Principal Examiner for GCE A Level Music Technology (9MT0_03)

Principal Examiner for GCE A Level Music Technology (9MT0_03)

About Pearson

At Pearson we’re committed to a world that’s always learning. From bringing lectures vividly to life to turning textbooks into laptop lessons, we are always re-examining the way people learn best. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to be better. By pushing the boundaries of technology, and each other to surpass these boundaries, we create seeds of learning that become the catalyst for the world’s innovations, personal and global. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.

Principal Examiner Purpose

The Principal Examiner is there to ensure that the standards of an externally assessed unit(s)/module(s)/component(s) are maintained and are consistent with the unit specification and assessment criteria. The Principal Examiner should oversee the standardisation of Examiners.

Core Services and Expectations

When carrying out your role, please be mindful that you represent Pearson and that you should always maintain your professional integrity. Therefore, it is essential that you:

• Act at all times in a way which will not bring Pearson, its employees, and its representatives into disrepute.
• Read all Pearson policies and guidance prior to undertaking contracted activities.
• Respect the confidentiality of centres and learners.
• Attend any and all meetings or training sessions provided, relevant to your role, where requested by Pearson.
• Adhere to deadlines given by Pearson and ensure that all work is carried out to the best of an individual’s ability.
• Remain respectful and advocate for others to ensure and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in a professional manner when carrying out services on behalf of Pearson.
• Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson software, relevant malware, appropriate virus protection software, a suitable internet connection, and a personal, secure email account.
• Communicate with Pearson and its centres in a timely manner when carrying out all designated responsibilities.
• Raise any concerns if you suspect or are made aware of any malpractice, maladministration, and/or Safeguarding issues.

Role Specific Services and Expectations

As well as Pearson’s core services expectations, there are also role-specific services and expectations that you must consider and be able to provide. These include:

• Ensuring the timely delivery of your contracted unit(s)/module(s)/component(s).
• Updating the mark scheme/guidance before the pre-standardisation meeting, taking into account actual candidates’ responses and feedback from supervisors/Examiners.
• Leading meetings such as pre-standardisation and standardisation and participating in others such as appeals against results and post-series reviews. You may also be asked to represent Pearson at board hearings for examination appeals.
• Selecting and marking items for validity as agreed at the pre-standardisation meeting.
• Marking an allocation of live candidates’ responses, to quality assure as part of a supervisory role, where required.
• Preparing and collating materials for standardisation.
• Supporting supervisors and Examiners.
• Sampling supervisors/Examiners' initial marking and backreading responses, as directed, using the appropriate Pearson marking system to target backreading and correct specific problems.
• Monitoring the progress of supervisors/Examiners.
• Reviewing responses for clarification.
• Acting as a senior point of escalation across the quality assurance process.
• Providing support across several versions of the paper, including all those introduced previously, and any versions introduced during the contractual period.
• Monitoring and reporting to the Assessment team after standardisation and completion of marking, submitting a completed feedback form for each supervisor/Examiner as directed.
• Supporting in awarding activities by writing reports to the Awarding Committee, recommending grade boundaries, participating in the awarding activities, and other areas where required.
• Completing the Senior Assessment Associate review process reflecting on your own challenges and successes and attending a follow-up meeting with the assessment team where required.
• Submitting reports on the series/candidate performance.
• Providing support and written responses to complaints where required.

Experience and Qualifications required

Skills and Competencies

As the Principal Examiner, you will be expected to demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

Required

• You will have experience and knowledge of quality assurance and assessment practice.
• You will have a history of moderation and/or marking a regulated qualification.
• You will have a comprehensive knowledge of the specification for your specialist sector.
• You will have proven ability to provide and co-ordinate training such as standardisation and other standards-related activities.
• You will have excellent communication skills.
• You will have the ability to work well under pressure.
• You will have the ability to meet deadlines.
• You will have proven track record of leading quality assurance activities.

Desirable

• You will have assessment experience.
• You will have experience of managing people.
• You will have a high level of IT proficiency.
• You will have leadership experience in delivering qualifications.
• You will have knowledge of regulatory compliance and requirements.
• You will have experience of report writing within a regulated industry.

Qualifications

• Qualifications required to apply for your chosen role at Pearson will depend on the qualification you are delivering. Please contact Pearson ahead of your application if the requirements are not clear.

• General Qualifications (e.g. GCSE/A LEVEL)

• You will hold a degree.

• You will hold a teaching qualification.

• You will have experience of teaching the relevant subject and level.

• Industry Background

• Music Technology background required.

• Please note upon successful application Pearson may ask you to provide proof of the qualifications required.

• Application Information We have a number of opportunities available for teaching professionals to join our growing teams of examiners, moderators and verifiers.

• Closing date: 08 January 2027 at midnight