Dear Centres,

As you will be aware the Department for Education and Ofqual commenced a joint consultation on Friday 15th January about alternative arrangements for the award of Vocational and Technical Qualifications (VTQs) in 2021 following the cancellation of exams and centre closures. The consultation covers general and vocational qualifications, with the linked document focusing on the latter. It is important that centres, assessors and parents are aware of and respond to the positions upon which the consultation is based, as it does not propose a simple repeat of the outcomes from the Summer Term 2020 – that being adapted assessments or Calculated Grades for the relevant ESB International assessments that were affected in the summer of 2020. 

As ever we will contact centres directly and place updates on our website when we are in a position to share any outcomes. We will be contacting a range of centres to seek their feedback as to what we feel might be the impact on our work together and are happy to receive any views via product@esbuk.org.

The consultation closes 11:45pm on 29 January 2021.

Tina Renshaw
Chief Executive
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.