Exam board expands efforts to recruit markers

The need for new markers is expected to increase over the next few years as education reforms place more emphasis on exams as opposed to coursework. These changes include amending the grading system from A*-G to 9-1 and having exams at the end of a two year period instead of dividing courses into modules.

Current recruiting efforts have seen OCR hire over 4,500 new markers this year, but this has only maintained current levels at around 15,000 markers and OCR estimates that an extra 5,000 markers will be needed over the next few years.

The new recruiting drive includes advertising on Classic FM, P&O cruises, Sky TV, billboards and Twitter. They have also targeted Universities, private schools and subject associations in search of qualified staff.

Mark Dawe, chief executive of OCR, said: “The shortage of examiners is a system-wide problem which has affected all exam boards in recent years. Everyone has a stake in getting assessment right by ensuring that there are enough teachers to maintain high-quality marking.

"OCR has successfully recruited 4,500 more examiners, and is undertaking research into the issues teachers and exam boards face. And we hope the Department for Education will join with exam boards, school leadership groups and other stakeholders to help find a long-lasting solution to this problem.”

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