Level 4 Award in the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice
2025-08-12 10:00 - 2025-08-13 16:00 (Europe/London) | Online
This Level 4 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical quality assurance skills helping them to become effective quality assurance practitioners in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom. This course covers both ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ and has an option for a top-up for ‘Lead Quality Assurance’ roles. We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and some will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete two modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills. These modules require 2 days of taught sessions and then for delegates to gather evidence from their own professional practice before returning to a 1:1 portfolio review.

Total attendance time is 2 days of delivery and then a separate 1:1 session once all evidence has been gathered and submitted.

All delegates must have access to a suitably qualified mentor who can offer advice, support and guidance during the practical application and portfolio creation.

Course Options – Dates and times are as follows:

Course Option 1 – 12 & 13 August 2025 (10.00 – 4.00 online)
Course Option 2 – 09 & 23 October 2025 (10.00 – 4.00 online)
Course Option 3 – 01 & 08 December 2025 (10.00 – 4.00)

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice
2025-08-12 10:00 - 2025-08-14 16:00, 2026-05-12 10:00 - 2026-05-26 16:00 | Online
This Level 4 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical quality assurance skills helping them to become effective quality assurance practitioners in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom. This course covers both ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ and ‘Lead Quality Assurance’ roles.

We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and some will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete three modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills. These modules require 3 days of taught sessions and then for delegates to gather evidence from their own professional practice before returning to a 1:1 portfolio review.

Delivery is made up of 3 mandatory modules as follows:

Understanding the Principles and Practices of Internally Assuring the Quality of
Assessment
Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment
Plan, allocate and Monitor Work in Own Area of Responsibility

Total attendance time is 3 days of delivery and then a separate 1:1 session once all evidence has been gathered and submitted.
All delegates must have access to a suitably qualified mentor who can offer advice, support and guidance during the practical application and portfolio creation.

Understanding Apprenticeship Financial Management
2025-08-18 10:00 - 2025-08-22 12:00 | Online
Apprenticeship financial management is complex.

Do you, and your organisation, know whether your provision is modelled effectively and profitable? Do you meet the compliance obligations for pricing and costs?

Getting your apprenticeship pricing right is essential for DfE compliance but perhaps more importantly for operating a financially sound apprenticeship programme. This three part webinar series is designed for role holders working in finance or operations to understand the funding methodology in apprenticeships, the compliance obligations and benefits of effective implementation.

For example:

How do you measure whether a new apprenticeship standard is financially viable for you to deliver?
Are you clear on what the apprenticeship actually costs you to deliver and where a profit margin can be made?
Can you forecast revenue effectively and identify profitability?
Are you clear on what are eligible and ineligible costs and that you aren’t overclaiming or underclaiming funding?
Are you reporting your training price breakdown correctly to the employer?
How do you recognise the apprentice’s prior learning and reflect this in your costings?
Are you applying the correct training price for your own employees (which must be at cost price)?

Session 1 – The funding model in England and funded components
Session 2 – Apprenticeship costs and pricing
Session 3 – Necessary infrastructure and variables

In the webinar series, we’ll help you to understand:

the apprenticeship funding model in England
understand price components of training and assessment
eligible and ineligible costs, how to identify these at a budget level and implement an effective offer to an employer
cost models and options
the importance of effective contracts with employers
the role of employer co-investment and models of collection to ensure compliance
Additional funding components: additional payments and learning support
the impact of prior learning on cost models
Employer-provider variables

You will receive a CPD attendance certificate after the series, as evidence of your personal development.

Booking

You can either attend the live sessions or be sent the recording and materials if you prefer to review them in your own time.

If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice).

SDN CPD is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.

If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.

Unable to make date / times? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording and materials.

Who is this in-depth webinar for?

This series is for anyone involved in the development of apprenticeship budgeting and financial operations. This could, for example, include finance staff, compliance staff, employer-facing staff, business development teams, commercial leads, senior managers / decision-makers.

Note: This programme is a 25/26 update to our previously delivered series on understanding apprenticeship costings.

