1. Purpose and scope

This policy applies to candidates and prospective candidates using examination services provided by Intuition Exam Centres. It covers reasonable accessibility support relating to communication, premises, examination administration and access to services.

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2. Our accessibility principles

• We aim to treat candidates fairly and without unlawful discrimination.
• We will consider reasonable steps to reduce avoidable barriers.
• We will consider each candidate’s circumstances individually.
• Support is subject to the nature of the service, the examination rules and what can reasonably be provided at the centre.
• We will handle disability, medical and support information appropriately.

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3. Telling us about your needs

Candidates should tell us about accessibility requirements as early as possible and preferably before making an examination booking where the requirement may affect venue, room, equipment, staffing or examination arrangements.

Please provide enough information for us to understand the barrier and the type of support that may be required.

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4. Examination Access Arrangements

Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments intended to allow eligible candidates to access an assessment without changing the assessment objectives.

They are not automatically available because a candidate has a diagnosis or disability. Requests remain subject to suitable evidence, the candidate’s normal way of working, relevant JCQ or awarding-body rules, applicable deadlines and centre availability.

Where a requested arrangement cannot be provided, we will explain this and, where appropriate, discuss whether another permitted option is available.

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5. Facilities and practical support

Candidates should contact the centre in advance if they need to check physical access, seating, movement around the centre, communication requirements or other practical support.

Facilities and support are subject to the particular examination venue, room availability, staffing, equipment and safety requirements.

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6. Temporary injuries and medical needs

Candidates who develop a temporary injury or medical condition should contact the centre as soon as possible. We will consider what support may be possible within the relevant examination regulations and available resources.

Where appropriate, medical evidence or other supporting information may be required.

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7. Accessible communication

Where reasonably practicable, we will consider alternative ways of providing important examination information where a candidate has told us that a standard communication format creates an accessibility barrier.

Candidates remain responsible for reading and acting on examination confirmations, timetables, joining instructions and other important communications.

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8. Concerns and complaints

Accessibility concerns should initially be raised with the Exams Officer so that the issue can be reviewed. If the matter remains unresolved, the candidate may use the centre’s Complaints & Appeals Policy.

Questions about accessibility or Access Arrangements can be sent to examsofficer@intuitioncentres.com.

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1. Complaints – Purpose

This policy explains how candidates, parents, carers and other service users can raise a complaint about Intuition Exam Centres’ delivery or administration of a qualification or examination service.

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2. Complaints – What this policy covers

• examination administration and communication;
• booking or entry administration;
• candidate service and conduct of centre staff;
• examination venue arrangements;
• the centre’s implementation of published procedures;
• general concerns about delivery or administration of a qualification.

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3. Complaints – Matters dealt with under other procedures

• specified examination decision appeals – Internal Appeals Procedure;
• suspected malpractice – Malpractice Policy;
• safeguarding concerns – Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy;
• data protection complaints – Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice;
• protected disclosures by workers – Whistleblowing Policy;
• awarding organisation marking or grading decisions – relevant post-results or awarding organisation procedure.

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4. Complaints – Stage 1 – informal resolution

Where appropriate, the complainant should first raise the matter promptly with the Exams Officer so that an explanation or practical resolution can be considered.

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5. Complaints – Stage 2 – formal complaint

If the matter is serious, cannot reasonably be resolved informally or remains unresolved, email examsofficer@intuitioncentres.com with the subject ‘Formal Exams Complaint’.

• provide the candidate’s full name and candidate number where known;
• identify the examination, qualification or service concerned;
• explain what happened and the outcome sought;
• attach relevant evidence;
• raise the matter as soon as reasonably possible.

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6. Complaints – Acknowledgement and investigation

The centre will normally acknowledge a formal complaint within five working days. A proportionate investigation will be undertaken by an appropriate person. Where practicable, a person with a material conflict of interest will not determine the complaint.

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7. Complaints – Outcome

The centre aims to issue a written outcome within 20 working days of receiving sufficient information, where reasonably practicable.

• the complaint may be upheld, partly upheld or not upheld;
• the centre may correct an administrative error, apologise, review a procedure or take other proportionate action;
• the complaints process cannot require an awarding organisation to change a mark, grade or regulatory decision.

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8. Complaints – Stage 3 – review

If the complainant believes the complaint was not handled under this policy, they may request a review by the Head of Centre or another appropriate senior person. The request should identify the procedural ground for review and normally be made within ten working days.

