Cambridge Technicals summer 2022 results review: Key findings and recommendations
15 December 2022
The key findings and recommendations from OCR’s review into the delay of some Cambridge Technicals results this summer have been published.
The internal review explored why some students did not receive their results as expected on 18 August and makes important recommendations for ensuring Cambridge Technical results are issued on time in the future.
Jill Duffy, OCR Chief Executive, said: “When things go wrong with students’ results, it is vital that we learn, improve and do everything we can to avoid it happening again. I know first-hand from the calls I had with students, parents and teachers this summer, that delays in delivering some Cambridge Technicals results caused additional stress and anxiety at what was already a challenging time. I am truly sorry.”
Recommendations
The review’s recommendations include providing a dedicated ‘checkpoint’ report for schools and colleges before the end of the summer term, confirming whether students have achieved, or are set to achieve, the right units to be awarded a qualification.
Other recommendations include:
- Better data collection and data sharing arrangements with UCAS
- More concise and targeted communications and guidance for schools and colleges
- Further improvements to OCR’s risk management and governance
- Growing internal capacity and resource to support Cambridge Technicals in the summer.
School and college leaders, teacher associations, students and families were among those who provided comprehensive feedback about their experiences to OCR, helping develop the recommendations. The review was overseen by independent chair Professor Graham Virgo KC of the University of Cambridge.
Pragmatic approach
Jill Duffy said: “We’re very grateful to all those who contributed to this review, which rightly holds us to account. It pinpoints what went wrong this summer, and it takes a pragmatic approach to identifying improvements that will not only prevent a recurrence, but improve the wider experience for students, parents, schools and colleges. We accept its findings in full.”
OCR is now working at pace to implement the recommendations, in consultation with schools and colleges, to ensure delays to results don’t happen in the future.
OCR will be working with Ofqual and other awarding organisations to further align and harmonise processes for vocational qualifications to support these important and valued qualifications.