Facilitators and speakers

The session will be facilitated by David Lockhart-Hawkins, SDN’s funding and compliance expert will facilitate this series. After working in the sector for over 20 years, David has supported hundreds of providers to establish effective compliance systems. His in-depth understanding of funding and wider apprenticeship delivery gives him a unique insight into compliance across the organisation.

Why an SDN webinar?

SDN has directly supported 5,000 apprenticeship staff, from 1,000 organisations, to prepare to deliver apprenticeship standards and end-point assessment. We’ve also worked closely with over 80 of the trailblazer employer groups, giving us a unique insight into what is required.

Payment

To keep prices down, payment for this event must be made online via credit card (book below). If you are a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority) who is unable to book via card, please email us on: events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions

The Terms and Conditions (including our refund policy) for SDN courses, events and webinars can be found here. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)

Any questions, please email: events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk.

Apprenticeship compliance for your role
2025-10-06 14:00 - 2025-10-09 15:30 | Online
Everyone involved in apprenticeship delivery should understand the fundamentals of apprenticeship compliance.

Whether you’re involved in training, curriculum design, quality assurance, employer engagement or administration – understanding what ESFA compliance means for your role is crucial in helping the organisation to draw down the right funding and mitigate risks.

Designed around the latest version of the funding rules and updated in-year, this three-part series is designed to introduce all apprenticeship staff to the core apprenticeship rules and where their role fits in the compliance journey.

Part 1 will look at the typical apprentice journey, the core rules that matter and common solutions seen, including the importance of the little details and core parts of the evidence pack.

Part 2 will look at common errors and build an understanding of risk awareness as part of a transparent compliance culture.

Part 3 will open the floor to core questions and discussions of best practice.

You will receive a CPD attendance certificate after the series, as evidence of your personal development.

This series, led by David Lockhart-Hawkins, will help you to:

Understand the core compliance rules for Apprenticeships
Understand how they fit into the typical apprentice journey
Know how funding works and what this means for your role
Keep an eye out for common errors
How to mitigate funding risks

Participants will also receive a useful workbook that highlights the key areas of the learning journey.

This series takes place on Monday 6 October (2-3.30pm), Wednesday 8 October (2-3.30pm) and Thursday 9 October (2-3.30pm).

If there are any dates/times where you aren’t available, register anyway and we’ll send you the recording and slides.

Booking Information

To enable your organisation to make the most of the training we have set the following price structure:

Single ticket: £195 + VAT

Group ticket: £395 + VAT

Do you have a team who would all benefit from attending? This ticket allows for 10 registrations, we want all your team to benefit.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss a price for a larger group.

Who is this webinar series for?

Perfect for new starts across all departments as well as those requiring a refresher, this is designed for all staff involved in administrating or delivering apprenticeships so they can develop a healthy understanding of compliance and how it relates to their job role.

Facilitators and speakers

David Lockhart-Hawkins, SDN’s funding and compliance expert will facilitate this session.

After working in the sector for over 20 years, David has supported hundreds of providers to establish effective compliance systems. His in-depth understanding of funding and wider apprenticeship delivery gives him a unique insight into compliance across the organisation.

SDN’s CPD is drawn from its work with over 1,000 apprenticeship providers and thousands of staff – giving you a unique insights into practices that can drive the quality of your provision. Our sessions are also intensely practical – equipping you with the knowledge and resources to act and make improvements in your role and organisation.

Payment

To keep costs down, payment for the webinar series must be made online via credit card (book below). If you are a Local Authority, and unable to book via card, please email us on: events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions

The Terms and Conditions (including our refund policy) for SDN events and webinars can be found here. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)

Any questions, please email the SDN events team: events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk.

AmplifyFE Community Space: How Can We Increase Engagement in Maths with Interactive Technologies?
2025-12-05 12:00 - 12:30
Many maths learners find it difficult to connect with abstract course content, and as a result, not only do they struggle to learn the material, but they can also become demotivated, anxious, and disengaged. Fortunately, learning technologies for maths make lessons much more “touchable”, visual, and relevant, offering an effective means of engaging and motivating students, deepening their understanding of fundamental concepts, and reinforcing learning through practice.

