Feedback on Association of Colleges exam officers conference
 

Just over 160 delegates attended this conference, up on previous years which has been developing a much more flexible programme, ranging from high level presentations reflecting education and exam strategic changes, down to the more grass roots practical operational activity experienced in most exam offices across the country.
 

While the EOA, on this occassion did not get the opportunity to voice its concerns on behalf of its AoC members at this year’s conference on all the changes which are having such a profound effect on the whole exam office community, Jeremy Benson from Ofqual referenced the important contribution of the EOA to exam delivery, highlighting the importance of the contribution the exam office community play in the education system and how the EOA was an important reference point for the community and other stakeholders.
 

This message was also echoed by Harvey Neve of the new Exam Delivery Support Unit (EDSU) which has replaced the outgoing QCDA operation. The most important message from Harvey's presentation was  that the exam office community would be represented via its professional body, the EOA more effectively within this new Teaching Agency structure of which EDSU would be part. The EOA as the representative voice of the exam office community can now lobby directly into this agency which is so closely linked into the teaching profession, who will always continue to drive the education debate. 

Over thirty delegates attended the EOA breakout session titled - 'who's exam system is it anyway' where issues over contined exam office profile, professional development and the launch of the new in house exam management tool - MEOY - My Exam Office Year was announced. A number of AoC members signed up to be part of the forthcoming pilot which will be announced shortly and to which any one can apply to be involved.

The following link is provided by the Association of Colleges with whom the EOA are working closely to help support the exams office community in colleges.