WeST Learning Institute has been on the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) end point assessment organisation register since 2018. We were approved to deliver EPAO of Teacher apprenticeships by Open Awards in 2019, and commenced EPA work on that standard in 2021. We gained Ofqual recognition for other standards that we end point assess in 2022.

WeST Learning Institute’s EPAO service is endorsed by ESFA, Ofqual and the Department for Education (DfE). We joined the register of EPAOs in 2018, and have been completing end point assessment of Teacher apprentices since 2021.

WeST Learning Institute has been an apprenticeship provider since 2017, delivering apprenticeships within the education and childcare sectors.

Working in partnership with two UK higher education institutions (HEIs), WeST Learning Institute currently employs over 20 Academic Professionals to deliver academic qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in professional practice, including Early Years, Inclusive Education, Learning and Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People.

In addition to this, WeST Learning Institute is a DfE provider of Initial Teacher Training, and ensures that all staff remain current and conversant with developments in teaching and learning pedagogy.

WeST Learning Institute is a provider of CPD training for professionals in both academic and applied roles to ensures that all partners have access to the latest information on learning and teaching, and WeST LI staff are expected to participate in or undertake their own active research projects - with four international funded projects being spearheaded by WeST Learning Institute currently.

Our team of independent assessors is led by Lead Assessor Trevor Davies; an experienced education professional who has worked in a range of education settings in different roles as a secondary teacher, senior manager, education adviser, CPD provider and Lead Academic Professional for the WeST Learning Institute, teaching on the Education Degree programmes.

Our IQA Lead, Lesley Taylor spent 20 years as a senior leader in a successful secondary school with responsibility for Initial Teacher Training, Primary Liaison programmes, and work related learning.  She held seconded positions within the Local Authority leading the development of vocational education, careers education and guidance, and Diplomas.  She held position of Safeguarding Governor at two primary schools, and was a primary school governor for 25 years.

Our Teacher assessment team are all current or recent practitioners. They come from a range of education settings across England, and a range of roles in senior management at primary and secondary level. They are experienced not only in assessment at Level 6, but also in the design, delivery and content of ITT programmes. Collectively to date they have completed over 70 assessments online to meet the needs of apprentices and employers. These assessments have been with apprentices from a wide range of settings at all Key Stages, including Special Education and alternative provision.

Characteristics and experience within our team of assessors:

• Experience and detailed curriculum knowledge across a range of subject specialisms and key stages allowing assignment of an expert assessor relevant to each apprentice’s field
• Experience of delivery, mentoring and guidance on a range of ITT programmes, in different settings
• Experience at senior management level in primary and secondary education
• In depth knowledge of, and ability to assess against the Teachers Standards
• Experience of design and delivery of the Teacher Apprenticeship
• Experience of assessment practice at various levels from Early Years to Degree level
• Empathetic and supportive practice, prioritising clear and prompt communication to ensure the apprentice and employer are guided through the EPA process
• Extensive experience of online delivery of the whole EPA to allow a smooth but rigorous process.

All these factors enable us to ensure a sector-led design and delivery of the EPA process by those who understand the challenges EPA can pose and know how to make the most of the benefits it offers your trainee teachers.

"I have worked with many EPAOs and The [WeST] Learning Institute are the most supportive and empathetic to the work that we are doing with our apprentices on programme.  They have been there every step of the way to provide advice and guidance on the End Point Assessment (EPA) process.  They provided me with individualised support that was tailored to my needs as an FE and HE provider.  The breadth of experience of the assessment team endorses their expertise in assessing the range of sectors my apprentices were working in, and the support on offer from the Lead Assessor for the Academic Professional standard is outstanding.  I would recommend The [WeST] Learning Institute to anyone looking for an EPAO."

"The personalised approach offered to me when I started searching for an EPAO for my apprentices was crucial in ensuring that we set up this important relationship well and in advance. There was plenty of opportunity to discuss, negotiate and plan around our unique provision, but with the assurance of clear and expert guidance on the standard’s requirements and needs.

We are delighted with the progress and success of our Apprentices which we felt was celebrated during a well organised, highly competent and experienced process. Compassionate, supportive and proactive feedback was provided after the process to help us quality assure and improvement plan for the next cohort."

Your message (to epao@learninginstitute.co.uk) will be passed on to our Assessment Team, and you will normally receive a response within three working days.

A video conference to discuss requirements and services. Our experienced, professional and responsive Lead Assessor understands the challenges of working towards Gateway and end point assessment, and the importance of supporting the uniqueness of your apprentices and their learning journey.

This agreement will be personalised to meet your specific needs, with schedule dates and costings agreed, and proposed dates for Gateway and end point assessment negotiated. You will need to provide a purchase order number.

Currently [as of September 2022], the costs are: £1,000 per apprentice, £150 per resit of each assessment component. There is an additional cost of £7.50 per apprentice for registration on to ACE360 for Gateway.

We provide a webinar information session for apprentices, which will include:

• a breakdown of the three assessment methods
• providing examples of evidence that can be used
• issue of supporting documents

Additional support for employer/provider includes:

• Ongoing dialogue with dedicated support team to aid the preparation of apprentices for End Point Assessment.
• Training provided by ACE360 to support upload of Gateway documents

To facilitate a smooth transition through Gateway, your admin team can register your apprentices on ACE360 at any stage of the apprenticeship. We would recommend that they are registered at least three months before end point assessment.

When apprentices are ready for end point assessment, employer/provider can then upload EPA evidence for each apprentice to ACE360. Once all evidence has been uploaded, this will trigger the assessment period.

Once EPA evidence has been uploaded, assessors are allocated to apprentices. They will contact apprentices and arrange a date for the Observation and Professional Discussion assessment. Assessments are carried out and moderated. It is anticipated that the assessment period will be completed within 25 working days.