In this session, we’ll explore some of the ways interactive maths technology can be used effectively in the classroom, from illuminating visualisations to interactive, learner-led activities that naturally foster investigation, collaboration, and discussion. Demonstrations will be done using Maple Learn, the online maths tool from Maplesoft, with examples taken from the A-Level and GCSE content collections, which conform to the AQA and Pearson exam specifications. These collections make it easy for educators to deliver engaging, interactive maths experiences to their learners through the use of customisable content created to meet the specific needs of their class.

Webinar leader: Karishma Punwani

Understanding 2025/26 Apprenticeship Funding Rules
2026-01-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The apprenticeship funding rules and requirements are updated annually and impact on the paperwork and processes which providers need to adopt.
At this easy-to-follow seminar, which is suitable for beginners as much as it is for seasoned apprenticeship professionals, we will look the funding rules, regulations and guidance impacting on apprenticeships.
The seminar format encourages delegate participation and aims to ensure that attendees get reliable guidance and advice.
As part of the day’s agenda we will:

Ensure that your organisation has the knowledge to fully comply with the funding rules and requirements for 2025/26.
Improve your understanding of the expectations around initial assessment, programme planning, prior learning, negotiated price expectations, the adjustment of programme content and duration, the evidence pack requirements and apprenticeship audit expectations.
Discuss funding bands, the timing of payments, co-investment, incentives, learning support, care learners and English and maths.

Led by an experienced member of the Solvendis Audit, Data and Compliance team the seminar will be of particular relevance to independent training providers, employer providers, universities and colleges.

Inclusion - Responding Effectively to Ofsted's Expectations
2026-03-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The recent introduction of Ofsted’s revised inspection framework has firmly shone the spotlight of inspection onto Inclusion. Although Inclusion has always been considered in an inspection, it was embedded within other aspects of provision; recruitment, participation, equality, diversity or achievement.

Inclusion isn’t about any one single initiative – inspectors want to see how well training providers develop an inclusive culture, how leadership support inclusive education and how learner needs are identified and responded to.

This session aims to develop a providers understanding of Ofsted’s expectations around inclusion and to build confidence in applying inclusive practices across curriculum, teaching, support and leadership.

As part of this session, we will consider:

The expectations of Ofsted

What they expect to see
What they have reported so far
What makes an exceptional judgement?

Strategies for structure and support

A culture of inclusion
Practice and policy
Mechanisms for review
Measuring and understanding impact

Identifying and recording learner vulnerabilities

What makes a learner vulnerable?
What does your data tell you?
What are your patterns of attendance?

QAR – Understanding and Calculating Achievement Rates
2026-04-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The calculation of the QAR (Qualification Achievement Rate), pass and retention rates are seen by many as the absolute definition of dark arts in the FE and Skills sector. At this focused workshop we will reveal all enabling managers, MIS and Compliance staff to understand QAR and make accurate QAR calculations for your organisation.

The workshop will be practical in nature and will give delegates:

A clear understanding of the principles of QAR and the business rules applied by the DfE
Worked examples of how the hybrid year-end impacts the QAR calculation
An understanding of the impact planned and actual end dates have on QAR outcomes
Guidance on how to benchmark your QAR performance against sector norms for the Standards you deliver
Review and practical application of pass and retention rates
How to effectively forecast future years using the data and tools available
Linkage to the Accountability Framework and benchmarking data

The workshop will also provide guidance on the strategies which can be adopted when planning and delivering programmes

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (Fast-track)
2026-04-27 10:00 - 2026-05-12 16:00 | Online
We are pleased to be able to offer an effective response to the need to develop the teaching and training skills of staff working in Post-16 education.
The programme will focus on those aspects of training so essential in ensuring sound learning. Participants will benefit from a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the education and training sector. They will develop their teaching and training skills through a clear understanding of inclusive teaching and learning, and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate learning which meets the needs of all learners.
Participants attend for 4 workshop days, which include a microteach, and assignment completion. Assessment will be via portfolio, assignment and observation.
Dates of attendance are 27 & 28 April and 11 & 12 May 2026 (all days 10.00 – 4.00).
Maximum delegate number 12
Delegate fee £455 plus £62 registration fee (plus vat)

