Skip to main content
Queen Mary Academy

Gateway and End Point Assessment

What is the End-Point Assessment (EPA)?

End-Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is a holistic and impartial assessment of whether an apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard. The apprenticeship assessment plan sets out the assessment methods used for the EPA.

What is the Gateway?

The apprenticeship assessment plan sets out the requirements to be met before an apprentice can proceed to the EPA. This is called the Gateway. An apprentice can only progress to the EPA once they have met the requirements of the Gateway, and once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard.

It's important to note that the apprentice can only start their EPA once the Gateway has been achieved.

End-Point Assessment plan

The requirements for EPA are different for each occupational standard and these are set out in the apprenticeship’s assessment plan. The plan sets out the requirements and assessment methods which will be used to assess the learner. This may include, for example, multiple choice tests, evidence portfolios, observations on the learner’s practical skills, professional discussions, projects carried out in the workplace, portfolio-based interviews and project presentations.

Preparing apprentices for EPA

It's important to make sure that apprentices are prepared for the different forms of assessment which they will encounter in the EPA and this should be reflected in your programme assessment strategy. For example, if the EPA includes a presentation, you can incorporate formative and summative presentations, both in person and using Teams  or Zoom, so that apprentices develop their presentation skills and familiarise themselves with the technology that may be used.

Apprentices should know what the EPA involves, have had the opportunity to practice the different elements and feel prepared for EPA.

Integrated and non-integrated programmes

At Queen Mary we offer two types of degree apprenticeship programme:

  1. Integrated degree apprenticeships where Queen Mary is both the apprenticeship training provider and the end-point assessment organisation (EPAO)
  2. Non-integrated degree apprenticeships where Queen Mary is the apprenticeship training provider but contracts with another EPAO

Independent Assessors and their role

Assessments that contribute to the EPA must be conducted by someone who has not been involved in the delivery of the apprenticeship. This person is known as an 'Independent Assessor'.

Queen Mary, as the end point assessment organisation, appoints Independent Assessors to undertake EPA for integrated apprenticeship programmes. Independent assessors can be current Queen Mary staff, or employed by another organisation, but must not have been involved in any aspects of the delivery of the apprenticeship. Independent Assessors should have the relevant skills and industry knowledge required to carry out the assessment.

The role of the Independent Assessors varies significantly between standards and is set out in detail in the End Point Assessment Plan.

Back to top