The Department for Education has delayed its implementation of new rules for technical awards on key stage 4 performance tables.

The new rules will now apply for qualifications on the 2024 key stage 4 performance tables (for qualifications being taught from September 2022) rather than the 2023 key stage 4 performance tables.

As previously reported, technical awards such as OCR’s Cambridge Nationals, were due to be submitted for approval under new criteria. This included a ‘terminal assessment’ contributing at least 40% of the total marks available for the qualification.

The delay was announced because of the impact on awarding organisations of the coronavirus and the urgent need to make new arrangements to award qualifications this summer.

The revised timeline for the submission of technical awards for the 2024 performance tables has yet to be confirmed.

Qualifications in this category that are approved for 2022 performance tables will be carried forward onto 2023 tables.

Taken by 35% of key stage 4 pupils alongside GCSEs, technical awards are Level 1 and 2 non-GCSE performance table qualifications that are designed to provide pupils with applied knowledge and practical skills of a sector or occupational group.