Recently, SDN Senior Associate, and assessment specialist – Emily Hughes – caught up with Sarah Burrows, Chief Education Officer at PMA about her experience on SDN’s Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment.
Take a few minutes to learn about Sarah’s experience, the insights and benefits she took from the course, how a deeper understanding has shaped her career trajectory and the overall distinction rate for learners at the PMA.
What benefits have you learned and applied from the course?
“I’ve gained valuable insights into the end-point assessment (EPA) journey, which has helped shape our approach as an organisation in supporting both the continuing professional development (CPD) of our team and the preparation of our apprentices to achieve the highest possible grades.
At PMA, we’re guided by our “delivered-to-distinction” strategy, which aims to deliver all training to meet distinction-level knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs). We felt the SDN course was well-aligned with our mission to support every learner in reaching their full potential by preparing thoroughly for EPA.
The course allowed us to explore the assessment methods our apprentices would encounter, identifying their strengths, and limitations. We were able to review the various assessment methods to determine their effectiveness and suitability, and how to adapt them if necessary.
A key benefit was the opportunity to standardise grading decisions across the cohort. Together, we evaluated the same learners work or professional discussion, sparking rich, thought-provoking conversations: “Why do you see this as a pass, while I grade it higher? What am I missing?” These exchanges encouraged us to consider whether apprentices were simply using keywords confidently or genuinely analysing and reflecting on their work.
This learning was pivotal for me. It allowed me to return to my team with fresh insights, urging us to reassess our grading decisions to ensure they were robust. Our internal standardisation meetings have become stronger and more focused as we now ask the right questions.
We’ve also deepened our understanding of EPA requirements, scrutinising the assessment plan details to ensure full coverage of every KSB with high-quality evidence. As a team, we examine each apprenticeship standard’s KSBs to refine and elevate our programme’s quality, always aiming to guide our apprentices toward distinction.”
What’s it like to be a participant on this course?
“The course was a fantastic learning experience, offering a diverse range of assessment methods, teaching strategies, and collaboration with peers from various sectors. This exposure to different subject areas, even within the framework of generic apprenticeship standards, provided a unique perspective on how these standards apply across fields.
Our group was led by formidable, occupationally competent, tutors who taught in a way that encouraged us to build our understanding step-by-step. We had live sessions, recorded videos, and multiple assessment formats, allowing everyone to find methods suited to their strengths. This mirrored the apprenticeship experience, giving us a genuine sense of being in the learner’s shoes.
The tutors’ passion for apprenticeships and dedication to helping learners succeed was evident. They were approachable and provided developmental feedback, always pushing us to go further. Great CPD, like this, inspires you to continue learning and do even more inspirational things.
Despite being seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge of our fields, the course challenged us to justify and refine our assessment decisions. We were rigorously questioned on our reasoning and encouraged to explain decisions based on specific criteria and evidence. This reflective approach was a safe, non-judgmental way to critically examine our decision-making and ensure each KSB was thoroughly covered. This level of accountability was immensely beneficial, helping us strengthen the rationale behind our assessments and be confident in justifying our decisions.”
How did you find working with peers from different sectors?
“Sometimes you can get stuck in your own lane. Working with the sector peers in my cohort certainly broadened my perspective on delivering a generic apprenticeship standard. Seeing how others approached teaching specific KSBs sparked ideas for my own learners. While some methods didn’t always apply directly, occasionally, I’d find a “golden nugget” — an approach that fit perfectly and could enhance our own delivery.
We also exchanged insights on EPA organisations (EPAOs), discussing which ones provided high-quality, learner-centred assessments, valuable feedback, and good value. This sharing of best practices allowed us to learn from each other’s experiences and strengthen our approach across the sector.”
What advice would you pass on to someone thinking of starting this course?
“My first tip: do it! Put everything into the course. It’s only short, but it’s made a huge impact on me and my organisation.
It’s essential to commit to the scheduled dates. The live workshops are incredibly enriching. You gain so much from engaging in group discussions—from both facilitators and peers. The more you put in, the more you get out.
I recommend organisations enrol groups rather than individuals. Our CPD plan includes having all our tutors complete this Level 3 course to better understand the EPA experience. By getting involved in EPA work, our tutors can better support learners in achieving top grades.”
As a manager, what benefits has this course brought to your organisation and team?
“Since completing the course, our distinction rate has risen to 46%. This improvement reflects our clearer understanding of assessment expectations and what makes the EPA experience exemplary.
We now collaborate more effectively with EPAOs and can confidently challenge outcomes when necessary. If a learner’s work deserves a distinction but receives a pass, we’re equipped to address this professionally and collaboratively, ensuring fair, valid results.
The course has also sharpened our team’s feedback skills. We now provide clear guidance on how learners can better demonstrate specific KSBs to achieve higher grades and ensure they meet assessment criteria. We’re more adept at justifying our assessment decisions and explaining any unmet criteria to learners, leading to a stronger, more supportive approach overall.”
How has the Level 3 course prepared you for the next steps in your career?
“It’s made me realise that I want to include becoming an end-point assessor in my career path. Gaining insight into both sides of the EPA experience feels essential, as I’ve primarily been focused on tutoring, training, and development. Expanding into assessment would complete my experience and add another skill to my toolkit.
The course has also enhanced my ability to prepare our apprentices for success. I anticipated it would benefit our current and future learners, and the rise in our distinction rate already shows the positive impact this training has had on learners and our overall program.”
Further Support
If you’re interested in sharing Sarah’s experience, you can learn more about our Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment here.
This course is available via open online sessions, or we can deliver in-house to tailor the content to your organisation.