Overview
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has recently published the revised standards and assessment plans for STO227 Chef de Partie and STO228 Commis Chef. The latest version of each assessment plan replaces the previous version, and the plans set out more focused assessment methods and a clearer grading system. The information below provides an overview of the new assessment plans.
Information Relevant to both Standards Which apprentices are affected? Any apprentice enrolled on these programmes (with the training provider) from 28/09/2021 will be assessed under the new versions of the assessment plans. Those enrolled with the training provider before this date can be assessed under the new plans if to do so would not disadvantage the apprentice. If it is considered that assessment under the new versions would disadvantage the apprentice, assessment should proceed under the previous versions of the plan.
Will PAL update the EPA resource library for the new versions of the plans? Yes. PAL will publish new EPA resource libraries to reflect the requirements of the latest versions of the assessment plans. The existing resource libraries will also remain live to support those working toward the previous versions of the assessment plans.
What other things will PAL do to support the transition to the new assessment plan? As well as the usual speedy response to any queries, PAL will offer a free webinar for all clients to summarise the changes to the end-point assessment.
How will PAL know which version of the assessment plan the apprentice has been working towards? Apprentices must be registered with PAL through the EPA Pro system under the appropriate version of the assessment plan. Training Providers should check that the correct version has been selected before referring the apprentice for EPA. PAL will confirm the selected version of the assessment plan with the apprentice when planning and scheduling the EPA.
STO227 Chef de Partie – Summary of Assessment Plan Changes
| Previous Assessment Plan | New Assessment Plan | |
| Assessment Window
Minimum |
2 Days 2 Months |
1 Week 4 Months |
| Order of Assessments | Professional Discussion must be undertaken last | No mandated order of assessments |
| Assessment Component | Knowledge Test 2 hours including reading time 46 – 60 scenario-based MCQ questions |
Knowledge Test 75 minutes, no reading time 50 MCQ questions |
| Assessment Component | Observation of Practice 4-hour observation of the apprentice in their working environment |
Observation with Questions 3½ hour observation of the apprentice in the workplaceThe assessor will ask a minimum of 8 questions over a maximum of 30 minutes during the observation, concerning KSBs that cannot be observedThe observation and question assessment may not be split |
| Assessment Component | Culinary Challenge 3-hour observation in a controlled environment |
|
| Assessment Component | Professional Discussion 90-minute discussionFocusing on the log of complex dishes, KSBs not covered sufficiently during the observation or culinary challenge, and areas identified in annex A of the assessment planEmployer presence is required |
Professional Discussion underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence Portfolio evidence collected while on the programme (replaces the log of complex dishes)The portfolio is not directly marked/assessed but will be reviewed by the assessor in preparation for the professional discussionThe portfolio should typically comprise 20 discreet pieces of evidence; qualitative, not quantitativeThe 90-minute professional discussion will have a minimum of 12 questions Questions will cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method Employer presence is not required |
| Assessment Weighting | Equal weighting for all assessments | Equal weighting for all assessments |
| Overall Grade Available | Fail, Pass, Distinction | Fail, Pass, Distinction |
| Reassessment | Resit – no further learning required
Retake- 1 to 3 months additional learning required Reassessed components capped at ‘pass’ grade Reassessment must take place within the assessment window, otherwise, the entire EPA will need to be re-taken Reassessment cannot be used to improve passing grades |
Resit or retake – Apprentices should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take
Overall grade capped at ‘pass’ if any component is resat or retaken All assessments must be taken within a 6 month period, otherwise, the entire EPA will need to be re-taken Reassessment cannot be used to improve passing grades |
STO228 Commis Chef – Summary of Assessment Plan Changes
| Previous Assessment Plan | New Assessment Plan | |
| Assessment Window Minimum Maximum |
2 Days 2 Months |
Not specified 4 Months |
| Order of Assessments | Professional Discussion must be undertaken last | No mandated order of assessments |
| Assessment Component | Knowledge Test 90 minutes 52 scenario-based MCQ questions |
Knowledge Test 75 minutes 50 MCQ questions |
| Assessment Component | Observation of Practice 3-hour observation of the apprentice in their working environment |
Practical Assessment with Questions 3-hour observation of the apprentice carrying out a set task or tasksCarried out in a controlled, simulated environment which closely relates to the apprentice’s natural working environment The assessment will focus on essential knowledge and skills in preparation, cooking and finishing of food items, and use of equipment that may not typically be observed during a service period in the workplace The assessor will ask a minimum of 6 questions during the observation, concerning KSBs that cannot be observed |
| Assessment Component | Culinary Challenge 2-hour observation in a controlled environment |
|
| Assessment Component | Professional Discussion 40-minute discussionFocusing on the recipe log, KSBs not covered sufficiently during the observation of culinary challenge, and areas identified in Annex A of the assessment plan Employer presence is required |
Professional Discussion underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence Portfolio evidence collected while on the programmeThe portfolio is not directly marked/assessed but will be reviewed by the assessor in preparation for the professional discussion The portfolio will typically comprise 20 discreet pieces of evidence; qualitative, not quantitative The 60-minute professional discussion will have a minimum of 12 questions Questions will cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method Employer presence is not required |
| Assessment Weighting | Equal weighting for all assessments | Equal weighting for all assessments |
| Overall Grade Available | Fail, Pass, Distinction | Fail, Pass, Distinction |
| Reassessment | Resit – no further learning required
Retake- 1 to 3 months additional learning required Reassessed components capped at ‘pass’ grade Reassessment must take place within the assessment window, otherwise, the entire EPA will need to be re-taken Reassessment cannot be used to improve passing grades |
Resit or retake – Apprentices should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take
Overall grade capped at ‘pass’ if any component is resat or retaken All assessments must be taken within a 6 month period, otherwise, the entire EPA will need to be re-taken Reassessment cannot be used to improve passing grades |
Please get in touch if you have any queries and we will be happy to help you.
