Standard
Code

ST0135/AP04

Maximum Funding

£6000

Typical
Duration

18 months

Level

3

Standard
EPA Price*

£700

External Quality Assurance Body

Ofqual

*This price represents our maximum charge for the standard EPA (excluding reassessment). Please get in touch to discuss potential discounts and added value.

End-Point Assessment Requirements

English and maths

Effective from 11 February 2025, the government has removed the mandatory English and maths functional skills requirement for apprentices aged 19 and above who start their apprenticeship training. This change includes apprentices who are currently on the programme.

The new ruling applies to apprentices on programme and all apprentices starting their programmes from February 2025.

Employers and apprentices must agree by 1st April 2025 whether apprentices aged 19 and above on programme will continue studying English and maths.

  • Providers must record the decision in the training plan.
  • Apprentices must continue their studies until an agreement is made.

It is worth noting that whilst the mandatory requirement for English and Maths has been removed, apprentices and employers can still choose to receive English and Maths training and participate in the associated tests.

For apprentices under the age of 19 at programme commencement, there is still a requirement to undertake Maths and English training and take functional skills tests.

Qualifications and On-programme Assessment

In order to reach end-point assessment, apprentices will need to be supported through their on-programme learning by the employer and training organisation in the following elements:

  • Early Years Educator qualification (Level 3).
  • A First Aid qualification in line with the requirements of the EYFS Framework.
  • Level 2 in English and Maths.

Knowledge Test

  • The test will comprise of 35 multiple choice questions.
  • Apprentices will have 60 minutes to complete the test.
  • The test is closed book (apprentices cannot refer to reference books/materials).
  • Set and marked by the end-point assessment organisation.
  • The test has fail and pass grades.
  • Undertaken either off-site using remote assessment where appropriate, or on the employer’s premises.

Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence

  • The independent assessor will review the portfolio of evidence and use it to identify areas for the professional discussion – it is not directly assessed.
  • The professional discussion must last 90 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion).
  • The portfolio of evidence must be present during the discussion and apprentices will be expected to draw on its contents.
  • The professional discussion has pass and distinction grades.
  • Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
Download Fact Sheet

Available Resources

How to engage with PAL.

Engaging with PAL couldn’t be easier. Simply contact us at info@professionalassessment.co.uk or on 0800 1601899. Our senior team will contact you to find out about your requirements in more detail and discuss how we might need to adapt our approach to meet your needs. Once you are happy that PAL is the right fit for your programme, we set up your account, share our library of resources and support you to register your apprentices. You can then rest assured that you have a dedicated team on hand to guide you through your EPA journey and provide a responsive service when your apprentices are ready to be assessed.

View the EPA process here:

EPA Process