SBP End-Point Assessment Level 4
Best Practice Network is an Ofqual regulated, independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the assessment of the School Business Professional Level 4 Apprenticeship.
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Assessment methods
Apprentices will be assessed according to the requirements of the Level 4 School Business Professional standard assessment plan laid out by Skills England.
As an EPAO, BPN tests the apprentice against the entire standard through 2 assessment methods:
- Simulated task (90 minutes to prepare a short written report, 10 minutes to present the report, and a 10-12 minute Q&A)
- Project report and presentation with questions and answers (approved workplace project report submitted by week 2 of the EPA period, 10-12 minutes to present the report, a 10 minute Q&A and a 20-22 minute Q&A)
The knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) to be tested by each assessment method are set out in Annex 1 in the Assessment Plan. Apprentices signed up with BPN will have access to resources that include a coded version of the grading criteria to support preparation for assessment. Each assessment method will be graded fail, pass or distinction.
How we assess what the apprentice has learned
End-point assessment (EPA) is a vital part of any apprenticeship. Its purpose is to confirm that an apprentice is fully capable of doing their job before they receive their apprenticeship certificate. It also demonstrates that the learning gained throughout the programme can be applied in the real world.
For the School Business Professional standard, two assessment methods are used:
- Simulated task – Reflects a real-world scenario where a school business professional may need to gather and present information to school governors within a tight timeframe.
- Workplace project report, presentation and Q&A – Apprentices prepare a report and presentation based on a project delivered in their workplace, then answer questions about the application of their wider learning.
Expert assessment you can trust
BPN independent assessors are selected for their sector expertise and their assessment experience. Our team will assess and grade each assessment activity separately and combine the results to determine the EPA and apprenticeship grade.
Best Practice Network were one of the first two organisations to become an EPAO for the School Business Professional (SBP) Level 4 Standard in early 2019 and works with training providers, employers and apprentices on a national basis.
As an Ofqual regulated EPAO, Best Practice Network is approved to deliver end-point assessments (EPA) for the School Business Professional Level 4 apprenticeship.
While we specialise as an independent, separate body to apprenticeship training providers, we have considerable experience and knowledge of the sector as a provider of the Diploma for School Business Managers qualifications at levels 4 & 5.
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What is end-point assessment (EPA)
End-point assessment (EPA) is a vital part of any apprenticeship.
The DfE is developing standards to raise the quality of apprenticeships by responding to the needs of employers, who know what they want from their employees. EPA is the assessment process for the new apprenticeship standards in England.
The focus is now on the outcome of an apprenticeship and apprentices have to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers have identified they need.
The purpose of the EPA is to test that an apprentice is fully capable of doing their job before they receive their apprenticeship certificate. It also helps to demonstrate that what an apprentice has learned can be applied in the real world.
Government legislation states that EPA must be delivered by a separate body to the employer and training provider.
Employers should choose an appropriate End-point Assessment Organisation and agree on the price of EPA at the beginning of the apprenticeship journey.
Best Practice Network was one of the first two organisations to become an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the School Business Professional (SBP) Level 4 Standard.
As a registered EPAO, Best Practice Network is approved to deliver end-point assessments (EPA) for the School Business Professional Level 4 apprenticeship. While we specialise as an independent, separate body to apprenticeship training providers, we have considerable experience and knowledge of the sector as a provider of the Diploma for School Business Leaders qualification at levels 4 and 5.
Best Practice Network, supporting Outstanding Leaders Partnership, received the award for ‘Education Company of the Year’ at the 2020 Bett Awards. The judges said, “The external DfE Quality review demonstrates clearly that (Best Practice Network) is providing high-quality programmes to schools and their online and face-to-face training combination is impressive”.
'Education Company of the Year'
Best Practice Network is one of the UK’s largest providers of training, development, and support for education professionals with 97% of our candidates recommending us to a colleague.
We work in close partnership with practising education professionals to develop and deliver high-quality CPD, qualifications and assessments that help school leaders, early years practitioners, business managers, support staff and SENCOs be the best they can be and transform the lives of children and young people. Learn more about the programmes we offer.
To support effective provision of our SBPL4 services, we adhere to a range of relevant EPAO policies:
EPAO Appeals Policy
EPAO Complaints Policy
EPAO Conflict of Interest Policy
EPAO Equality and Diversity Policy
EPAO Fair Access and Special Considerations Policy
EPAO Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
EPAO Reasonable Adjustments Policy
EPAO AI Policy
EPAO Policy on cancellations, resits and retakes
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