| Duration: |
6 hours (3x 120 min sessions) |
Credits: |
6 learning hours |
Book now
Bookings close 25 Feb 2026 at 11am (UK time)
Learn how to develop, deliver and quality assure your assessments as part of apprenticeship qualifications.
Why choose this workshop?
“Significant changes are coming to apprenticeships in England, with assessors having a more hands-on role in delivering and shaping assessments. This course will ensure you're ready to meet the new expectations with confidence, refreshing the practical assessment skills that you didn't need to use under the end-point assessment model. Through this training, we will share practical and theoretical insights to help you maintain quality, consistency, and compliance.”
— Dr Rebecca Conway, Director of Research and Innovation, NCFE
The recent announcement of changes to the apprenticeship delivery model in England will have a significant impact on the role that training providers and further education colleges play in delivering summative assessment.
This has created a need to ensure that assessors and teaching staff can develop valid, fair and reliable assessments that meet the criteria set out by the Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations (AAOs) and by occupational standards.
The Assessment Network at Cambridge has partnered with technical and vocational awarding organisation NCFE to develop this workshop series to directly address the challenges and opportunities presented by the reforms.
This course is designed for lecturers, assessors and other teaching or quality assurance professionals who want to develop and deliver assessments as effectively as possible, and in alignment with the criteria and standards set out by AAOs and Skills England.
You’ll first explore how principles of assessment apply in the context of different assessment approaches (e.g. professional discussions, portfolios, presentations). The focus will be to support you to reflect on your current practices and to make informed and justifiable decisions about design and development.
The workshop series will also provide practical guidance on how to make effective assessment judgements, and how to monitor and quality assure your assessment processes, including assessment moderation, malpractice arrangements and audit trails.
Who should attend?
The workshop series is aimed at anyone who has responsibility for designing and quality assuring assessments for apprenticeships. This might include the following roles:
- Apprenticeship Manager
- Assessor
- Curriculum Lead / Head of Curriculum
- Head of Apprenticeships
- Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
- Lecturer
- Quality Lead / Head of Quality
- Tutor
- Trainer
Why choose The Assessment Network and NCFE?
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is trusted by over 1,000 organisations across 100 countries and is backed by world-class research from the University of Cambridge. We proudly hold Dual Accreditation by the Professional Development Consortium, officially recognising us as a Provider of Training Excellence.
NCFE is an educational charity and a leader in vocational and technical learning. As an Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation (AAO), they are proud to provide solutions that enable apprentices to achieve success. NCFE develop apprenticeships in areas with a growing workforce need and exciting opportunities for career progression, such as Business Services, Leadership Management, Education, Early Years, Facilities, Social Care, Sports and Leisure, Health and Digital.
Upon successful completion of Delivering effective assessment for reformed apprenticeships, you’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment as recognition of your learning.
Workshop outline
Workshop 1: 26 Feb 2026 | Principles of assessment as applied to apprenticeships
26 Feb 2026 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
This session will consider the primary principles of assessment (purpose, validity, reliability and fairness) as applied to different methods of assessment commonly seen in apprenticeships. You’ll work through a series of case studies to support your understanding of how to apply these principles.
Workshop 2: 05 Mar 2026 | Assessment task development and delivery
05 Mar 2026 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
In the second session, we’ll explore how you design effective assessment tasks that align to the assessment plan and the guidelines set out by Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations (AAOs). We’ll provide you with a step-by-step assessment development framework with considerations for each stage. By the end of this session, you will be able to justify your decisions around assessment development and delivery to colleagues and AAOs. We’ll also show you best practices for making assessment judgements to ensure reliable outcomes for apprentices.
Workshop 3: 12 Mar 2026 | Quality assurance and standards
12 Mar 2026 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
In the final session, we’ll focus on how your assessment approach can be made consistent, sustainable and defensible in the context of working with the guidance set out by AAOs and Skills England. We’ll explore internal quality assurance processes (e.g. audit trails, malpractice detection) and how you can meet the expectations of AAOs. You’ll be provided with a Quality Assurance checklist to support you in developing and maintaining a robust and fair process.
NCFE and The Assessment Network at Cambridge are combining our collective strengths to prepare and equip training providers for the future of apprenticeship assessments. With more flexible assessment models and methods comes a greater need, and a responsibility, for practitioners to make the best assessment decisions for their apprentices within the framework provided by Awarding Organisations. This course is designed to make the most of the opportunities now and in the future."
Dr Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training, The Assessment Network
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop series, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the principles of assessment and how to apply these to different forms of assessment
- Develop assessment tasks that follow good practice within the guidelines set out by Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations and in the assessment plan
- Make assessment judgements that are fair, reliable and based on set criteria
- Understand and apply quality assurance processes to support consistency, reliability, and compliance in apprenticeship assessment.
