The Exams Office National Exams Officer Conferences are the only events attended by key exams stakeholders such as the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), Ofqual and the major awarding bodies. The events are held at locations across England during January and February each year.
These conferences are free-to-attend* for members of The Exams Office
Conference content is tailored specifically to meet the needs of exams officers and supporting members in carrying out their everyday roles. The benefits of attendance include:
- national networking opportunities
- listening to high quality, experienced speakers
- attending informative and interactive workshops
- accessing practical advice, hints and tips
- hearing the latest awarding body/JCQ 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 online booking form. Refreshments, along with a buffet lunch, are provided at each event. Each year, a range of exams-related exhibitors also attend.
Members of The Exams Office can attend one National Exams Officer Conference free* as part of their membership
*One free 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 free place. The booking window will close once all places are taken at each event.
Please note: As set out at the time of booking any cancellations made within 14 days of the conference date will be subject to a £50.00 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. Only in exceptional circumstances and with supporting evidence will this fee be waived.
National Exams Officer Conferences –Â Winter 2023
Dates and venues are listed below:
| Date | Location |
Venue details |
Conference delegate letter |
| Thursday 12 January 2023 | Manchester |
Old Trafford Football Ground, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA |
|
| Wednesday 18 January 2023 | Bristol | Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Rd, Bristol, BS3 2EJ | Bristol delegate letter – Download |
| Thursday 26 January 2023 | Leeds |
Hilton Leeds City, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4BX |
|
| Thursday 2 February 2023 | Coventry |
Coventry Building Society Arena, Judds Lane, Coventry, CV6 6AQ |
|
| Thursday 9 February 2023 | London |
The Kia Oval, Kennington, London, SE11 5SS |
Booking window/Waiting lists
The online event booking portal opened on 1 November and closed on 2 December
Email conference@theexamsoffice.com to be added to the waiting list for the Manchester, Bristol and Coventry conferences
The waiting lists at the Leeds and London have closed as the capacity has been reached at both venues
There is one free place per member centre
Event format
Indicative timings for each conference are:
- 8.30 – Registration desk opens
- 9.15 – Introduction – including updates from The Exams Office and National Association of Examinations Officers (NAEO)
- 9.35 – JCQ update
- 10.15 – Workshop session 1
- 11.15 – Break
- 11.45 – Workshop session 2
- 12.45 – Lunch
- 1.45 – Workshop session 3
- 2.45 – Break
- 3.00 – Ofqual update
- 3.40 – Prize draw
- 4.00 – Final comments and Close
Workshops
The following organisations will be delivering a workshop session:
- The Exams Office: Existing invigilators update meeting – Areas to cover
- AQA: A guide to the updated malpractice regulations
- OCR: Top tips for summer 2023: General Qualifications, Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals (Covering topics ranging from entries to results, to help exams officers plan and prepare for a successful summer exam series)
- Pearson: BTECs – Supporting you
- NCFE: Delivering to your needs (Manchester & London only)
- Morrish solicitors – Holiday pay after Harpur Trust v Brazel (Manchester only to allow filming for the Virtual Conference)
Delegates will have the opportunity to attend 3 workshop sessions
Exhibitors
The following organisations will be exhibiting:
Awarding organisations
- AQA
- OCR
- Pearson
- WJEC
- Cambridge Assessment International Education (Manchester & London only)
- London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF)
- NCFE (Manchester & London only)
Support resources/organisations
- Scanning Pens
- Texthelp
- Wharton Clocks
- Phoenix Safes
- Spaceforme
- Parcelforce
- Morrish solicitors
Virtual Conference
The presentations at the Manchester Conference will be filmed and made available to all exams officers as a Virtual Conference in mid-February
