and particularly those furthest away from the labour market, to access meaningful experiences in the world of work. For me, it is the word ‘meaningful’ that is critical. Experience […]
The Juggle Is Real: Prioritising Mental Health
Written by Abigail Black, Business Development Officer As a mum of three, balancing work, motherhood, and everyday responsibilities often feels like a constant juggling act! With so much energy poured into taking care of everyone else, it’s easy to put our own needs last. But self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential for maintaining mental health and […]
Our commitment to fighting fraud: Ofqual’s action plan for the prevention of qualification fraud
In today’s world, qualifications are like golden tickets to jobs, education, and career growth. But what happens when those tickets are fake? Ofqual, with the support of Open Awards, are taking the steps to remove qualification fraud and ensure that all certificates truly represent a person’s skills and knowledge. To further fight fraud, Ofqual have […]