Focus Groups: Grading in 2022

Project objectives The objective of the work is to explore the attitudes of parents, teachers and students to grading in 2022.

The project should provide in depth, qualitative evidence of stakeholder views to inform decision making.

In addition to providing evidence of stakeholder views, the supplier should also provide interpretation of the findings from the focus groups in light of their up-to-date knowledge of the education policy and stakeholder environment.

The supplier should also provide advice on implications for future engagement with parents, teachers and students on the issue of grading.

At Ofquals request the Supplier will also provide any additional evidence/information in order to demonstrate compliance with this specification.

Ofqual will use this information to inform our approach to grading for 2022.

Project deliverables The Supplier will be required to achieve/deliver the following under the contract: a) Design of focus groups to ensure that they address the issue identified, with the focus group design captured in an agreed discussion guide b) Securing focus group participants, in line with the specified composition of focus group members c) Undertaking seven focus groups, in line with the discussion guide d) Production of notes from each focus group, to be sent to Ofqual within two working days e) Analysis of findings from the focus groups including identification of common, and different themes by stakeholder group f) Analysis and interpretation of the findings from the focus groups in light of the current education policy and stakeholder environment g) Production of findings report in line with the specification h) Attendance at a meeting with Ofqual members of staff to report the findings - this is likely to be virtual attendance via Teams i) If required, attendance at a meeting of the Ofqual Board to present findings