Designated Safeguarding Lead Training
2026-05-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Online
A provider’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) plays a critical role in its approach to safeguarding its learners, training its staff, providing support and guidance and taking responsibility for referral decisions – as well as dealing with Ofsted! Although legislation focuses on the protection of children and vulnerable adults, providers have a responsibility to protect all learners.
This course will provide information about what the role involves and is designed for staff new to the role and for those wanting to update their knowledge. It includes direct delivery and a range of scenario-based activities to consider.
Key outcomes of the day:

Understand the implications of Keeping Children Safe in Education and revised Ofsted expectations
Know the likely roles of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
Be able to recognise and respond to disclosures sensitively and efficiently
Know how and when to share information with other organisations
Implementing safer recruitment strategies including the use of DBS checks
Know how to deal with allegations that involve staff
Know the key policies, statute and inspection guidance that underpin the Prevent duty
Making referrals under the Prevent Duty

The programme will be delivered by a member of the Solvendis Quality Improvement and Inspection Team and serving inspector.
All delegates will receive a Solvendis certificate of attendance which documents the training content.

Level 4 Award in the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice
2026-05-12 10:00 - 2026-05-19 16:00 | Online
This Level 4 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical quality assurance skills helping them to become effective quality assurance practitioners in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom. This course covers both ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ and has an option for a top-up for ‘Lead Quality Assurance’ roles. We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and some will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete two modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills. These modules require 2 days of taught sessions and then for delegates to gather evidence from their own professional practice before returning to a 1:1 portfolio review.

Total attendance time is 2 days of delivery and then a separate 1:1 session once all evidence has been gathered and submitted.
All delegates must have access to a suitably qualified mentor who can offer advice, support and guidance during the practical application and portfolio creation.

Dates and times are as follows:

12 & 19 March 2026 (10.00 – 4.00 online)

Level 4 Award in the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice
2026-05-12 10:00 - 2026-05-19 16:00 | Online
This Level 4 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical quality assurance skills helping them to become effective quality assurance practitioners in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom. This course covers both ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ and has an option for a top-up for ‘Lead Quality Assurance’ roles. We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and some will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete two modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills. These modules require 2 days of taught sessions and then for delegates to gather evidence from their own professional practice before returning to a 1:1 portfolio review.

Total attendance time is 2 days of delivery and then a separate 1:1 session once all evidence has been gathered and submitted.
All delegates must have access to a suitably qualified mentor who can offer advice, support and guidance during the practical application and portfolio creation.

Course Dates and times are as follows:

12 & 19 May (10.00 – 4.00)

Level 4 Certificate in Leading the IQA of Assessment Processes and Practice
2026-05-12 10:00 - 2026-05-26 16:00 | Online
This Level 4 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical quality assurance skills helping them to become effective quality assurance practitioners in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom. This course covers both ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ and ‘Lead Quality Assurance’ roles.

We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and some will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete three modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills. These modules require 3 days of taught sessions and then for delegates to gather evidence from their own professional practice before returning to a 1:1 portfolio review.

Delivery is made up of 3 mandatory modules as follows:

Understanding the Principles and Practices of Internally Assuring the Quality of
Assessment
Internally Assure the Quality of Assessment
Plan, allocate and Monitor Work in Own Area of Responsibility

Total attendance time is 3 days of delivery and then a separate 1:1 session once all evidence has been gathered and submitted.
All delegates must have access to a suitably qualified mentor who can offer advice, support and guidance during the practical application and portfolio creation.