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9. Complaints – Awarding organisations and regulators

Where a complaint concerns an awarding organisation’s qualification or regulatory responsibility, the complainant may be directed to the relevant awarding organisation after the centre’s internal process, where that organisation’s rules permit.

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10. Complaints – Unreasonable or abusive conduct

The centre will consider complaints on their merits but is not required to tolerate abusive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing or persistently unreasonable conduct. Communication arrangements may be restricted where necessary while preserving a reasonable route for the substantive complaint.

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11. Complaints – Records and confidentiality

Complaint records will be retained securely under the centre’s Data Protection and Records Retention policies.

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12. Complaints – Monitoring and review

The Head of Centre will review this policy annually. Themes from complaints may be used to improve examination administration and candidate service.

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13. Appeals – Purpose and scope

This Internal Appeals Procedure explains how candidates may challenge specified centre decisions relating to examinations and assessments. It covers internal assessment decisions, centre-assessed marks, access arrangements, special consideration, post-results services and appeals.

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14. Appeals – General principles

• appeals will be handled fairly, consistently and without avoidable delay;
• where practicable, the reviewer will not have been responsible for the original decision;
• JCQ and awarding organisation deadlines cannot be extended by the centre;
• an appeal cannot require the centre to act contrary to JCQ or awarding organisation rules;
• records of appeals and outcomes will be retained securely.

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15. Appeals – Centre-assessed marks and internal assessment decisions

Where required, candidates will be informed of their centre-assessed mark before it is submitted to the awarding organisation and may request a review of the centre’s marking.

• copies of the marked assessment material and relevant mark scheme or assessment criteria will be made available as required;
• the centre will normally allow at least five working days for the candidate to consider those materials before deciding whether to request a review, subject to the awarding organisation deadline;
• the candidate must identify the grounds for review;
• the review will be undertaken by a competent person who has not previously marked that candidate’s work for the component and has no personal interest in the outcome;
• the reviewed mark may increase, decrease or remain unchanged;
• the review must be completed before the awarding organisation’s mark submission deadline;
• the submitted mark remains provisional and may later change through awarding organisation moderation.

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16. Appeals – Access arrangements and special consideration

A candidate may appeal a centre decision concerning whether the centre will apply for or implement an access arrangement, reasonable adjustment or special consideration.

• the appeal should be made promptly and within any deadline notified by the centre;
• the review will consider the evidence, current JCQ criteria and qualification requirements;
• the centre cannot approve an arrangement which is not permitted or which compromises the assessment objectives;
• where the awarding organisation has made the final decision, any further challenge must follow that organisation’s procedure.

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17. Appeals – Post-results services and awarding organisation appeals

The centre will publish or communicate its arrangements for clerical re-checks, reviews of marking, reviews of moderation, access to scripts and appeals. Written candidate consent will be obtained where required.

• private candidates will be told where a service may be requested directly from the relevant awarding organisation;
• where a request must be made through the centre and the centre decides not to support it, the candidate may use this Internal Appeals Procedure;
• an internal appeal cannot extend an awarding organisation deadline.

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18. Appeals – Submitting an appeal

Appeals should be sent to examsofficer@intuitioncentres.com and headed ‘Internal Appeal’.

• state the candidate’s full name and candidate number where known;
• identify the qualification, component and decision being appealed;
• set out the grounds and attach any supporting evidence;
• submit the appeal within the deadline communicated by the centre.

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19. Appeals – Outcome and records

The centre will communicate the outcome in writing as soon as reasonably practicable. The decision may uphold the original decision, amend it or require the matter to be reconsidered. Records will be retained in accordance with the Data Protection and Examinations Archiving policies.

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20. Appeals – Complaints and appeals

General service or administration concerns should normally use the Exams Complaints Policy. Challenges to specific examination or assessment decisions should normally use this Internal Appeals Procedure.

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21. Appeals – Monitoring and review

This procedure is reviewed annually and following material changes to JCQ or awarding organisation requirements.

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1. Purpose and scope

This policy explains how Intuition Exam Centres prevents, identifies, escalates, reports and supports investigations into suspected malpractice and maladministration across all qualifications delivered by the centre.

It applies to candidates, staff, invigilators, assessors, tutors, facilitators, contractors, volunteers and any person involved in examination or assessment delivery.

