Training designed specifically for exams managers/officers and senior leaders/line managers, focusing on exam regulation changes for the 2026/2027 academic year and how these will affect their roles and their centre.

 

The Exams Office is delighted to announce Pearson as our exclusive awarding body training partner for all international exams managers/officers and senior leader/line manager training events.

This partnership enables us to deliver high‑quality training and professional development for exams managers/officers and senior leaders across the country.

 

Each November, The Exams Office runs a programme of events designed specifically for international exams managers/officers and senior leaders/line managers. These sessions focus on regulatory changes for the new academic year and what these updates mean for centres and their exams teams.

 

2026/2027 training

• Dubai (Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS), Arabian Ranches, PO Box 2494, 100 Wadi Al Safa 6 Street)
  • 18 & 19 November 2026
  • 20 November 2026 – Invigilator training (half day)
  • Abu Dhabi invigilator training (half day) date and venue to be confirmed

 

• Qatar (Mesaieed International School, 2G4Q+53G, Naslat Al Galayel St., Mesaieed, Qatar)
  • 23 & 24 November 2026
  • 25 November 2026 – Invigilator training (half day), venue to be confirmed

 

Invigilator training

Half‑day certificated invigilator training sessions are being offered in the same locations where exams manager/officer/senior leader training is taking place (unless otherwise stated).

Exams managers/officers who have booked onto the training – and their invigilators – may attend the invigilator training at no additional cost. Exams managers/officers are also encouraged to join this session to gain their own invigilation certification and to see how the training can be delivered to their invigilators when they return to their centre.

 

Bookings will be taken from June/July 2026 (invoices will be sent in September 2026)

 

Who is this training for?

These events are open to all exams managers/officers.

Senior leaders/line managers are strongly encouraged to attend alongside their exams manager/officer. The event can act as an initial partnership meeting and an opportunity to review how regulatory changes will affect roles and responsibilities within the centre.

 

What will the training cover?

Subject matter experts will deliver sessions that:

• Highlight and explain updates in the JCQ documents for the new academic year
• Summarise key changes from the DfE, Ofqual and other major stakeholders
• Address issues arising from the previous summer exam series

Where time allows, the training will also explore a specific JCQ regulation in more detail and offer practical advice, guidance and best‑practice approaches to implementation.

Attending centres will also be able to send invigilators to a certificated half-day training session which covers JCQ regulations as detailed in JCQ’s Instructions for conducting examinations document.

 

Why attend?

This is an excellent opportunity to:

• Network with colleagues from other centres
• Enable exams managers/officers and senior leaders/line managers to review changes together
• Ask our experts questions relating to your specific centre or role
• Ensure that your invigilators are fully trained in JCQ regulations for the 2026/2027 academic year

 

All events start at 09:00 (registration from 08:30) and finish by 16:00

Please note that photographs may be taken at some events for promotional purposes

Content – 2026 training events (indicative)

• Day 1 – Exam regulation changes
• Day 2 – Exam regulation changes (continued, if required) and a focus upon specific areas of exam management and administration, and managing exam-related scenarios
• Day 3 (half-day) – Invigilator training. This is an optional session which is intended for:
  • Exams managers/officers who have attended the two-day training session to view and delivering a comprehensive invigilator session upon returning to their centre
  • Invigilators from local centres to acquire awarding body approved, certificated, invigilator training delivered by Jugjit Chima which will allow them to invigilate examinations during the 2026/2027 academic year. The cost of attendance is included within the delegate fee. The number of invigilators per centre will be confirmed ahead of the event depending on room capacity
• Day 2 (afternoon) or Day 3 – SENCo training in JCQ regulations update (half day)
• Timings are approximately 9/9.30am start and 3.30/4pm finish

 

Cost

By booking your place as early as possible, you are guaranteed a place at your chosen event in the event of capacity being reached. You will not be invoiced until September 2026.

We have retained the cost for attendance on all days at £795 or AED4000 (£495 or AED2500 for an additional delegate from the same centre). This includes:

• Attendance at both training days (including a range of hard copy support materials)
• Attendance for attendees at the invigilator training session
• Attendance for invigilators from local centres at the invigilator training session (maximum numbers to be confirmed on venue capacity and demand)
• A membership to The Exams Office (including access to the resources on the Hub) until 31 July 2027
• Refreshments and lunch on both days

The cost has been discounted from the exams officer/senior leader training and membership rate charged to UK centres for the 2025/2026 academic (which is £875). UK invigilator training is charged at a cost of approximately £400 per centre.

 

Event information

The training will be held at local schools/colleges and will be delivered by:

• Jugjit Chima (Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Examinations Officers)
• Alison Leather (Cambridge OCR awarding body)
• Awarding body colleagues (names/roles to be confirmed)

All events are supported by colleagues from Pearson and/or OxfordAQA.

Dress code is casual.

Travel and accommodation is the responsibility of delegates to arrange – this is not included within the delegate rate.

 

What are the terms and conditions for bookings?