Report cheating, malpractice or wrongdoing, Ofqual urges

With summer 2017 GCSE, AS and A level exams fast approaching, Ofqual is today (21 April) encouraging teachers, schools, parents and students to recognise the importance of reporting any evidence or suspicions of cheating, malpractice or wrongdoing.

To ensure the message is communicated as widely as possible, Ofqual is sending a suite of posters to secondary schools and colleges across England. The posters are also available below for schools to download if they wish.

A spokesperson for Ofqual said:

It’s our job to ensure that standards are maintained and to promote confidence in qualifications. Cheating, malpractice or wrongdoing undermines the hard work of students, teachers and schools. As well as sending out posters to schools, we’ve made improvements to our processes to make reporting easier, simpler and quicker.

If anyone has concerns about qualifications we regulate then we would urge them to contact the appropriate exam board or us straight away. All reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. If you see it or suspect it, report it.

Employees of exam boards, schools, colleges or training centres should first raise any concerns with their employer if they can. The GOV.UK website provides general information on whistleblowing.

If a concern is reported to Ofqual and relates to a school, college or training centre, Ofqual will ask the appropriate awarding organisation to investigate. If a concern relates to an awarding organisation itself, then Ofqual will investigate the matter.

Before reporting a suspected incidence of malpractice, those with concerns should read Ofqual’s whistleblowing policy.