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2. What malpractice and maladministration mean

For this policy, malpractice covers any act, default or practice which breaches examination or assessment rules or awarding organisation requirements and which prejudices candidates, compromises or may compromise an assessment or qualification, or damages confidence in the qualification system. Suspected malpractice includes alleged or suspected incidents as well as confirmed acts.

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3. Regulatory framework

The centre follows the current JCQ General Regulations, the JCQ Suspected Malpractice: Policies and Procedures republished in May 2026, current Instructions for Conducting Examinations, relevant NEA/coursework instructions and the JCQ AI Use in Assessments guidance.

Awarding organisation subject-specific instructions take precedence where applicable.

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4. Roles and responsibilities

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5. Preventing malpractice

• provide candidates with the current JCQ Information for Candidates documents and required posters;
• brief candidates on unauthorised items, plagiarism, collusion, authentication and AI use;
• maintain secure storage and controlled access to confidential materials;
• use trained invigilators and properly trained access arrangement facilitators;
• authenticate candidate work and maintain required supervision records;
• use second pair of eyes and candidate identification procedures;
• maintain conflict of interest controls; and
• provide annual staff updates on malpractice, AI and examination security.

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6. Candidate malpractice

Examples include possession or use of unauthorised material, communication with another candidate, plagiarism, collusion, impersonation, falsification of evidence or declarations, disruptive behaviour, breach of examination conditions, misuse of access arrangements and misuse of AI in assessed work.

Possession of an unauthorised item may be reportable even where there is no evidence the candidate intended to use it.

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7. Centre staff malpractice and maladministration

Examples include failing to maintain secure materials, giving improper assistance, altering candidate work, falsifying records, failing to authenticate work, failing to report known malpractice, granting unsupported access arrangements, breaching confidentiality, manipulating assessment decisions, improper use of AI in assessment, or failing to follow awarding organisation instructions.

The Head of Centre must ensure teaching staff do not use AI as the sole or primary means of marking candidates’ work.

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8. Identification and immediate reporting

All alleged, suspected or actual malpractice must be escalated immediately to the Head of Centre or, where the allegation concerns the Head of Centre, to an appropriate senior person who can contact the relevant awarding organisation independently.

The centre will inform the relevant awarding organisation immediately where required and will not delay notification while attempting to complete its own investigation. Required JCQ forms and evidence will be submitted in accordance with current instructions.

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9. Information gathering and fairness

The centre will preserve relevant evidence and cooperate fully with the awarding organisation. Any person gathering information must be appropriately senior and must not have a conflict of interest.

Individuals will be treated fairly and confidentially. The centre will distinguish fact, allegation and opinion and will not make promises about outcomes that are determined by an awarding organisation.

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10. Artificial intelligence in assessments

AI includes generative tools capable of producing or transforming text, images, audio, code or other content. AI may only be used where the assessment rules and teacher or awarding organisation instructions permit it.

Candidates remain responsible for the work they submit and must be able to demonstrate that it is their own. Use of AI must not prevent the centre from authenticating the candidate’s work.

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11. Permitted AI use and acknowledgement

Where AI use is permitted, candidates must acknowledge it in the manner required by current JCQ and awarding organisation guidance. This will normally include identifying the AI tool and the nature of the material used, retaining or submitting the generated content where required, and referencing it as a source rather than presenting generated material as the candidate’s own work.

Teachers and assessors must set clear task-specific expectations before work begins.

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12. AI misuse

• submitting AI-generated content as if it were independently produced by the candidate;
• using AI to complete substantial parts of an assessment where this is not permitted;
• using AI to paraphrase, translate, code, calculate or generate material where that defeats the assessment objective;
• failing to acknowledge permitted AI use where acknowledgement is required;
• using AI during a controlled or supervised assessment when it is not authorised; and
• using hidden or integrated AI tools in an examination word processor or another examination device.

AI misuse will be treated as potential malpractice. AI detection tools may be used as one source of information but will not be treated as conclusive evidence by themselves. Authentication will be based on the full available evidence and professional judgement.

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13. Communication, outcomes and appeals

Awarding organisations determine sanctions for reported malpractice under their procedures. The centre will communicate decisions to affected candidates or staff as required and explain any available appeal route.

Internal employment, contractual or safeguarding action may also be taken where appropriate, without prejudicing an awarding organisation investigation.

