Exams officers within member centres of The Exams Office, have exclusive access to a complimentary* National Exams Officer Conference

Please note that photographs will be taken at the London conference for promotional purposes 

 

The Exams Office National Exams Officer Conferences are the only events attended by key exams stakeholders such as Ofqual, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), and the major awarding bodies. The events are held at locations across England during January and February each year.

Conference content is tailored specifically to meet the needs of exams officers and supporting members of staff in carrying out their everyday roles. The benefits of attendance include:

  • networking opportunities
  • presentations from high quality, experienced speakers
  • informative and interactive workshops
  • practical advice, hints and tips
  • acquiring the latest JCQ/awarding body information and updates to prepare you for the summer exam series and beyond

Conference format and content includes keynote speeches, presentations and workshops from experts in the field of exams administration and management, with a focus on guidance and good practice hints and tips.

Delegates select the workshops they would like to attend via The Exams Office Hub online booking form. Refreshments, along with a buffet lunch, are provided at each event. Each year, a range of exams-related exhibitors also attend.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*One complimentary place per member centre is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that only those with an up-to-date paid membership with The Exams Office at the time of booking and at the time of the event will be eligible for a complimentary place. The booking window will close once all places are taken at each event.

Please note: As set out at the time of booking, late cancellations will be subject to an administration fee. At this stage, delegate numbers will have been agreed with the venues and will be chargeable. An invoice will be raised and sent for prompt payment.

National Exams Officer Conferences 2026

 

Date Location Venue Booking status Delegate letter
Wednesday 21 January 2026 Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2EJ BOOK NOW via The Exams Office Hub Available mid-December
Friday 23 January 2026 Coventry Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Coventry CV6 6AQ BOOK NOW via The Exams Office Hub Available mid-December
Thursday 29 January 2026 London Wembley Stadium (Bobby Moore & Wembley Suites), Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0WS BOOK NOW via The Exams Office Hub  Available mid-December
Tuesday 3 February 2026 Manchester Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club (The Point & 1864 suites), Talbot Rd, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0PX BOOK NOW via The Exams Office Hub Available mid-December
Thursday 5 February 2026 Leeds Headingley Stadium, St. Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BR BOOK NOW via The Exams Office Hub  Available mid-December

 

You can book your complimentary place at one of the conferences listed above by selecting Book Conference Place from the Resources menu of the Hub and following the instructions

 

Booking window

The booking portal for our 2026 conferences was opened at 10:00am on Monday 3 November 2025 and will remain open until capacity is reached at each venue.

When a conference is available to book, the status will show as Book Now.
When a centre has booked a free place, the status will show as Already Attending.
When a conference reaches the end of the booking window, the status will show as Booking Closed.
When an event reaches full capacity, the status will show Join Waitlist.

Event format

Indicative timings for each conference are:

  • 8.00 onwards: Registration and refreshments
  • 9.00: Welcome & introductions
  • 9.15: TEO/NAEO update – including the annual Exams Officer Survey outcomes and a guide to using The Exams Office Hub
  • 9.45: Keynote speech (Ofqual)
  • 10.15: Workshop 1
  • 11.00: Break
  • 11.30: Workshop 2
  • 12.15: Workshop 3
  • 1.00: Lunch
  • 1.45: Workshop 4
  • 2.30: Break
  • 2.50: Panel discussion (delegates will be asked to provide an optional question for the panel via the booking form when booking a conference place)
  • 3.20: Prize draw
  • 3.30: Close

Keynote speeches

Information relating to the Ofqual keynote speech – the focus and time of session (am or pm) – will be provided nearer the conferences

 

Workshops

Delegates can choose from the following workshops at the 2026 conferences:

 

JCQ (including the JCQ Centre Inspection Service)

  • JCQ from ICE and General Regulation changes to Inspection: Understanding JCQ Updates & Centre Compliance for 2025–2026

 

The Exams Office

  • The role and responsibilities of an exams officer in the creation, updating and reviewing of JCQ required exam-related policies

(Please note delegates will require access to a mobile phone to anonymously engage with live online polls, surveys, and questions and answers)

 

National Association of Examinations Officers (NAEO)

