Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2025

In this guide we use the term schools and colleges to refer to schools, colleges and other exam or assessment centres. Where this guide refers to “you” it is referring to a school or college that offers qualifications regulated by Ofqual. We expect the main users of this guide to be those supporting students through their qualifications. 

This guide covers qualifications typically taken in an academic year, in schools or colleges, and reported in the Department for Educations performance tables, including GCSEs, AS and A levels, Technical Qualifications within a T Level and vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs). Some of the information is qualification specific and we make it clear where information only applies to a certain type of qualification.

This guide does not cover on demand assessments such as Functional Skills Qualifications, English for Speakers of Other Languages, apprenticeship end-point assessments and other VTQs not included in the Department for Education’s performance tables. 

This guide should be read in conjunction with any awarding organisation or Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) guidance relevant to your qualifications. For qualification specific queries, you should speak to the relevant awarding organisation.