Ofqual replaces QCA
Andrew Hatt, LCM Exams Qualifications Officer, outlines the changes to the regulatory bodies accrediting and monitoring RGT's exams…
It’s several years since I last provided an accreditation update for Guitar Tutor. During that period the RGT/LCM acoustic guitar graded exams have been accredited, joining the classical, electric and bass guitar exams on the National Qualifications Framework and earning UCAS points for university entrance at higher grades. The recently-launched electric guitar teaching diplomas – DipLCM(TD), ALCM(TD) and LLCM(TD) – have also been accredited, the first such qualifications to receive this official recognition, and a significant stamp of approval for guitar teachers who achieve these awards. There are several other developments in this area that may be of interest to guitar teachers.
NEW REGULATOR
The government has recently established a new, independent regulator of qualifications, examinations and tests in England, named Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator). It is therefore now Ofqual (rather than QCA) that accredits and monitors our examinations in England. This makes no difference to the accreditation of our exams, but you will notice that Ofqual's logo now appears on our certificates in place of the QCA logo. DCELLS and CCEA continue to accredit and monitor our qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.
QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF), onto which our exams are accredited, is soon to be replaced by the new Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF). The new framework will show the size of qualifications as well as their standard, and aims to provide more flexibility for learners. To show size, all qualifications will be assigned a credit value, with each credit representing 10 notional learning hours. We are currently in the process of submitting all qualifications for accreditation on the QCF. Again, no changes to our examination requirements or procedures are anticipated, although there will be certain revisions to the wording on certificates.
14-19 DIPLOMAS
The government has launched a range of new diploma qualifications, as an alternative to the traditional GCSE and A’ level route. LCM’s accredited qualifications – including those in classical, electric, bass and acoustic guitar – have been approved as ‘additional and specialist learning’ for the 14-19 diplomas, and successful LCM/RGT candidates will thus be able to use their graded exams towards the diplomas.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Information about accredited exams is available on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications – www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk. As Thames Valley University is the awarding body for LCM/RGT exams, details relating to LCM/RGT qualifications can be viewed by typing ‘TVU’ into the qualifications search box. For further information you can contact me at LCM Examinations via 020 8231 2615 or andrew.hatt@tvu.ac.uk.
