Standard
Code
ST0888/AP01
Maximum Funding
£4000
Typical
Duration
12 months
Level
2
Standard
EPA Price*
£600
External Quality Assurance Body
Ofqual
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 Practitioner Qualification (level 2)
- Achievement of English and maths at the appropriate level (Functional Skills or equivalent)
Knowledge Test
- The test will comprise of 40 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 is graded fail, pass or distinction.
- Undertaken either off-site using remote assessment where appropriate, or on the employer’s premises.
Professional Discussion underpinned by Portfolio
- The independent assessor will review the portfolio 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 must be present during the discussion and apprentices will be expected to draw on its contents.
- The professional discussion has fail, pass and distinction grades.
- Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
Available Resources
- Training provider resource library
- EPA Specification (click to view)
- PAL Guide – Making the Apprenticeship Journey Successful (click to view)
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.