Blogs & Podcasts

Why Every School Leader Should Spend a Day with Their Exams Team (for the purpose of this blog we use the words Exams Officer to cover all staff involved in exams administration and management, for example Exams Officer and Exams Manager) How well do you understand the work your Exams Officer does every day? Could…

How Do I Know My Exams Team Needs Support? Our Top Ten Hints and Tips Your exams team does not have to be in crisis before you decide they need support. In fact, waiting until your exams team needs urgent help can make the situation much harder to resolve. Anything can happen at any time.…

Why Community Matters for Exams Professionals (for the purpose of this blog we use the words Exams Professional to cover all staff involved in exams administration and management, for example Exams Officer, Exams Manager) The exams profession is unlike many other roles within education.  It is highly specialised which is constantly evolving and carries significant…

A Guide to Working in Education If you have ever wondered what does a school administrator do, you are certainly not alone. School administration is one of those roles that can look very different from one education setting to another. In a school, college or training provider, administrators are often the people who keep information…

Let us start with something that might not sit comfortably. When an exams department is struggling – missing deadlines, firefighting daily issues, or facing compliance risks then it is very rarely down to one person. And yet, that is often where the focus lands. The exams officer/exams manager The person at the centre of it…

If you asked ten schools what their Data Manager does, you might get ten slightly different answers. The role of a School Data Manager can vary considerably depending on the size and type of school, the responsibilities of other members of the administrative team and the experience of the individual in the role. What is…

It Is Not Always the End: What Happens After Results Day? There was something wonderfully simple about collecting exam results when I left school. I can still remember standing in the school hall, nervously tracing my finger across a large noticeboard covered with everyone’s O Level results. There was no email notification, no secure online…

(For the purposes of the blog we use the words Exams Officer to cover all professionals involved in exams administration and management.)   Why is the Exam Officer Role Still Misunderstood ? by Sara Senior Business Development Manager Despite being central to one of the most high-risk functions in a centre, the exam officer role is still widely misunderstood. From the…

The Power of Reflection: Why Every Exams Team Should Complete an End of Year Review – by Director and Company Founder Paula Wood   End of Year Exams Reflection As another academic year draws to a close, many exam professionals find themselves moving straight from the final exam series into results preparation, claims, planning meetings and the inevitable “to do”…

There is something special about a conversation. Every Conversation Has the Power to Change Education.  Not the kind squeezed into a meeting agenda or hidden in a long email chain, but the conversations where people share their experiences, challenge ideas, celebrate successes and openly discuss the realities of working in education. That is exactly why…

Why Real-World Experience Matters in Exams Assist Training       At Exam Officers & Data Solutions Ltd, we are delighted to continue as the official training partner of Exams Assist, providing practical, engaging and professional training to schools, colleges and education providers across the UK. Technology is a powerful tool, but even the best…

Why Centres Struggle to Recruit Exam Officers – And What to Do About It. Recruiting a great Exams Officer/Manager is one of the biggest challenges that can face a school and college. Across the education sector, leaders are all asking for the same thing: experience. But what happens when experienced candidates are in short supply,…

Special Consideration in Exams: What It Really Means and Why It Matters More Than You Think Every summer, as the main exam season unfolds, there are thousands of unseen stories running alongside exam papers, mark schemes and grade boundaries. A student sitting quietly in an exam hall may be coping with bereavement. Another may be…

(For the purposes of the blog we use the words Exams Officer to cover all professionals involved in exams administration and management.)   Why Exam Officer Training Is Not Optional Anymore by Sara Senior Business Development Manager For many years, the role of the exams officer has been something people “fall into.” A colleague leaves,…

From Paper to People: The Hidden Challenges of Exam Season We have just completed the first week of the main summer exam timetable. This is a milestone that comes with both relief and renewed focus for exams officers, invigilators, teachers and school leaders. This time of year, always brings a unique mix of adrenaline and…

Let’s Talk Exam Inspections: What Centres Need to Know (and How to Prepare with Confidence) Exam inspections. Two words that can instantly raise the pulse of even the most experienced exams professional. In our online community, we regularly see exam staff sharing their inspection experiences – what went well, what did not and the lessons…

Recruiting and retaining invigilators has become increasingly challenging for many centres – so how do you build and retain a robust invigilation team? With exam seasons growing in complexity and with access arrangements rising year‑on‑year, having a dependable invigilation team is more important than ever.       So how can you build and retain…

“Which Access Arrangement is the hardest to organise in your centre?”   We have spent the last few weeks running polls across our LinkedIn and our *online community*.   So, what are access arrangements? Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments, based on the normal way of working and evidence of need.   They allow candidates/learners with special education needs, disabilities, or temporary…

From No Induction to Global Impact: Why I Pioneered  Exams Officer Training There is a system called SIMS  and that is where my journey into the world of exams began. There did not seem to be any Exams Officer Training. Before stepping into education, I had built my career in the civil service and the…

In this episode of Educational Insights, Paula, founder and director of Exam Officers and Data Solutions, is joined by Dr Robert Sharples. Rob is the founder of Heddle EAL, working with schools and MATs to embed effective EAL provision. He is the author of Teaching EAL: Evidence-based strategies for classrooms and schools and holds an…

Today Company Director and Founder planted some trees and they are more than just part of the company sustainability goals. They represent something deeper: the power of the right environment, support and determination helps us all to thrive. In this blog post Paula talks about where she was in her life journey when she started in business, where the company is now and her personal message to us all…..

Under Joint Council for Qualifications regulations, the Head of Centre is the person ultimately accountable for ensuring the security, integrity and compliance of examinations and assessments.
This responsibility extends to senior leaders who oversee exams administration, access arrangements and centre compliance. Without proper management training for exams, centres are exposed to unnecessary risk particularly during peak points in the exam cycle.

