Navigating post-16 qualification reform: Insights from our experts

From qualification design to assessment, we unpack the latest developments.

02 September 2026

The post-16 qualifications landscape is undergoing significant change. As reforms continue to take shape, providers are seeking greater clarity on what the changes could mean for qualification delivery, assessment and learner progression.

During our recent Navigating Post-16 Reforms webinar, our experts Bryony Kingsland, Senior Partnerships & Policy Manager, and Richard Burns, Senior Development Manager, explored what's driving these changes, how new qualifications are expected to be developed and what providers can expect from emerging assessment arrangements. We've brought together some of the key discussion points, offering further insight into the opportunities and challenges ahead for the education and skills sector.

What feels different about these reforms compared to previous changes to post-16 education?

What makes these qualification reforms stand out is their clear focus on supporting economic growth and improving opportunity. They represent one of the most significant overhauls of the post-16 skills system in a generation and are expected to impact providers across the sector.

Historically, there has often been a disconnect between qualification provision and the skills employers need. As digital transformation, automation and changing workforce demands have accelerated, that skills gap has become increasingly apparent. The reforms aim to address this challenge by strengthening the link between learning and labour market needs.

This approach has informed plans to simplify the current qualifications landscape, creating clearer pathways at level 3 through A Levels, T Levels and the new V Levels, while introducing Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates at level 2 to support progression into further study, apprenticeships and employment.

However, the success of the reforms will depend on the design and delivery of the qualifications themselves. It's important that new qualifications not only meet employer needs but also provide meaningful outcomes for learners and remain practical for providers to deliver. That's why continued engagement between government, awarding organisations and the education sector will be crucial as reforms continue to develop. Our customer advisory boards and customer voice platform play an important role in this, providing ongoing opportunities to listen to and act on feedback from across the sector.

How will the new qualifications be designed?

The new qualifications will be built around nationally set content, which defines the knowledge, skills and understanding that learners are expected to develop. Awarding organisations have been reviewing this content closely to assess its technical requirements, deliverability and implications for assessment.

While awarding organisations will be able to provide further detail and guidance within their qualification specifications, the core content itself will remain fixed. Any additional information included in specifications will be designed to support teaching, learning and assessment, rather than alter the intended scope of the qualification.

Each qualification will also be expected to meet specific guided learning hour (GLH) requirements. Awarding organisations will therefore need to demonstrate how qualification content, assessment design and delivery expectations fit within those parameters.

In some subject areas, learners may be able to follow different routes through a qualification. Where optional routes exist, awarding organisations will need to ensure that these pathways are clearly defined and that learners are assessed consistently, regardless of which route they choose.

The nationally set content will also help create clearer links between qualifications, occupational standards and progression opportunities. This should support smoother transition routes into employment, apprenticeships and further learning, while also creating opportunities for greater alignment across related qualifications.

What do we know about assessment approaches?

Although full assessment requirements are still being developed, we know that regulators will set overarching expectations that awarding organisations must meet for qualifications to be approved.

One consistent feature across the new qualifications is expected to be a combination of examinations and non-exam assessment.

Examinations

Examinations will be set and marked by the awarding organisation and sat at scheduled times. This approach helps ensure consistency and comparability across learners.

Non-exam assessment

Non-exam assessments offer greater flexibility in delivery. While they will also be set by the awarding organisation, they can typically be completed within defined assessment windows and may involve different marking and moderation arrangements depending on the qualification.

Synoptic assessment

Assessments are expected to include synoptic elements. This means learners will need to demonstrate that they can draw together and apply knowledge, understanding and skills from across different areas of the qualification, rather than simply demonstrate isolated pieces of learning.

As qualification design progresses, assessment approaches will continue to be refined. For providers, understanding how these different assessment methods will work in practice will be a key part of preparing for implementation. Assessments will take place as dated assessments or within an assessment window set by City & Guilds.

Key takeaways

The reforms aim to create a more employer-aligned post-16 qualification system.
Qualification provision is being redesigned to better reflect workforce and economic needs.
New qualifications will be built around nationally set content, with limited flexibility for awarding organisations.
Assessments will include assessment by examination and non-exam assessment.
Ongoing consultation and sector engagement will play a vital role in shaping how reforms are implemented.

Looking ahead

While many aspects of the reforms are still being finalised, the direction of travel is becoming clearer. For providers, staying informed and engaging with the development process will be essential to understanding the opportunities and challenges ahead. As qualification design and assessment arrangements continue to evolve, collaboration across the sector will be key to ensuring the reforms deliver meaningful outcomes for learners, employers and educators alike.