CIPS Examination Centres Approval Policy

Transcription

1 CIPS Examination Centres Approval Policy Introduction Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is an Awarding Body regulated by Ofqual, the qualification regulator for England and Northern Ireland. The Awarding Body is committed to high levels of quality assurance and policies that are open, transparent and free from bias and comply with Ofqual s General Conditions of Recognition. Overview The Awarding Body is committed to offering a high standard of assessment facilities for candidates globally ensuring candidates have access to appropriate venues. The security of the assessments is paramount and this policy details the principles for exam centre approval. CIPS reserves the right to reject an exam centre application without explanation. UK Provision a. Study centre obligation: UK approved study centres are expected to apply for examination centre approval within two years or sooner if they already have experience of administering examinations, including reasonable adjustments. b. Regional exam centres: The Awarding Body is responsible for ensuring that adequate arrangements are in place for the provision of examination opportunities, where it is reasonable and feasible, for all students who are not registered with an approved study centre; this is delivered by the CIPS team through a number of regional examination centres across the UK. It is not the remit of the regional centres to provide assessment venues for candidates who are registered with a CIPS approved study centre. c. Corporate venues: Where an approved study centre has a corporate contract, CIPS may approve the use of the corporate venue to host the examination providing that there is a reasonable number of candidates who wish to use the corporate venue during any one examination period; reasonable is deemed to be approximately 10 entries per examination period. 1

2 d. Invigilation: Invigilators at all centres must NOT be a: CIPS programme leader or CIPS subject tutor or relative, close friend or colleague of any examination candidate or line manager of any examination candidate. e. Invigilation at a corporate venue: In addition to the above, where a corporate venue has been approved, the invigilator must not be employed by the corporate and there must be a direct contract between the invigilator and the study centre. At all times the study centre is responsible for the assessment event and CIPS will not enter into an agreement with a third party. All costs associated with the provision of a corporate venue are the responsibility of the study centre. f. UK study centres operating overseas: A UK study centre operating internationally should operate under the UK principles even when the examination or study centre is located outside of the UK. In such circumstances the centre can access the British Council centres (regular and special) providing that the cost is covered by the study centre and / or student. International Provision The approval of examination centres is separate from the approval of a study centre and registered study centres are not automatically approved as an examination centre. Where possible, CIPS seeks to provide its international examinations through the British Council. a. Study centres approved as examination centres: Where there has been a historical practice or where there is no British Council provision, CIPS may approve a registered study centre to act as an examination centre. b. British Council regular centres: Such centres seek to provide examination opportunities for the majority of CIPS students in their region irrespective of where/how they are studying. Such centres are set up to provide opportunities for the majority of students at pre-determined venues. c. British Council special centres: Where a student is not able to attend a study centre approved as an examination centre, or a British Council regular centre, CIPS will try to facilitate an ad-hoc special 2

3 examination centre. Such centres are established on request and incur additional costs which must be borne by the candidates or the study centre to which that candidate is attached. d. Corporate venues: CIPS will not normally approve corporate venues for internationally registered study centres as this requirement is covered by the British Council special centre provision. Exceptional Provision [UK and International] There are certain circumstances where, for reasons beyond their control, candidates are not able to access or use a regular centre. Such circumstances include: place of residence such as serving in the armed forces (on ship, submarine etc.) candidates requiring special facilities or not able to physically access a centre because of a disability. Where a candidate is registered with an approved or registered study centre, the study centre is responsible for any special arrangements in order to provide assessment opportunities to that candidate. The assessment centre may be a corporate venue subject to meeting the invigilation requirements. Where a candidate is not registered with a study centre, CIPS is responsible for facilitating the assessment, where it is feasible and reasonable and maintains the integrity of the assessment. In exceptional circumstances and with prior approval, CIPS may allow a private centre providing an independent invigilator is used. Approval of examination centres Providing the application criteria have been met and when a completed application has been received, the Assessment Services Team is responsible for recommending potential examination centres to the Awarding Body. All new examination centres will be approved by the Centre Approval Panel. Where a centre is not approved by the Centre Approval Panel, clear reasons will be provided to the applicant. When a centre is approved, CIPS will enter into a contract with the centre. 3

4 Examination centre application criteria: i. UK based study centres: the centre is an approved study centre and there is a reasonable demand for the additional examination centre or there is a requirement necessitating a special invigilation provision the centre will protect the integrity of the examination and has: a clear management structure a proven track record in the provision of examinations a suitable venue a sufficiently secure storage for examination material a suitable invigilator. ii UK regional examination centres: there is no regional centre within a suitable travelling distance there is a reasonable demand for the additional examination centre or there is a reasonable adjustment requirement necessitating a special invigilation provision. iii. International centres: the centre has a proven history with CIPS and has been a registered study centre for a minimum of three years and there are no British Council/ Regional centre venues within a suitable travelling distance there is a reasonable demand for the additional examination centre or there is a reasonable adjustment requirement necessitating a special invigilation provision and the centre will protect the integrity of the examination and has: a clear management structure a proven track record in the provision of examinations a suitable venue a sufficiently secure storage for examination material a suitable invigilator. 4

5 Application process and timescales Requests for examination centres should be submitted to the UK Assessment Service Team with the relevant documentation. Application forms (SC4) should accompany all requests for exam centre approval. Applications should be submitted as soon as a demand has been identified; this is likely to be at the registration for learning stage. For inclusion in exam entry forms, exam centres must be approved and a completed exam centre contract agreed at least 7 months prior to the assessment date. Due to the exam production, any exam centre that has not been approved and a completed exam centre contract agreed at least 4 months prior to the exam date, will not be open for entry. Kate Tomlinson Head of Awarding Body 5