At Pearson we're committed to a world that's always learning. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology, and each other to surpass these boundaries, we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world's innovations, personal and global. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.
Purpose
The Principal Examiner is there to ensure that the standards of an externally assessed unit(s)/module(s)/component(s) are maintained and are consistent with the unit specification and assessment criteria. The Principal Examiner should oversee the standardisation of Examiners.
Core Services and Expectations
When Carrying Out Your Role, Please Be Mindful That You Represent Pearson And That You Should Always Maintain Your Professional Integrity. Therefore, It Is Essential That You:
Act at all times in a way which will not bring Pearson, its employees, and its representatives into disrepute.
Read all Pearson policies and guidance prior to undertaking contracted activities.
Respect the confidentiality of centres and learners.
Attend any and all meetings or training sessions provided, relevant to your role, where requested by Pearson.
Adhere to deadlines given by Pearson and ensure that all work is carried out to the best of an individual's ability.
Remain respectful and advocate for others to ensure and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in a professional manner when carrying out services on behalf of Pearson.
Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson software, relevant malware, appropriate virus protection software, a suitable internet connection, and a personal, secure email account.
Communicate with Pearson and its centres in a timely manner when carrying out all designated responsibilities.
Raise any concerns if you suspect or are made aware of any malpractice, maladministration, and/or Safeguarding issues.
Role Specific Services and Expectations
As Well As Pearson's Core Services Expectations, There Are Also Role-specific Services And Expectations That You Must Consider And Be Able To Provide. These Include:
Ensuring the timely delivery of your contracted unit(s)/module(s)/component(s).
Updating the mark scheme/guidance before the pre-standardisation meeting, taking into account actual candidates' responses and feedback from supervisors/Examiners.
Leading meetings such as pre-standardisation and standardisation and participating in others such as appeals against results and post-series reviews. You may also be asked to represent Pearson at board hearings for examination appeals.
Selecting and marking items for validity as agreed at the pre-standardisation meeting.
Marking an allocation of live candidates' responses, to quality assure as part of a supervisory role, where required.
Preparing and collating materials for standardisation.
Supporting supervisors and Examiners.
Sampling supervisors/Examiners' initial marking and backreading responses, as directed, using the appropriate Pearson marking system to target backreading and correct specific problems.
Monitoring the progress of supervisors/Examiners.
Reviewing responses for clarification.
Acting as a senior point of escalation across the quality assurance process.
Providing support across several versions of the paper, including all those introduced previously, and any versions introduced during the contractual period.
Monitoring and reporting to the Assessment team after standardisation and completion of marking, submitting a completed feedback form for each supervisor/Examiner as directed.
Supporting in awarding activities by writing reports to the Awarding Committee, recommending grade boundaries, participating in the awarding activities, and other areas where required.
Completing the Senior Assessment Associate review process reflecting on your own challenges and successes and attending a follow-up meeting with the assessment team where required.
Submitting reports on the series/candidate performance.
Providing support and written responses to complaints where required.
Skills And Competencies
As the Principal Examiner, you will be expected to demonstrate the following skills and competencies:
Essential
Experience and knowledge of quality assurance and assessment practice
History of moderation and/or marking a regulated qualification
Excellent communication skills
Proven ability to provide and co-ordinate training such as standardisation and other standards-related activities
A comprehensive knowledge of the specification for your specialist sector, including internal and external requirements
Provide examples of when you were asked to lead/support essential quality assurance activities.
Desirable
High level of IT proficiency.
Leadership experience in delivering qualifications.
Knowledge of regulatory compliance and requirements.
Report writing within a regulated industry.
Vocational Qualifications (e.g. BTEC/FS)
A minimum of one full academic year of teaching experience in the relevant subject area/sector within the last 8 years and/or extensive knowledge and experience in Pearson assessment, quality and processes and national standards within the last 5 years.
Relevant CPD evidence in the subject area/sector within the last 12 months.
A UK recognised teaching qualification
Please note upon successful application Pearson may ask you to provide proof of the qualifications required.