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

 

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.

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:

  • networking opportunities
  • presentations from high quality, experienced speakers
  • informative and interactive workshops
  • practical advice, hints and tips
  • acquiring 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.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*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 2024

Conferences were held at the following locations during January/February 2024:

  • Bristol (15 January)
  • Leeds (22 January)
  • London (29 January)
  • London (30 January)
  • Manchester (5 February)
  • Coventry (9 February)

A delegate letter is available for each conference.

 

Booking window

The booking portal for our 2025 conferences will be opened on 28 October and closed on 29 November.

In case of query, email conference@theexamsoffice.com

 

Event format

Indicative timings for each conference are:

  • 8.30 – Registration desk open from
  • 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 delivered a workshop session at the 2024 conferences:

  • The Exams Office: Sharing information with candidates, parents/carers and centre staff ahead of an exam series
  • AQA: Right First Time – A focus on ‘right first time’ entries and security procedures
  • OCR: Supporting you in 2023/24. This session will cover key updates and top tips to help you successfully administer exams and assessments for general qualifications, Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals
  • Pearson: Setting the course for success!
  • NCFE (Manchester & London conferences only): Support and more in 2024 – interactive workshop exploring pain points and solutions. A workshop designed to empower exam officers with the knowledge and skills required to streamline their processes and to explore how you can work smarter with NCFE. This session will give exams officers who work with NCFE the opportunity to provide feedback and gain insight into available solutions. As part of this, we’ll be covering off NCFE’s Portal functionality, upload of student digital evidence, and maintaining accurate data through term-time checking requests
  • JCQ Centre Inspection Service: Being prepared for when the Inspector calls

Delegates had the opportunity to attend 3 workshop sessions.

 

Exhibitors

The following organisations exhibited at the 2024 conferences:

Awarding organisations

  • AQA
  • OCR
  • Pearson
  • WJEC
  • NCFE (Manchester & London only)

Support resources/organisations

  • Scanning Pens
  • Texthelp
  • Wharton Clocks
  • Phoenix Safes
  • Spaceforme
  • Parcelforce Worldwide (yellow label service)

 

Virtual Conference 2024

The presentations at the Coventry Conference were filmed and are available to all exams officers and senior leaders to view as part of our Virtual Conference 2024.

 

How do I book my place?

Only the centre administrator within The Exams Office Hub can book a conference place. This can be done by logging in to your dashboard.

To book your place:

  • Scroll through the calendar on the right-hand side of the dashboard, to select the date of the conference you would like to attend (OR simply click on the relevant ‘Book Now’ link within the Notifications area which takes you directly to the booking form)
    • Click on the date
    • The selected conference will then appear in the upcoming events below the calendar
    • Click ‘Book Now’
  • Complete the booking form and submit:
    • Check ‘Your Details’
    • Select each of your ‘Workshops’
    • Add any additional dietary or disability 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 Ts & Cs and are also shown above
  • An email confirmation will be sent to the address registered within the Hub (check your spam/junk if the confirmation is not immediately received to your inbox)
  • Confirmation of your booking will also appear within the ‘Event Attendance’ area which can be found in the left hand ‘Resources’ menu of your dashboard. 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 free place is offered per member centre
  • Only the Centre Admin for your centre account within The Exams Office Hub can book a place
  • Initially, only Centre Admin users can book a place for themselves from which point they can cancel or amend their booking (please see below for instructions on cancelling or altering the name of the attendee from your centre)

 

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

To cancel your place:

  • Select ‘Event 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 that if a cancellation is made within 14 days of the conference date, a £50 administration fee will be charged

To change the name of the attendee:

  • Select ‘Event 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:

  • Cancel your place (see instructions above)
  • Rebook a new place at the new conference location
  • Follow the instructions above ‘To book your place’

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

 

Can I book an additional (paid) place?

Yes, a very limited of places are reserved at each conference for centres who wish to send an additional member of staff to one of the conferences.

Following the closing of the booking window on 1 December we are now assessing capacity at each venue. An email will be sent to all members on 6 December with details of venues where there is capacity for additional paid places and the booking process.

 

How long have I got to book my place?

The booking window for 2025 conferences will remain open until 29 Noveember or until capacity is reached at each venue – whichever is earlier.

 

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

Delegate letters for each conference/venue will be added to this page in December.

An email will be sent to all delegates at least 21 days before each conference to signpost to the delegate letter, and to provide a final opportunity to cancel your place without incurring a cancellation fee. (Please note that cancellations made within 14 days of a conference date will incur a £50 administration fee).