*PLEASE BE AWARE: THIS BLOG POST CONTAINS MENTIONS OF ADAPTATIONS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED AS A COVID-19 MEASURE, THESE ADAPTATIONS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/23, IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXAMS AND ASSESSMENTS, THE USE OF ADAPTATIONS IS NO LONGER PERMITTED TO ASSIST IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC OR IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES*

We understand that the covid pandemic has had a big impact and presented extra pressures to Centres and their learners. Last year, one of our main focuses was providing clear and consistent communication with our Centres delivering Design, Engineer Construct to ensure guidance and support is available when needed. With the ongoing pandemic impacting Centres and learners, this continues to be one of our commitments in the 2021/22 academic year.

Firstly, for Centres that had learners awarded on a DEC! qualification in 2020/21, the deadline to submit an appeal is 17th September 2021. Once we’ve passed the appeals deadline, we’ll begin issuing certificates for the 2020/21 academic year. 

We recently sent out communication regarding updates to the Level 1 and Level 2 DEC! qualifications. This update highlights our decision to increase the Total Qualification Time (TQT) for both qualifications from 160 TQT to 240 TQT, among other things. We encourage all Centres that deliver or will be delivering an affected qualification to read the full blog post here.

Finally, we can now provide further clarity regarding the January Assessment Opportunity provided to those learners who received a TAG in the 2020/21 academic year. Learners will have the opportunity to complete an exam in our January 2021 window. The exam will take place on January 18th 2022, at 09:00. Learners will also be expected to submit a complete portfolio as per the specification as part of this process. The portfolio submission date will be 31st January 2022. Both components will contribute 50% to the final grade. 

Where the outcome is higher than the TAG awarded in 2020/21, an updated grade and certificate will be issued for the learner.

This opportunity will be provided free of charge and is open to all learners who received a TAG in 2020/21 for our Level 2 and Level 3 Design, Engineer, Construct qualifications. 

Design, Engineer, Construct 2021/22

Ofqual has released the results of their consultation for the assessment and awarding of vocational, technical and other general qualifications in 2022.

“Results for exams and other assessments taken after 1 September 2021 will not be based on Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) for qualifications which previously fell into Category B. Awarding organisations will, however, be permitted to make adaptations to their assessments and qualifications to assist in mitigating the ongoing impact of the pandemic.”

Following the conclusion of this consultation, we can confirm that our Level 2 and Level 3 DEC qualifications will return to standard assessment arrangements, with learners being expected to complete both an exam and portfolio component. Ofqual has permitted adaptations to mitigate any potential ongoing impacts of the pandemic. To support our research into potential adaptations, it would be great if you could complete this survey.

We’re also aware of the increasing variety of Centres choosing to deliver the Level 1 DEC qualification. We’ve therefore added a submission window for the Level 1 Portfolio in January. This will enable Centres that delivery outside of the academic timetable to have their learners awarded promptly.

Key Dates 2021/22

Please find details below regarding the key dates in the Design, Engineer, Construct calendar for 2021/22. While we’re happy to confirm most of our submission dates, we’ll be waiting for further communication from the Department for Education regarding GCSE and A-Levels before publishing dates for our January and May exams at Level 2 and Level 3. 

Level 1 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct

January Portfolio Submission

Registration Deadline – 24th November 2021
Learner Attainment Record Submitted – 17th January 2022
Sample Request Issued – 17th January 2022
Submission date – 31st January 2022

May Portfolio Submission

Registration Deadline – 31st March 2022
Learner Attainment Record Submitted – 10th May 2022
Sample Request Issued – 10th May 2022
Submission date – 24th May 2022

Level 2 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct
Level 3 Certificate in Design, Engineer, Construct
Level 3 Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct

January Exam Submission

Registration Deadline – 24th November 2021
Reasonable Adjustment Deadline – 1st December 2021
Exam Date and Time – TBC

May Exam/Portfolio Submission

Registration Deadline – 31st March 2022
Reasonable Adjustment Deadline – 7th April 2022
Learner Attainment Record Submitted – 10th May 2022
Sample Request Issued – 10th May 2022
Exam Date and Time – TBC
Portfolio Submission date – 24th May 2022