In this episode of Educational Insights, Paula, founder and director of Exam Officers and Data Solutions, is joined by Heather Rhodes, principal and founder of Highgrove Education.
Heather shares insights on the unique approach by Highgrove Education to providing a top-tier independent school education online and supporting students transitioning from traditional education.
Paula and Heather discuss barriers like rising exam fees, whether we need more than one awarding body, the impact of COVID-19 on  schooling and innovative solutions such as remote invigilation.  

Why CPD Matters for Exam Centres  And How the Digital CPD Passport Brings Transparency and Confidence In exams management, administration and access arrangements, nothing stands still for long. Regulations evolve, expectations rise and responsibility across centres continues to grow. For those working in exams, SEND and access arrangements, strong, high-quality Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is…

Exams Officers, Managers and what is the the Future of The Profession? The History of the Exams Officer Role. Over 20 years ago, a national reform changed the landscape of education. The Remodelling the School Workforce initiative, part of the National Agreement on Raising Standards and Tackling Workload (2003), was designed to reduce teacher workload…

In this episode of Educational Insights, Paula, founder and director of Exam Officers and Data Solutions, is joined by Anthony Benedict, CEO of Ambition Community Trust. Anthony discusses his extensive career in education, his journey into trauma and attachment theories, and how these have reshaped his approach to running pupil referral units and multi-academy trusts.…

Join Paula, founder of Exam Officers and Data Solutions Limited, as she discusses the evolving role of AI in education with deputy head teacher, Daniel Walton-Smith. They explore the rapid advancement of AI in assessments, data handling, and how it is transforming educational administration and teaching methodologies. Both share insights, practical tips for educators, and…

Join James from Scanning Pens as he hosts an insightful webinar with Paula Wood, founder and director of Exam Officer and Data Solutions Limited. Paula shares her extensive knowledge on supporting exam centres, training, and compliance. They discuss challenges faced by new and experienced exam officers, the importance of planning, communication, using technology, and maintaining…

Join Paula and Emma as they dive into all thing’s exams. With their combined wealth of experienced they share their expert insights and practical strategies to help you navigate exam season with confidence. In this session, Emma reveals her top five tips for a successful exam season, drawing from years of hands-on experience in exam…

This month we are delighted to be joined by Daniel Walton. Assessment Lead & Deputy Headteacher as our guest blogger… Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the classroom: assessment. Love it or loathe it (and let’s be honest, it’s mostly loathe), marking and analysing student work has been the bane of teachers’ lives for…

Invigilation—A Flexible Way to Earn and Give Back Are you looking for a flexible role that fits around your schedule? Invigilation could be the perfect opportunity for you! It’s not only a great way to earn extra income but also a rewarding chance to support the education sector and make a real difference. In our…

Recruitment in the Exams Sector—Challenges and Solutions Recruitment has been a challenge in the exams sector for some time now, with constant staff turnover adding further complexity. So, what can be done to attract and retain talented individuals? In our latest podcast episode, we explore the pressing issues facing recruitment in this sector and discuss…

Social media often highlights the glamorous side of life, but Paula, the company director, has always been a fan of keeping it real. A few years ago, during the festive season, while everyone was sharing pictures of their perfectly plated Christmas dinners, she proudly posted a photo of her burnt pigs in blankets. So we…

Join us for an insightful conversation between Paula Wood, Company Director/Exam Specialist and Barry Wheller, access arrangements specialist as they delve into the latest Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) updates for the 2024/2025 academic year. In this episode, they explore the key changes impacting on exam professionals and offer expert perspectives on the future of…

Written By Barry Wheller – Barry is an experienced EAA assessor who balances his time between his part-time role at an outstanding FE college in the Northwest and managing his successful nationwide exam access arrangements company. His company specialises in providing expert exam access arrangements and SEND support services to schools and colleges across the…

After the frantically busy summer term and August results day(s) the start of the new academic year offers Exams Officers the opportunity to work at a more relaxed pace. But of course, whilst some colleagues may assume that Exam Officers don’t have much to do at this point in the academic year, the Autumn term…

The end of the summer season. Is there such a thing? There are certainly little endings, the last exam for sure. But maybe earlier than that, you can close up one exam space earlier than the others, pack up a few desks, take down some signage? All leading up to that part of the year…

The one thing you can be sure of as an Exams Officer is that there is always plenty to do and always plenty to be planning for! In this blog, we’ll be exploring those competing demands and what you can do to mitigate workload issues throughout the year. At any one time you could be…

So, we’ve reached that bit between Christmas (results days) and New Year (erm, new year) when it’s a case of tidying up what’s done and looking ahead to what’s new – planning and trying to find a place for everything. The world of qualifications being what it is, nothing stays the same for long and…

It has been five amazing years… As I pack my suitcase to travel to deliver another exam office face-to-face support session it is time to reflect on the last five years. What I have learnt about running a business. Here are my top five lessons learnt: 1. Find Your Tribe. It is not always easy…

The summer exam season is back and how we have missed you… Exam Officers & Data Solutions Ltd was created to support the exams function within schools and colleges. This can help maximise student success, as well as ensuring compliance with the Joint Council for Qualifications and Awarding Organisations regulations. Behind every business is a…

We are delighted to be able to announce a face to face event exam officer professional development day which will take place on Tuesday 28th September in London. We are looking forward to seeing people again! There will break out rooms for both new to role exam officers and experienced exam officers. We will be…

Access Arrangements and the Exam Officer So, what are access arrangements? Access Arrangements are pre-examination adjustments, based on the normal way of working and evidence of need. Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special education needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. It is a requirement of…