Distance – Highfield Level 4 Award in the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice – EQA qualification

Staff will learn about the processes and procedures of  External Quality Assurance (EQA), including centre visit planning, EQA report writing, working with Awarding Organisations and supporting centres to improve their quality in assessment.

The Award has 2 mandatory units which must be fully completed to gain the qualification:

• Unit 1 – Understanding the principles and practices of External Quality Assurance
• Unit 2 – Externally assure the quality of assessment

Further information can be found in the Highfield qualification specification.

Unit 1: Understanding the principles and practices of externally assuring the quality of assessment

The aim of this unit is to assess knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices that underpin the external quality assurance of assessment.

Staff must complete of a short portfolio of evidence that must cover all assessment criteria  which includes a series of activities and knowledge questions which are submitted for assessment. They will receive feedback on their work and the opportunity to resubmit if further evidence is required.

Unit 2: Externally assure the quality of assessment

The aim of this unit is to assess performance in assuring the quality of assessment from outside an organisation or assessment centre, usually on behalf of an awarding organisation.

All learning outcomes in this unit must be assessed using methods appropriate to the EQA trainee’s performance.

These must include:

• observation of performance
• examining products of work
• questioning

Direct evidence of this kind may be supplemented, where necessary, by professional discussion, reflective accounts or witness testimony. Simulations are not allowed. To generate evidence, trainees must be carrying out external quality assurance of organisations or assessment centres.

EQA trainee’s will have 12 months from enrolment to complete the qualification, although many complete earlier.

EQA trainee’s will be allocated a named assessor who will provide unlimited online support throughout the qualification. They will have a face to face online induction with their assessor to plan first steps and answer any questions. Further tutorials can be arranged with their assessor, either face to face, online or via telephone, as required.

The price includes:

• Expert advice and support from a highly experienced trainer
• Course materials
• Unlimited online support via Teams
• Registration and certification

There are no hidden charges with this qualification. The observation with the assessor is included in the price. This ensures that Best for Training fully meets the observation requirements set by the Awarding Organisation and the Education and Training Foundation.

On successful completion of this qualification, qualified EQA ‘s may wish to continue their development by completing Highfield Level 4 Certificate in Leading the External Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (RQF).