Dates and Times of attendance:

12, 19 & 26 March 2026 (all days 10.00 – 4.00)

Preparing for an Apprenticeship Audit
2026-05-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The responsibility for identifying irregularities in the claims process, in part rests with the DfEs Provider Risk and Assurance Team who have been instrumental in recovering millions of pounds from providers through the extrapolated clawback process.
In addition, the DfE undertake desktop Financial Audits on your monthly returns with a view to identifying errors, inconsistencies and potential overclaims.
At this important seminar we will talk through the audit requirements of the apprenticeship model, giving you tips and advice to ensure that your paperwork is robust and that you are prepared for the audit review.
The seminar will cover:

The DfE Audit Process and what you can expect
The Sample Testing Process, error reporting and the potential consequences of
getting it wrong
The key documentation you will need to have available and the importance of
ensuring its compliance with the funding guidance and audit requirements
The importance of using PDSATs and key Funding Monitoring Reports;

Effective use of PDSAT and Monitoring Reports
2026-06-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
The DfE provide a suite of tools and reports to allow providers to conduct regular assurance and data checks to ensure they meet the funding rules and rectify anomalies in the ILR data
At this seminar, we will look in detail at the new Provider Data Self-Assessment Toolkit (PDSAT) Online Toolkit, Funding Information System (FIS) and key submission reports
The seminar will explain how the Provider Market Oversight Assurance (PMOA) team utilises PDSAT reports, along with how providers should use them in preparing for a PMOA assurance review
The seminar will provide reliable guidance and advice in the planning and usage of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports in your ongoing internal assurance reviews
The seminar format encourages delegate participation and aims to ensure that attendees get reliable guidance and advice in the planning and usage of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports in your ongoing internal assurance reviews.
As part of the day’s agenda we will:

ensure that your organisation has the knowledge to ensure full understanding of the PDSAT, FIS, FRM and submission reports for the academic year.
improve your understanding of the expectations around the tools and reports available to ensure appropriate control mechanisms are in place to provide assurance on your ILR data.
identify key submission reports and how to use them effectively, including the suite of FRM reports and any recent changes.
Provide guidance on the correction of data errors.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (Fast Track)
2026-06-18 10:00 - 2026-06-26 12:00 | Online
We are pleased to be able to offer an effective response to the need to develop the teaching and training skills of staff working in Post-16 education.
The programme will focus on those aspects of training so essential in ensuring sound learning. Participants will benefit from a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the education and training sector. They will develop their teaching and training skills through a clear understanding of inclusive teaching and learning, and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate learning which meets the needs of all learners.
Participants attend for 4 workshop days, which include a microteach, and assignment completion. Assessment will be via portfolio, assignment and observation.
Dates of attendance are 23 & 24 February and 9 & 10 March 2026 (all days 10.00 – 4.00).
Delegate fee £455 (plus vat) plus £62 awarding body registration fee – maximum delegate number 12.

Inclusion – Responding Effectively to Ofsted’s Expectations
2026-06-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Online

Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection (new framework)
2026-07-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
This seminar will have new content which focuses on the revised expectations of Providers arising out of the implementation of Ofsted’s new inspection framework.

New style inspections commenced at the beginning of November, incorporating report cards and a revised grading structure.

The guidance given in the seminar will be inciteful and reflects both inspector training and involvement in inspections.

Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
2026-10-06 10:00 - 2026-10-13 13:00 | Online
This Level 3 accredited qualification is designed to develop delegates practical assessing skills helping them to become effective assessors in a range of Post-16 contexts both in the workplace and in the classroom.

We anticipate that delegates will already be working in post-16 education as a teacher/ trainer/assessor or coach. Delegates may have a strong vocational background and will have moved into teaching/ assessing as a secondary career.

Through participation in this important strand of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence programme you will complete three modules to help you develop and craft your assessment skills.

Delivery will be led by an experienced member of the Solvendis Teacher Training Team with all workshops being conducted online via Teams or Zoom.

Workshop Dates and Times: 2 & 9 June 2026 (10.00 – 4.00 online).

Delegate fee £455 (plus vat) plus £78 awarding body registration fee – maximum 12 delegates.