  • Reconsidering the Job Title: Exams Officer vs Exams Manager

A presentation which highlights the reasons why the exams officer role should be redefined as the Exams Manager, and details how an exams officer can address this change of job title upon returning to their centre

(Please note delegates will require access to a mobile phone to anonymously engage with live online polls, surveys, and questions and answers)

 

Cambridge OCR

  • Supporting NEA success for Cambridge OCR qualifications: A practical guide for exams officers

This session is designed to support exams officers in confidently managing the administration of non-exam assessment (NEA) for Cambridge OCR qualifications. We’ll cover roles and responsibilities, key processes, timelines and best practice strategies to ensure compliance and smooth delivery. The session will also address frequently asked questions received by our Customer Support Centre, offering practical insights and solutions to common challenges in NEA management.

 

AQA

  • Tackling the tough stuff: Managing complex queries with confidence

In this session, the AQA Exams Officer Engagement team will tackle scenarios you may face in your role, share practical guidance for handling them, and point you to key resources to support you every step of the way.

 

Pearson

  • Summer Success: Preparing for a Smooth Summer and Beyond

A session which focuses upon practical steps to take now that will prepare you for a successful summer. We’ll explore best practice, share updates on key processes, and offer a first look at upcoming innovations.

 

NCFE

  • Uploading Learner Evidence with Confidence

A practical session on getting evidence uploads right first time. We’ll explore common missteps, share simple tips to avoid missing evidence, and show how meeting NCFE’s upload requirements can save time and reduce delays – helping centres submit with confidence

 

Delegates will have the opportunity to attend four workshop sessions.

 

Exhibitors

The exhibitors listed below attended some/all of the 2025 conferences . A range of MIS providers, including Arbor, Bromcom, iSAMS and ESS (SIMS and Unit-e) were invited to attend.

Further details of the exhibitors attending in 2026 will be published here in late November / December

Awarding organisations

  • AQA
  • Cambridge OCR
  • Pearson
  • WJEC
  • VTCT Skills
  • NCFE (at selected conferences)
  • Cambridge International Education (at selected conferences)

Support resources/organisations

  • Arbor (at selected conferences)
  • ATP Cyber
  • Everway (formerly Texthelp)
  • Parcelforce Worldwide (yellow label service)
  • Phoenix Safes
  • Scanning Pens
  • SIMS (at selected conferences)
  • Spaceforme
  • Wharton Clocks

 

Live Webcast and Virtual Conference 2026

For the first time in 2026 The Exams Office will live stream the National Exams Officer Conferences.

The live webcast will be streamed from the London Wembley conference on Thursday 29 January and members will be able to join from their centre, or other suitable location.

The live webcast is a great alternative for member centres if the conference dates are not convenient to attend or if you are unable to secure a place at a conference location of choice. Member centres will be able to join the live webcast to hear the speakers, and the workshops taking place in the Bobby Moore suite.

More details on how to register and access on the day will be published on this page in December,

Our Virtual Conference 2026 will also be made available to all those members unable to attend on the day, and as a refresher training resource to those in attendance.

All presentations will be filmed at London Wembley on Thursday 29 January and made available to all exams officers, and senior leaders, from member centres to view from w/c 09 February 2026.

Photographs will also be taken at the London Wembley conference, on Thursday 29 January, and used for promotional purposes for example: on theexamsoffice.org website and within The Exams Office training resources and materials.

 

How do I book my place?

From Monday 3 November 2025 at 10am, centre administrators, or exams officers, with an active account in The Exams Office Hub can book a conference place. This can be done by logging in to your dashboard.