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14. Records and confidentiality

Malpractice reports, evidence, correspondence and decisions will be stored securely and retained for the period required by current JCQ and awarding organisation rules, and longer where necessary for an appeal, legal claim, safeguarding matter or regulatory requirement.

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15. Training and review

Staff malpractice and AI awareness will be included in annual examination training and updated whenever JCQ guidance changes. Candidate guidance will be refreshed before relevant assessments and examination series.

This policy will be reviewed annually and after any significant malpractice incident.

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1. Non-attendance

Failure to attend does not cancel an examination entry and does not normally create a right to a refund, transfer or credit. The centre remains entitled to retain or recover the examination fee, awarding organisation fees and reasonable costs incurred.

A candidate wishing to sit in a later series must normally make and pay for a new entry.

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2. Illness, injury and exceptional circumstances

If a candidate is ill, injured or affected by a serious event, the centre must be notified as soon as possible and, where practicable, before the scheduled examination begins. The centre may request medical, professional or other appropriate evidence.

Examples may include acute illness, injury, bereavement, a serious family emergency, an accident or significant travel disruption outside the candidate’s control. Each case will be assessed on its evidence and the current awarding organisation and JCQ criteria.

These circumstances do not automatically create a right to a refund or special consideration.

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3. Special consideration

The centre will only submit a special consideration application where it is satisfied that an adverse event has had, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material effect on the candidate’s ability to take the assessment or demonstrate their normal level of attainment, and the published criteria are met.

The candidate must normally have been fully prepared for the assessment and have covered the required course content. Special consideration cannot compensate for absence from teaching, late entry to a course or general disruption to learning.

If a candidate is absent from more than one examination for an acceptable reason, a separate online application may be required for each missed examination. The centre will inform the candidate when an application is submitted and will retain appropriate evidence until after results, or for any longer period required by the awarding organisation.

Special consideration is not guaranteed. The decision and any adjustment are made by the awarding organisation.

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4. Late and very late arrival

A candidate who expects to be late must contact the centre immediately. Admission is subject to the current JCQ rules, awarding organisation requirements, examination security and the practical ability to supervise the candidate.

The centre may refuse admission where required by the rules or where security cannot be protected. A very late arrival may have to be reported to the awarding organisation and the candidate’s work may not be accepted.

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5. Refunds following non-attendance or cancellation

Approved refunds will normally be made to the original payer and original payment method. The centre aims to process approved refunds within 28 days after eligibility and the refundable amount have been confirmed.

The centre may deduct:

• non-refundable awarding organisation fees;
• payment processing costs that are not returned to the centre;
• venue, examiner, assessor or supplier costs already committed;
• services already supplied; and
• reasonable and proportionate administration costs.

No deduction will be made where it would be unlawful or unfair.

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6. Reviews, complaints and policy review

An applicant may request a review of a decision under this policy by writing to the Examinations Officer and explaining the grounds. The review will consider whether the policy was applied correctly, whether relevant evidence was considered and whether the outcome was reasonable.

If unresolved, the applicant may use the centre’s Complaints Policy. This policy will be reviewed annually and whenever awarding organisation rules, JCQ guidance, consumer law or centre procedures materially change.

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1. Purpose and regulatory basis

This procedure explains how the centre verifies the identity of every candidate sitting an examination or assessment and forms part of the centre’s examination security and malpractice prevention arrangements.

It reflects the current JCQ General Regulations for Approved Centres and JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE), including the requirement for a written candidate identification procedure.

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2. Scope

This procedure applies to all internal, external, private, transferred and visiting candidates sitting examinations or assessments through Intuition Exam Centres, including written examinations and on-screen tests.

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3. Roles and responsibilities

A senior member of staff or a member of the exams office will be available to accompany an authorised JCQ Centre Inspector during an inspection visit.

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4. Verification of candidate identity

Invigilators must establish the identity of all candidates. The centre will make arrangements which enable adequate checks to be carried out before or at the start of the examination.

Candidates known to the centre may be identified using centre records, photographic records, candidate ID information and staff recognition, supported by the attendance register and seating plan.

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5. Private, external and transferred candidates

A private, external or transferred candidate who is not known to the centre must present suitable photographic documentary evidence showing that they are the same person who entered or registered for the examination or assessment. Examples include a valid passport or photographic driving licence.

Where the centre has concerns about the authenticity, validity or consistency of identification, additional checks may be carried out before the candidate is admitted or while the candidate remains under supervision.

