HOW TO ACHIEVE A RELEASE AT NSS

1
HOW TO ACHIEVE A RELEASE AT NSS

• NQF BTEC Levels 2 3
• (including Short Courses at Levels 1-3)

2
Introduction to National Standards Sampling

• NSS is a quality assurance process which ensures
  that
• National standards are maintained
• Assignments are valid and fit for purpose
• Assessment decisions are accurate, valid and
  reliable
• NSS
• Confirms that programme teams are assessing to
  national standards
• Guarantees to learners and end users that
  certificated outcomes are common nationwide
• Is open to audit by QCA auditors

3
Timelines Overview
NB. Centres should inform Edexcel where they are
running roll on, roll off short courses that do
not follow the standard academic year
4
NSS Programme Area Titles

• Sampling will be based on Programme Area Titles
  (PATs)
• Each PAT will contain all programmes at Levels 2
  and 3 (and Short Courses Level 1-3) of a subject
  sector with the same title, e.g.
• ND, NC, NA, FD, FC in Art and Design
• ND, NC, NA, FD, FC in Travel and Tourism
• And BTEC Short Courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3 with
  the same title, e.g.
• BTEC Award Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Customer Service

5
NSS External Verifiers

• Allocated External Verifiers will
• Contact centre BTEC Quality Nominees/Coordinators
• Liaise with BTEC Quality Nominee/Coordinators or
• Be directed to the subject specific programme
  manager
• Negotiate unit(s) to be sampled
• Agree dates and provide templates for despatch of
  postal sampling
• Agree dates for visits to sample creative arts
  subjects and sectors with licence to practise
  requirement

6
NSS Units to be Sampled

• Units will be taken from a range of
  qualifications in the PAT
• Units should not have been sampled in previous
  years NSS
• NSS can take place on whole or partial unit
  assessment (e.g. 3 or 4 grading criteria)
• NSS reports are submitted online and an automatic
  email alert is sent to the Quality Nominee
• If NSS blocks certification, the External
  Verifier will liaise with the programme team to
  arrange re-sampling
• If re-sample is blocked, Edexcel Quality Manager
  will intervene to provide support and agree
  action plan