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1. Purpose

Squid Academy is committed to maintaining high standards of assessment, teaching, learning, and learner achievement. The purpose of this Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Policy is to ensure that assessment decisions are:

• Fair
• Valid
• Reliable
• Consistent
• Transparent
• Evidence-based

This policy establishes the processes used to monitor and improve the quality of assessment activities delivered by Squid Academy.

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2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Accredited programmes
• Non-accredited programmes
• Internal assessments
• Coursework assessments
• Practical assessments
• Portfolio assessments
• Tutors
• Assessors
• Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs)
• Academic staff

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3. Objectives

The objectives of Internal Quality Assurance are to:

• Ensure consistency in assessment decisions.
• Support assessors in making accurate judgements.
• Maintain learner confidence.
• Meet awarding organisation requirements.
• Identify areas for continuous improvement.
• Promote best practice across all programmes.
• Ensure assessment standards are applied fairly.

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4. Principles of Internal Quality Assurance

All quality assurance activities will be:

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Fair

All learners will be assessed against the same standards.

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Valid

Assessment decisions will measure the intended learning outcomes.

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Reliable

Different assessors should reach similar decisions when reviewing the same evidence.

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Consistent

Assessment criteria will be applied uniformly.

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Transparent

Processes and decisions will be documented and auditable.

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Supportive

Quality assurance activities will encourage staff development and continuous improvement.

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5. Roles and Responsibilities

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Academic Management

Responsible for:

• Oversight of quality assurance activities.
• Ensuring adequate resources are available.
• Reviewing quality assurance outcomes.
• Supporting continuous improvement.

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Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)

Responsible for:

• Sampling assessment decisions.
• Monitoring assessment quality.
• Providing feedback to assessors.
• Supporting assessor development.
• Maintaining IQA records.
• Identifying trends and risks.
• Ensuring compliance with awarding organisation requirements.

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Assessors and Tutors

Responsible for:

• Assessing learners fairly.
• Maintaining accurate assessment records.
• Applying assessment criteria consistently.
• Participating in standardisation activities.
• Acting on IQA feedback.

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Learners

Responsible for:

• Providing authentic evidence.
• Participating honestly in assessments.
• Following the assessment requirements.

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6. Sampling Strategy

The Academy will operate a risk-based sampling strategy. Sampling may consider:

• New assessors
• Experienced assessors
• High-risk qualifications
• New programmes
• Learner complaints
• Previous quality concerns
• Assessment complexity

Sampling will review:

• Assessment decisions
• Learner evidence
• Feedback quality
• Record keeping
• Compliance with assessment requirements

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7. Standardisation Activities

Standardisation helps ensure consistency across assessors. Activities may include:

• Assessor meetings
• Evidence reviews
• Assessment discussions
• Benchmarking exercises
• Moderation activities
• Training sessions

Standardisation meetings should be documented and retained for quality assurance purposes.

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8. Observation of Assessment Practice

Where appropriate, IQAs may observe:

• Teaching sessions
• Assessment activities
• Practical demonstrations
• Professional discussions
• Online assessments

Observations help ensure assessment processes are applied consistently and professionally.

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9. Feedback to Assessors

Following quality assurance activities, assessors may receive feedback regarding:

• Assessment decisions
• Documentation quality
• Evidence requirements
• Learner support
• Compliance matters

Feedback should:

• Be constructive.
• Be evidence-based.
• Support professional development.

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10. Assessment Records

The Academy will maintain accurate records of:

• Assessment decisions
• IQA sampling activities
• Standardisation meetings
• Assessor feedback
• Corrective actions
• Quality improvement activities

Records will be retained in accordance with the Data Retention Policy.

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11. Managing Inconsistent Assessment Decisions

Where inconsistencies are identified: The Academy may:

• Review assessment decisions.
• Conduct additional sampling.
• Require reassessment.
• Provide additional assessor training.
• Increase monitoring activities.

Corrective actions will be documented and reviewed.

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12. Continuous Improvement

Quality assurance activities will be used to identify:

• Areas of good practice.
• Training requirements.
• Assessment improvements.
• Learner experience improvements.
• Process enhancements.

The Academy is committed to continual improvement across all educational provision.

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13. Learner Appeals

Learners who disagree with assessment decisions may use the Academy’s Assessment Appeals Procedure. IQA activities may be used to support appeal reviews where appropriate.

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14. Malpractice and Maladministration

Any suspected malpractice or maladministration identified during quality assurance activities will be managed in accordance with the Academy’s Malpractice and Maladministration Policy. Examples include:

• Plagiarism
• Assessment fraud
• Falsification of records
• Unauthorised assistance
• Procedural failures

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15. Annual Quality Review

The Academy will conduct an annual review of quality assurance activities. The review may consider:

• Assessment outcomes
• Learner achievement rates
• Appeals data
• Complaints data
• Assessor performance
• Awarding organisation feedback
• Continuous improvement actions

Findings will be used to update quality assurance processes where required.

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16. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or whenever

• Regulatory requirements change.
• Awarding organization requirements change.
• Significant quality issues arise.
• Organizational changes occur.