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6. Identification documents and data protection

Identification documents will be viewed only by authorised staff and processed in accordance with the centre’s Data Protection Policy and Exam Candidate Privacy Notice. The centre will record only the information reasonably necessary to demonstrate that an identity check took place.

Photocopies or images of identity documents will not be retained unless there is a clear examination, safeguarding, fraud prevention or legal need to do so.

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7. Seating plans and attendance registers

The Examinations Officer will prepare accurate seating plans and attendance registers for each examination room. Candidate names and numbers must correspond with the entry data and the seating arrangement.

The attendance register should ideally be completed while candidates are being identified and must be completed before the end of the examination. A copy will be retained until the deadline for reviews of marking has passed or until any appeal, malpractice or other results enquiry has been completed, whichever is later.

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8. Checks before the examination

• check the candidate against the attendance register and seating plan;
• confirm that the candidate is sitting at the correct desk and using the correct candidate number;
• check the candidate is entered for the paper being sat;
• where relevant, confirm the correct tier, unit, component or option;
• ask candidates to check the question paper details when instructed by the invigilator; and
• resolve any discrepancy before the candidate begins the examination wherever possible.

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9. Second pair of eyes – question paper security

The JCQ second pair of eyes check is a question paper security control and is separate from candidate identification.

Immediately before a sealed question paper packet is opened, a second member of centre staff, additional to the person removing or opening the packet, must check the day, date, time, subject, unit or component and tier of entry where applicable. The check must be recorded.

If a packet must be split for different rooms, sites or an access arrangement, the second pair of eyes check will take place in the secure room before the packet is opened.

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10. Late arrivals and identity concerns

Late candidates remain subject to the same identity requirements. Where necessary they may be held under supervision while identity, entry status and the appropriate late arrival procedure are checked.

Suspected impersonation, falsified identification or another material identity discrepancy will be reported immediately to the Head of Centre and relevant awarding organisation in accordance with the current JCQ Suspected Malpractice: Policies and Procedures.

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11. On-screen tests

For on-screen tests, the invigilator will verify the candidate’s identity and ensure the correct candidate ID and test password are issued. Candidates must check that the details and test presented are correct before starting. A candidate must not sit a test in another candidate’s name.

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12. Records, confidentiality and retention

Seating plans, signed invigilation records, attendance registers, incident records and any identity concern records will be stored securely. Examination records will be retained for the period required by current JCQ or awarding organisation instructions and the centre’s retention schedule.

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13. Training, monitoring and review

Invigilators and relevant staff will be trained on candidate identification, private candidate photographic ID requirements, data protection, late arrivals and suspected impersonation. Training records will be maintained.

This procedure will be reviewed annually and sooner if JCQ or awarding organisation requirements change.

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14. Candidate Non-ID / Identity Concern Record

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1. Purpose and status

This policy explains the arrangements for examination withdrawals, non-attendance, amendments, transfers and refunds at Intuition Exam Centres. It should be read with the booking Terms and Conditions, the Exam Candidate Privacy Notice and the current rules and deadlines of the relevant awarding organisation.

Nothing in this policy excludes or limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under consumer protection law.

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2. Applicant and candidate responsibility

The person making the booking is responsible for providing accurate information, including the candidate’s legal name, date of birth, awarding organisation, qualification, specification, subject, tier, option, component and any previous candidate identifiers.

Candidates and applicants must check confirmations and statements of entry promptly and report errors immediately. The centre will make reasonable administrative checks but is entitled to rely on information supplied by the applicant.

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3. Statutory cancellation rights

Where statutory cancellation rights apply to an online or distance booking, they will be honoured. If the applicant asks the centre to begin processing the examination entry or another service during a statutory cancellation period, the centre may begin work immediately and may charge a proportionate amount for services supplied and any external fees already incurred, where the law permits.

If a service has been fully performed during the cancellation period following the applicant’s express request and acknowledgement, the statutory right to cancel may end where the legal conditions are met. Applicants should contact the centre promptly if they wish to cancel.

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4. Withdrawal before awarding organisation deadlines

A withdrawal request must be made in writing to examsofficer@intuitioncentres.com. The date the centre receives the request will be used when assessing eligibility.

If the awarding organisation refunds an entry fee, the centre will normally refund the refundable element to the original payer, less any reasonable and proportionate administration costs, payment processing costs and non-refundable services or external charges already incurred.

