Content Author & Principal Examiner A level Chemistry 9CH0_01 - Fully Remote

Pearson; City Of London; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading education company seeks a Principal Examiner for GCE A Level Chemistry to ensure assessment standards. Responsibilities include overseeing examiners, leading standardisation meetings, and supporting assessment processes. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in quality assurance and educational practices. Competitive salary offered, based in London.

Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of quality assurance and assessment practice.
• History of moderation and/or marking a regulated qualification.
• Excellent communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the timely delivery of contracted units/modules/components.
• Lead standardisation meetings and participate in appeals against results.
• Provide support and oversight across several versions of the paper.

Skills

Quality assurance

Moderation experience

Communication skills

Training coordination

Knowledge of assessment practices

Education

UK recognized teaching qualification

Degree

Job description

Content Author & Principal Examiner – GCE A Level Chemistry 9CH0_01

As we continue to transition to a digital environment, we know that it's essential to revisit and update our approaches to assessment delivery. Our aim is to create a modern assessment delivery system that sets us up for the future, supports Senior Associates better in their role, further supports our customers, and delivers the best outcomes for learners.

About Pearson

At Pearson we are committed to a world that is always learning. We bring lectures to life and turn textbooks into laptop lessons, re-examining how 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.

Purpose

The Principal Examiner ensures 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 oversees the standardisation of Examiners.

Core Services and Expectations

• Act in a way that does 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

• Ensure the timely delivery of your contracted unit(s)/module(s)/component(s).
• Update the mark scheme/guidance before the pre-standardisation meeting, taking into account actual candidates' responses and feedback from supervisors/Examiners.
• Lead meetings such as pre-standardisation and standardisation and participate in others such as appeals against results and post-series reviews.
• Select and mark items for validity as agreed at the pre-standardisation meeting.
• Mark an allocation of live candidates' responses to quality assure as part of a supervisory role, where required.
• Prepare and collate materials for standardisation.
• Support supervisors and Examiners.
• Sample supervisors/Examiners' initial marking and backreading responses, as directed, using the appropriate Pearson marking system to target backreading and correct specific problems.
• Monitor the progress of supervisors/Examiners.
• Review responses for clarification.
• Act as a senior point of escalation across the quality assurance process.
• Provide support across several versions of the paper, including all those introduced previously, and any versions introduced during the contractual period.
• Monitor and report to the Assessment team after standardisation and completion of marking, submitting a completed feedback form for each supervisor/Examiner as directed.
• Support in awarding activities by writing reports to the Awarding Committee, recommending grade boundaries, participating in the awarding activities, and other areas where required.
• Complete the Senior Assessment Associate review process reflecting on your own challenges and successes and attend a follow-up meeting with the assessment team where required.
• Submit reports on the series/candidate performance.
• Provide support and written responses to complaints where required.

Skills and Competencies

Required

• 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.

Experience and Qualifications

Qualifications required to apply for your chosen role at Pearson will depend on the qualification you are delivering. Please contact Pearson ahead of your application if the requirements are not clear.

General Qualifications (e.g. GCSE/A LEVEL)

• Degree.
• A UK recognised teaching qualification.

Upon successful application Pearson may ask you to provide proof of the qualifications required.