AQA-2740-W-SP-14

GCE English Literature A for exams from June 2014 onwards (version 1.4)6 Coursework AdministrationThe Head of Centre is responsible to AQA forensuring that coursework/portfolio work is conductedin accordance with AQA’s instructions and JCQinstructions.This specification operates a consortium network,and all centres following the specification belong to alocal consortium managed by a consortium adviserappointed by AQA. The purpose of the consortiumnetwork is to support teachers with all aspects ofthe specification but particularly with the courseworkunits.Centres wishing to enter candidates for thisspecification should request permission to join a localconsortium by contacting, in writing, the subjectdepartment at AQA.Upon joining a local consortium, centres will be sentdetails of their consortium adviser, including a contactaddress and telephone number. The consortiumadviser will be the principal source of guidance andsupport for not only the coursework elements ofthis specification but will also offer advice on otheraspects of the specification such as texts chosen aswider reading. Centres may contact their consortiumadviser at any time during the course.The consortium adviser will:• offer advice and support, particularly on thecoursework components, but on all aspects of thespecification• help centres to identify appropriate courseworktasks and texts• assist in the training of members of theconsortium in the assessment of coursework• conduct standardising meetings to ensureconsistency and reliability of marking, using thebooklet of standardisation material issued free ofcharge to every centre• provide guidance on ensuring effective internalstandardisation of marking within centres.6.1 Supervision and Authentication of Coursework6In order to meet the regulators’ Code of Practice forGCE, AQA requires:• candidates to sign the Candidate Record Form(CRF) to confirm that the work submitted is theirown, and• teachers/assessors to confirm on the CRF thatthe work assessed is solely that of the candidateconcerned and was conducted under theconditions laid down by the specification.The completed CRF for each candidate must beattached to his/her work. All teachers who haveassessed the work of any candidate entered foreach component must sign the declaration ofauthentication. Failure to sign the authenticationstatement may delay the processing of thecandidates’ results.The teacher should be sufficiently aware of thecandidate’s standard and level of work to appreciateif the coursework submitted is beyond the talents ofthe candidate.In most centres teachers are familiar with candidates’work through class and homework assignments.Where this is not the case, teachers should makesure that all coursework is completed under directsupervision.In all cases, some direct supervision is necessaryto ensure that the coursework submitted can beconfidently authenticated as the candidate’s own.If it is believed that a candidate has receivedadditional assistance and this is acceptable within theguidelines for the relevant specification, the teacher/assessor should award a mark which represents thecandidate’s unaided achievement. The authenticationstatement should be signed and information given onthe relevant form.If the teacher/assessor is unable to sign theauthentication statement for a particular candidate,then the candidate’s work cannot be accepted forassessment.30