A refund will not be issued until the centre has confirmed the amount, if any, returned by the awarding organisation.

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5. Withdrawal after awarding organisation deadlines

After the applicable withdrawal or refund deadline, examination and administration fees are normally non-refundable because awarding organisation fees and centre work have already been incurred.

The centre may process a withdrawal to keep records accurate, but the applicant remains responsible for all fees and costs incurred. A published administration charge, which may be up to GBP 100 where it reflects the work and costs caused by a late withdrawal, may apply in addition to awarding organisation charges.

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6. Booking errors and amendments

If the applicant supplies incorrect information, the centre will make reasonable efforts to amend the entry before the relevant deadline. All additional awarding organisation fees, late fees and reasonable administration costs are payable by the applicant.

The centre will not normally refund fees where the wrong qualification, subject, specification, tier, option, component or awarding organisation was selected by the applicant and the error cannot be corrected without cost.

If the error was caused solely by the centre, the centre will correct it without an administration charge and will provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with the circumstances and the applicant’s legal rights.

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7. Refunds and administration charges

Approved refunds will normally be made to the original payer and original payment method. The centre aims to process approved refunds within 28 days after eligibility and the refundable amount have been confirmed.

The centre may deduct:

• non-refundable awarding organisation fees;
• payment processing costs that are not returned to the centre;
• venue, examiner, assessor or supplier costs already committed;
• services already supplied; and
• reasonable and proportionate administration costs.

No deduction will be made where it would be unlawful or unfair.

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8. Transfers and future examination series

Entries and fees cannot normally be transferred or carried forward from one examination series to another. A candidate wishing to sit at a later date must normally submit a new booking and pay the applicable fees.

Any exception is at the centre’s discretion, subject to awarding organisation rules, availability, actual costs and confirmation in writing.

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9. Practical, spoken and visiting examiner assessments

Cancellation terms may differ where an examiner, assessor, room, equipment or private visit has been booked. Once those costs have been committed, they may be non-refundable even if the awarding organisation returns part of an entry fee.

The centre will explain any materially different terms before or during booking where reasonably practicable.

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10. Centre disruption or cancellation

If the centre is affected by severe weather, premises failure, staffing disruption, cyber incident or another emergency, it will follow its Examination Contingency Plan and seek to deliver the examination at the registered site, an approved alternative site or through another permitted arrangement.

If the centre cancels a service and cannot provide a reasonable alternative, the centre will refund the part of the centre fee relating to the service not supplied, together with any awarding organisation fee returned to the centre. The centre is not responsible for indirect losses, travel or accommodation costs except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

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11. Payment disputes and chargebacks

Applicants should contact the centre before raising a chargeback so that the matter can be investigated. Where a chargeback or payment dispute is raised, the centre may provide booking, entry, communication, attendance and service records to the payment provider or bank.

The centre may recover sums properly due, together with lawful and reasonable costs caused by an unjustified payment reversal.

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12. Reviews, complaints and policy review

An applicant may request a review of a decision under this policy by writing to the Examinations Officer and explaining the grounds. The review will consider whether the policy was applied correctly, whether relevant evidence was considered and whether the outcome was reasonable.

If unresolved, the applicant may use the centre’s Complaints Policy. This policy will be reviewed annually and whenever awarding organisation rules, JCQ guidance, consumer law or centre procedures materially change.

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1. Statement and scope

Intuition Exam Centres is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and to protecting vulnerable adults who use its services. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

This policy applies to staff, tutors, invigilators, contractors, volunteers and visitors and covers tuition, examinations, online activity, one-to-one work, visits and other centre activities.

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2. Legal and guidance framework

The centre will have regard to applicable safeguarding law and guidance. Where the centre falls within the relevant statutory scope, this includes Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 until 31 August 2026 and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 from 1 September 2026. The centre also follows Working Together to Safeguard Children, applicable local Stockport safeguarding partnership procedures, data protection law and current JCQ safeguarding and examination requirements.

Where a statutory provision applies only to a particular type of school, college or specified authority, the centre will apply the legal duty where applicable and may adopt the guidance as good practice more broadly.

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3. Safeguarding principles

• children will be listened to and taken seriously;
• concerns will be acted on promptly;
• staff will maintain professional curiosity and appropriate boundaries;
• information will be shared when necessary to protect a child;
• children with SEND or additional needs will receive particular consideration; and
• no examination or commercial consideration takes priority over immediate safety.

