Exams managers/officers within member centres of The Exams Office, have exclusive access to a complimentary* place at one our national conferences

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

 

The Exams Office National Exams Manager/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 managers/officers and supporting exams 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. All members will have access to the live stream – and recording of all presentations – from the Wembley conference.

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 Manager/Officer Conferences 2027

 

Date Location Venue Booking status Delegate letter
19 January 2027 Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2EJ Bookings taken from Monday 2 November 2026 Available December 2026
22 January 2027 Birmingham The International Convention Centre (ICC), 8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA Bookings taken from Monday 2 November 2026 Available December 2026
28 January 2027 London Wembley Stadium (Bobby Moore & Wembley Suites), Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0WS Bookings taken from Monday 2 November 2026 Available December 2026
2 February 2027 Manchester Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club (The Point & 1864 suites), Talbot Rd, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0PX Bookings taken from Monday 2 November 2026 Available December 2026
5 February 2027 Leeds To be confirmed Bookings taken from Monday 2 November 2026 Available December 2026

 

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 2027 conferences will open at 10:00am on Monday 2 November 2026 and will remain open until capacity is reached at each venue.

Please note that:

  • 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 (each workshop lasts for 45 minutes):

  • 8.00 onwards: Registration and refreshments
  • 9.00 – Welcome and introductions
  • 9.30 – JCQ Centre Inspection Service update
  • 10.30 – Workshop 1
  • 11.30 – Break
  • 12.00- Workshop 2
  • 1.00 – Lunch
  • 1.45 – Workshop 3
  • 2.45 – Break
  • 3.00 – Ofqual keynote
  • 3.30 – Prize draw
  • 3.45 – Close

Keynote speeches

Information relating to the Ofqual and JCQ Centre Inspection keynote speeches will be provided nearer the conferences

 

Workshops

To be confirmed and detailed below in late October 2026.

AQA

  • Access Arrangements: Moving from application to exam
An interactive session run by the Exams Officer Engagement team to support you in the implementation of Access Arrangements. This workshop will focus on planning and managing access arrangements during a live exam, sharing of best practice and building your relationship with your SENCo to help your series run smoothly.

 

National Association of Examinations Officers

  • Communicating effectively with senior staff, teaching staff, your team and parents

In this session, Jugjit Chima, provides good practice, hints and tips in communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders.

The content focuses upon utilising your communication and written skills to deliver key messages effectively and efficiently.

By the end of the session, you will begin to consider developing and/or honing your communication style to ensure that senior staff, teaching staff, staff you manage and parents receive clear, concise and accurate information which will support you in meeting key deadlines and ensuring compliance with JCQ and awarding body regulations and requirements.

 

The Exams Office

  • Dealing with exam-related scenarios

A delegate-led session exploring a range of exam-related scenarios to discuss with invigilators during in-person update training, including how each situation should be handled in accordance with JCQ regulations and requirements. The areas covered will be taken from:

  • Dealing with a medical emergency in the exam room
  • Dealing with disruptive candidates before and/or during an examination
  • Dealing with a disturbance during an examination
  • Dealing with a noise/disturbance outside the exam room during an examination
  • Dealing with a candidate or whole cohort who claims that they have been given an incorrect question paper
  • The type of incidents which must be included on the exam room incident log

If time allows, the session will also suggest techniques for Dealing with parental requests.

 

Exhibitors

Further details of the exhibitors attending in 2027 will be listed below in December 2026.

Awarding organisations

  • TBC

Support resources/organisations

  • TBC

 

Live stream

For the first time in 2026 The Exams Office provided a live stream from a National Exams Manager/Officer Conference.

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

The live stream 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 were able to join the live stream to hear the speakers, and the workshops taking place in the Bobby Moore suite

Details of the live stream from a 2027 conference will be available in January 2027.

The stream will be available via the The Exams Office Hub. To join on the day, please follow the instructions below –

  1. Login to the The Exams Office Hub

  2. Navigate to Resources > Training Videos

  3. Select the Exams Officer National Conference category

  4. Select the Exams Manager/Officer Conference 2027 video

⚠️ When prompted, enter the given PIN to view the live stream.

 

Virtual Conference 2027

Our Virtual Conference 2027 containing all presentation will be made available to all those members unable to attend on the day, and as a refresher training resource to those in attendance from w/c 15 February 2026.

Photographs will also be taken at the London Wembley conference 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 2 November 2026 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 manager/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 2027 conferences will remain open until capacity is reached at each venue.

 

Will the conference be recorded?

Members will be able to join a live stream of the London Wembley conference, or a separate Virtual Conference released to member centres from w/c 15 February 2027 to watch at a time convenient to members.

 

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 18 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 added to the Hub. 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.