 

To book your place:

  • Log into The Exams Office Hub https://teohub.theexamsoffice.org/
  • Select ‘Book Conference Place’ from the Resources menu on the left-hand side
  • Complete the booking form:
    • Check ‘Your Details’
    • Select each of your four ‘Workshops’
    • Add/edit any dietary, disability or additional support requirements you may have and click update to record the information
    • Once you have read and understand the booking terms, tick the box to accept ‘Booking Terms’ (The full Terms and Conditions are also shown above)
  • Click Submit
  • A Booking Confirmation email will be sent to the address registered within the Hub (check your spam/junk if the confirmation is not immediately received to your inbox)
  • Select ‘Conference Attendance’ from the Resources menu on the left-handside of your dashboard and confirmation of your booking will also appear. You will see a ‘ticket’ icon under ‘Attendance’. From here you can also cancel or amend your booking (see below)

Please note that:

  • Only one complimentary place is offered per member centre
  • Only the Centre Admin, or an exams officer, for your centre account can book a place within The Exams Office Hub
  • If the event you wish to attend is already fully booked you will have the choice to add yourself to the waitlist for your centre’s one complimentary place (should a place become available). Waitlist places are not guaranteed; they are subject to capacity so, before you join the waitlist, we strongly recommend that you try to book an alternative event which is open and has capacity

 

⚠️ What happens if complimentary places are oversubscribed?

If an event is oversubscribed by other centres who have already booked their complimentary place you will have the opportunity to join the waitlist for a complimentary place, subject to availability in the event of cancellations. Waitlist places are not guaranteed.

 

⚠️ Can I book an additional (paid) place?

At any point during the booking window, you can join the waitlist to request an additional paid place. Waitlist places are not guaranteed.

 

How long have I got to book my place?

Once open, the booking window for 2026 conferences will remain open until capacity is reached at each venue.

 

Will the conference be recorded?

Yes, this year, for the first time, we will live stream a complimentary conference webcast to members from the London Wembley conference on Thursday 29 January. This webcast will be available to members who are unable to attend a conference in any location due to their unavailability/practicality to attend a conference event/unable to secure the conference of their choice. Further details on how to register and join the webcast will be published here in December.

The Virtual Conference 2026 will include all presentations from London Wembley on Thursday 29 January and will be available to member centres from w/c 09 February 2026.

 

Can changes or cancellations be made once a conference booking has been made?

Yes, changes can be made (subject to availability), and a booking can be cancelled.

Cancellation/change requests outside of 14 days before an event can be made in The Exams Office Hub. Within 14 days of an event, cancellations and change requests must be confirmed by email to conference@theexamsoffice.com

 

How do I cancel my place or amend the delegate who will be attending?

To cancel your place:

  • Select ‘Conference Attendance’ from the Resources menu on the left-hand side of your dashboard
  • Select the ‘Cancel’ icon under ‘Action’
  • Select ‘Confirm Cancellation’

An email will be immediately sent to confirm the cancellation.

Please note an administration fee will be charged for late cancellations

 

To change the name of the attendee:

  • Select ‘Conference Attendance’ from the Resources menu on the left-hand side of your dashboard
  • Select the ‘Change User’ icon under ‘Action’
  • From the dropdown, select the name of the individual who will be attending instead, click ‘Submit’

An email will be immediately sent to both the original attendee (cancelling their booking) and the new attendee (confirming their booking)

 

To change the conference you want to attend:

  • Select ‘Conference Attendance’ from the Resources menu on the left-hand side of your dashboard
  • Select the ‘Change Event’ icon under ‘Action’
  • From the dropdown, select the event you wish to attend instead, click ‘Submit’

Please note a conference venue cannot be changed to a venue that has become fully booked or once the booking window has closed

 

Paid places are also subject to capacity after priority is given to centres requesting free places.

Should a place become available, successful requests for an additional paid place will be notified by email by 19 December.

Additional places are charged at £250 + VAT. Places can only be booked for a user registered on The Exams Office Hub, if not registered the user must be added by your centre administrator.

If capacity is available to accommodate your additional place, an email confirmation will be sent to the address registered within the Hub.

Invoices for paid places must be paid before the date of the conference.

 

Will you be sending a delegate letter ahead of my attendance at a conference?

Delegate letters for each conference will be emailed to delegates and added to the Hub during December 2025. They will also be made available on this page via the table above.

An email will be sent to all confirmed delegates before each conference to signpost to the delegate letter, and to provide a final opportunity to cancel your place without incurring a cancellation fee.

 

Will a certificate be issued for this event?

Yes, after all the conferences take place and your attendance on the day is confirmed, your CPD certificate of attendance will be made available in The Exams Office Hub.

 

What are the terms and conditions for bookings?

Please see our Event Terms and Conditions.