Diploma Aggregation Service Becta: Diplomas: Learning the lessons of the new operating model 24 November 2008 Richard Fitzpatrick Minerva Project Manager

Content Context Role of the aggregation service Learner Accounts High level process What it looks like The bigger picture (service structure and interfaces) Security Access and training DAS and the MIAP LRS Service support Current state Next steps Questions

3 Minerva project background Feb 2005 Government published Education and Skills White Paper. Introduced concept of the Diploma (component based, designed to develop an individual’s skills through a mix of theoretical and practical learning) QCA given responsibility for ensuring that “the systems to deliver Diplomas are effective and efficient” Jan 2007 Minerva project remit amended to focus exclusively on delivery of the IT to enable Diploma awarding Sept 2007 Steria engaged as IT Supplier to deliver the Diploma Aggregation Service

The Diploma Challenge Centre Consortia of schools, colleges and work based learning providers AB Multiple Component Awarding Bodies (CAB) Diploma Awarding Body (DAB)

5 Role of the Diploma aggregation service The purpose of the service is to support the awarding of Diplomas through data sharing and aggregation. It records Diploma constituent qualification results against each learner. It aggregates a learner’s results and applies ‘rules of combination’ to determine if sufficient results have been achieved for a Diploma to be claimed. If sufficient results are achieved, the system calculates a trial grade so the Diploma can be claimed and awarded by a Diploma awarding body.

6 Learner Accounts Every Diploma learner will need a Diploma learner account Used to post and collate results of Diploma constituent qualifications within the Diploma aggregation service. Administered on behalf of a learner by the Learner administrator (the person, usually an Exams officer, who is responsible for creating and maintaining learner accounts on the aggregation service for their centre). Opened for each Diploma learner by the Home Centre Learner administrator using the learner’s Unique Learner Number (ULN). Requires basic personal details, for example, ULN, family name, given name, DOB and gender.

7 How it works - high level process Collate Diploma result Notify centre of completed Diploma and issue trial grade Key Awarding Body activities Learner activities Diploma aggregation service activities Centre activities EO update Learner Account with PLTS and WE CAB update learner account with results Yes Enter learner with CAB Open Learner Account Complete learning Obtain ULN No ULN? Diploma learner DAB issues Diploma Claim Diploma Decide to claim Diploma

8 The bigger picture

9 Diploma aggregation service web browser

10 Protecting all our interests A secure service governed by strict terms and conditions… – Access restricted to authorised users (learners have no direct access) – Commercial agreements in place between QCA and DAS users – Online T’s & C’s Access to information limited by user profile… – Role based (e.g. Learner Administrator, Learner Data Viewer, TPLA) – Controlled at two levels (System Administrator; Local Administrator) Industry standards applied… – ISO/IEC 17799:2005 – ISO27001 e-Government Framework compliant (and W3C, WAI, WCAG) DPA compliant

11 Access and Training Timings – Early adopters opened learner accounts in July – The full service for recording learner achievements and triggering a Diploma went live 1 September 2008 Training – ‘Train the trainer’ – Classroom based with supporting CBT – Role based – Rollout June - October

12 DAS and the MIAP LRS Memorandum of Understanding – Scope of services necessary for the operation of the DAS – Service Levels – Issue Escalation and Dispute Resolution Process DAS Management Board – MIAP are represented DAS Operations Group – Consultative group for ABs; includes MIAP Also: DAS Advisory Group – Consultative group for key stakeholders; AoC, EOA.

13 Service support Service management helpdesk environment

Full Service Operational since 1 st September 11 Release1 early adopter Centres 870 centres now online Over 5000 Learner accounts opened to 20 th November All Help Desks and data feeds active Key service levels in operation with monthly reviews with all suppliers Daily, weekly and monthly service reports  Key Risks: High volume of Wave 2/3 centres need to be managed The service could be destabilised by high volume of change requests Management Summary of service operations

15 Next steps DAS ‘on-boarding’ activity for Phase 2 CABs/DABs began this month MIS Technical Workshop 20 th October – some take-up to on-board Release 3 in early March, then project closure For further information on the Diploma aggregation service, visit our project website;

Any Questions?