FAQs - Administration and General

Where a learner is unable to complete a qualification full, Open Awards will provide a unit transcript for any units that have been achieved. Providers should claim results for any units that have been completed by the learner via The Portal.

The Learning Aim Reference is an 8 digit number used to uniquely identify our qualifications. You can find this in the qualification guide or the qualification page on our website. We usually present these in the format xxx/xxxx/x but you may see them without / when searching on the Department for Education website. This number may also be referred to as a Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN).

Providers must keep complete and accurate records, for at least three (3) years from the end of the academic year to which they relate, for all qualifications and make these available to Open Awards on request.

Providers are required to retain the following records:

• Name of learner, date of birth and contact address
• Title and accreditation number of each qualification and unit studied
• Name(s) of assessor(s)
• Assessment records, including assessment decision and reason for decision
• Name(s) of internal verifier(s)
• Internal Verification reports

Providers must retain all learner evidence at least until the next external verification visit takes place following certification to allow for appropriate external verifier sampling of evidence and/or selection of evidence to be used for standardisation purposes.

Following a successful external verification visit, evidence will be able to be returned to learners.

We have combined our Access to Assessment and Reasonable Adjustments policy. Please use The Portal to see our Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy and/ or to request reasonable adjustments for your learner.

Details regarding the delivery of Open Awards qualifications can be found in the relevant qualification guide. This guide contains information on the unit content and any other relevant details required for delivery and assessment of the qualification.

After being approved as an Open Awards provider, you must apply to deliver your chosen qualifications. This allows our quality team to support you with any queries you may have prior to delivering a specific qualification, and ensures you meet the relevant criteria for each qualification you are wanting to deliver. You can apply for each qualification via The Portal.

Open Awards offers a wide range of qualifications across different levels and sectors. These include:

• Ofqual regulated vocational, technical, occupational and other life skills qualifications
• Qualification in Wales regulated vocational, occupational and other life skills qualifications
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated Access to HE Diplomas
• Functional Skills qualifications
• Essential Digital Skills qualifications
• Apprenticeship Assessments for apprenticeships in England
• Non-regulated assessments, units and courses

You can find our full list of regulated qualifications using the qualification search.

Open Awards requires the apprentice to present photographic identification to an invigilator or assessor immediately prior to each assessment on each assessment day. This is a requirement to ensure Open Awards can confirm an individual completing an assessment is the person they are claiming to be.

The following are acceptable forms of evidence of an apprentice’s identification:

• a valid passport (any nationality)
• a signed UK photo card driving licence
• valid warrant card issued by HM Forces or the Police
• other photographic ID card, e.g. employee ID card (must be current
• employer), student ID card, travel card
• UK biometric residence permit.

Where this identification is not available to be checked, the assessment will not be allowed to commence.

Where an apprentice or learner does not have access to the necessary identification or where the name on the identification does not match the name registered with Open Awards, the training provider must contact Open Awards to make arrangements for alternative or additional authentication checks to be made.

If an apprentice or learner is not satisfied with their result, they can request an enquiry about results (Stage 1 of the Enquiries and Appeals Policy and Procedures). Open Awards will review the documentation for administrative errors and correct these if identified. An enquiry about results must be made by the apprentice within 10 workings days of notification of the results concerned being sent to the provider.

Alternatively, or subsequent to an enquiry (Stage 1), if an apprentice is not satisfied with their result, they may lodge an appeal (Stage 2). Appeals can be made by the provider on behalf of the apprentice, but they must have the written permission of the apprentice to do this.

Appeals made in respect of the final overall grade will result in a delay to the completion certificate being requested by Open Awards. For further details regarding the process, timelines and fees, please refer to Open Awards’ Enquiries and Appeals Policy and Procedures which can be found on the Portal.

You will receive a remote assessment guidance document, this document includes everything you need to know to prepare for the assessment. As well as this you will receive your assessment link and a few other helpful links.