ASCL recognises the scale and ambition of the government’s reform programme following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the corresponding need to ensure that awarding organisations possess the capability, governance and resilience required to deliver these new high-stakes national qualifications securely and to a consistently high standard.

ASCL supports the principle of a clear and robust recognition framework, particularly given the consultation’s emphasis on nationally-set content, coherent grading approaches, and the long-term intention for these qualifications to hold parity of esteem with A levels and T levels in the reformed post-16 landscape.

We also welcome Ofqual’s commitment to protecting the interests of students, employers and higher education providers by ensuring that only organisations with proven capacity and capability enter the market, especially for the first tranche of qualifications planned for first teaching in 2027.

However, ASCL is concerned that the proposed criteria may significantly limit the number of awarding organisations able to secure recognition for the initial rollout, creating potential risks relating to market concentration, operational resilience and equitable access for learners across regions.

Full response to consultation