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4. Safeguarding leadership and contacts

The DSL manages referrals, records, agency liaison, staff support, training and safeguarding oversight. If the DSL is unavailable, concerns must be reported to the Deputy DSL. An immediate risk to life or serious harm must be referred to emergency services without waiting for the DSL.

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5. Safer recruitment and suitability

The centre will apply proportionate safer recruitment procedures, including identity, right-to-work, references, employment history, qualification and DBS/barred list or other checks where required for the role. A Single Central Record or equivalent controlled record will be maintained where applicable.

Invigilators, access arrangement facilitators and contractors who work with children will be subject to appropriate suitability and safeguarding arrangements.

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6. Staff conduct, allegations and low-level concerns

All staff must maintain professional boundaries and use approved communication channels. Concerns about an adult working with children, including low-level concerns, will be recorded and managed in accordance with current safeguarding guidance and the centre’s staff conduct procedures.

Allegations that may meet the harm threshold will be referred to the appropriate external authority, including the Local Authority Designated Officer where applicable.

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7. Recognising abuse and safeguarding risks

Staff will remain alert to physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, child-on-child abuse, exploitation, county lines, serious violence, online harm, radicalisation, forced marriage, honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse or exploitation.

Attendance concerns, behavioural change, injury, disclosure, online activity or unexplained changes in circumstances may indicate risk.

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8. Responding to a disclosure

• listen calmly and take the child seriously;
• do not promise confidentiality;
• do not ask leading or investigative questions;
• make a factual record using the child’s own words where possible;
• report the concern immediately to the DSL or Deputy DSL; and
• preserve evidence and do not confront an alleged perpetrator unless directed by the safeguarding lead or police.

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9. Online safety, filtering and monitoring

The centre will maintain appropriate filtering, monitoring and cyber security arrangements proportionate to its systems and safeguarding risks. Staff will use professional accounts and approved systems for communication with children.

Online safeguarding concerns will be referred to the DSL. Technology controls will be reviewed periodically and after significant incidents.

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10. Prevent and radicalisation

Where the Prevent duty applies to the centre, the centre will have due regard to the current Prevent duty guidance. Where it does not apply directly, the guidance will inform good safeguarding practice. Concerns about susceptibility to radicalisation will be reported to the DSL and referred through appropriate local channels where necessary.

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11. Children with SEND and additional needs

Children with SEND or communication needs may face additional safeguarding barriers. Staff will consider communication methods, reasonable adjustments, behaviour changes and the possibility that signs of abuse may be wrongly attributed to a child’s condition.

Access arrangements and examination support will be delivered in a way that protects dignity, safety and professional boundaries.

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12. Safeguarding during examinations

Safeguarding procedures apply fully during examinations. Invigilators and facilitators must know how to summon safeguarding or medical assistance without compromising candidate safety.

Where a safeguarding incident occurs during an examination, safety comes first. Examination security will be protected as far as reasonably possible and any resulting examination disruption will be recorded and reported to the awarding organisation where required.

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13. Photography, CCTV and mobile devices

CCTV, candidate identification photographs and promotional images will be managed under the Data Protection Policy and relevant privacy notices. Staff must not use personal devices to photograph or record children for centre purposes unless specifically authorised under a controlled procedure.

Promotional use of identifiable candidate images will be handled separately from examination booking and will use an appropriate lawful basis and permissions where appropriate.

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14. Confidentiality, information sharing and records

Safeguarding information will be recorded promptly, stored securely and accessed only by those who need it. Data protection law does not prevent necessary information sharing for safeguarding purposes. Records will be retained in accordance with applicable safeguarding requirements and the centre’s retention schedule.

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15. Whistleblowing and professional challenge

Staff who believe safeguarding concerns are not being addressed must escalate the matter through the centre’s whistleblowing arrangements and, where necessary, to an appropriate external safeguarding or regulatory body.

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16. Training and review

All staff will receive safeguarding induction and regular updates appropriate to their role. The DSL and Deputy DSL will maintain training in line with applicable guidance. Examination staff will receive safeguarding information as part of invigilator or facilitator training.

This policy will be reviewed in September 2026 to reflect KCSIE 2026 and any new JCQ requirements, and annually thereafter.

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