Workshop trainers
Dr Simon Child is Head of Assessment Training at The Assessment Network at Cambridge, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. He is also the co-course director for the Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Studies: Educational Assessment at the University of Cambridge. He works with schools, universities, ministries and professional bodies on developing assessment practices for the benefit of learners. In 2021, he co-authored the What, why and how of assessment: A guide for teachers and school leaders with Paul Ellis.
Previously, he was a Senior Research Officer in the Assessment Research and Development Division of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. His research interests include assessment ‘literacy’, formative assessment practices and professional development methodologies. His background is in developmental psychology. In 2011, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester, which focused on the development of symbolic cognition in pre-school children.
Helen Scanlan is NCFE’s Provider Development Manager. With over 30 years' experience in education, Helen has a number of specialities including Maths, English, vocational learning and teacher education. Helen is passionate about professional development for teachers and assessors. She wants to inspire fellow professionals to ensure their learners achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr Rebecca Conway is Director of Research and Innovation at NCFE. Rebecca is a vocational and technical education policy expert with more than 13 years’ experience in the sector. She has a longstanding interest in practitioner research and professional development and has trained hundreds of teachers, assessors and awarding organisation staff. She also supports professional learners with practitioner research projects through her role as a part-time Academic Supervisor on the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Education Studies: Educational Assessment.
Patricia Devlin, Provider Development Officer, has over 26 years of experience in education. Patricia's specialist areas include English, Media Studies and Music. Patricia is passionate about inclusive education, in particular SEND and EAL. She is committed to supporting teaching and learning and sharing best practice.
Rachel Webster, Provider Development Officer, has over 20 years’ experience in IT, Quality, Business and Assessing. Rachel’s specialist areas include information technology, quality assurance, business development and assessment practices, drawing on her extensive background in the IT and business sectors before moving into professional development.
Charmaine Phelps is a Provider Development officer at NCFE. Over the past 6 years at NCFE she has supported teachers and assessors with Functional Skills qualifications and delivered monthly training sessions virtually and face to face.
FAQs
What changes are coming to apprenticeship assessment in England?
Apprenticeship assessment in England is moving from end-point tests to a more flexible system that allows assessment throughout the apprenticeship, including assessments carried out by training providers. The new “Apprenticeship Assessment” model will allow Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations greater freedom to design assessment methods, timing, and grading approaches suited to each occupation. Three types of assessment plans will be introduced: low-prescription plans for flexible design, more prescriptive plans for safety-critical or regulated roles, and qualification-only models where an existing qualification fully covers the apprenticeship outcomes. These changes will begin rolling out from October 2025.
Why train with The Assessment Network?
The Assessment Network at Cambridge is a global community of assessment professionals, committed to equipping practitioners with a clear understanding of core assessment principles and practices. Through accredited training, professional membership, and career development opportunities, we support individuals and organisations in becoming recognised, up-to-date assessment leaders.
We enable positive change by helping practitioners enhance the impact of assessment for learners, offering CPD courses, bespoke solutions, and professional recognition for every challenge and role. Trusted by over 1,000 organisations across 100 countries, and backed by world-class research from the University of Cambridge, we unite professionals who connect, share learning, and stand out as experts in their field.
How much does it cost?
Writing and evaluating effective multiple-choice questions costs £265 or you can receive a 10% discount on your booking as a Member.
I want to register my team, what’s the best way to do this?
If you’re looking to book five or more places on an upcoming workshop or workshop series, you can receive a group discount. Please get in touch for a quote.
How do I register?
If this workshop is currently available use the Book Now button to complete your registration on our booking platform. If the workshop is not available, you can register your interest.
How will I learn?
Live workshops are interactive, practical sessions offered online, either as standalone sessions or as part of a series.
Led by assessment experts, these sessions require live attendance, via our online learning site, providing opportunities for direct guidance and real-time answers to your questions. These practical explorations and discussions with your assessment peers will help transform your assessment practice.
Will I be able to discuss the workshop topic during the session?
You can engage regularly throughout the online workshops via chat boxes, breakout rooms, polls, and quizzes.
What level of English do I need to be able to complete the course?
The course is delivered in English so you are required to have sufficient competence in English to participate in the training. You should have English language competence comparable to Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We recommend a minimum requirement of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System. Further information may be obtained through the IELTS website.
My place on the workshop is now confirmed, what happens next?
Once you’ve completed your booking you’ll receive a confirmation email. Joining instructions for the workshop or series are normally sent after the booking deadline has passed.
What happens if I can't attend one of the sessions?
Attendance at all three sessions is strongly recommended. Should you miss a session, you'll be able to watch a recording of this missed session, but please note breakout rooms will not be recorded.
What kind of certification is available upon completion of the workshop?
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
How long will I have access to the recording/resources after the workshop ends?
Recordings, slides, and any extra resources will be available via the online learning site for 40 days for a standalone workshop or 90 days for a workshop series.