Marking Programme Leader (National Curriculum Assessments)
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.
Purpose
The Marking Programme Leaders (MPLs) are the most senior markers in the marking hierarchy. They possess extensive knowledge of key stage 2 tests and have a proven record of leading the marking process through test cycles. The MPL is responsible for undertaking duties and tasks associated with maintaining agreed marking standards for the test cycle. Duties are undertaken under the conditions, timeframes and arrangements set by the Marking Workstream Team (MWT) and the Standards and Testing Agency (STA).
Role Specific Services and Expectations
Leading the subject marking team across all marking methods, including onscreen marking, manual marking and exception scripts.
Ensuring the maintenance of standards across each paper within a subject.
Providing subject-specific expertise and knowledge.
Managing and supporting new and existing Deputy Marking Programme Leaders (DMPLs) and Senior Markers (SMs), addressing queries, and providing feedback upon the release of test materials.
Setting acceptable standards for the marking of pupil scripts and monitoring and maintaining standards throughout material development, marker training, live marking, review marking and complaints/appeals processes. All marking is to be in accordance with the mark scheme, whilst adhering to marking procedures and scheduled deadlines.
Verifying item classification and ensuring the development of accurate and high-quality marker training materials and guidance, including mark scheme training, practice and qualification scripts, addressing the full range of marking principles and indicative content.
Supporting and leading the cascade delivery model for marking training meetings for all levels of the marking hierarchy.
Leading on the development and management of marking quality assurance measures, including seed item approvals and retirement in conjunction with STA, and be responsible for check marking.
Acting as an escalation point for any challenges about marking during the marking period.
Successfully qualifying for live marking of specialist items.
Supporting in the resolution of review marking complaints.
Traveling to and attending a manual marking panel for summer delivery.
Undertaking the performance management of the DMPLs against key performance measures.
Providing final marker grades for direct reports.
Accessing management information (MI) reports to monitor the progress and quality of marking and using this information to take any necessary remedial actions to maintain marking completion and quality assurance.
Core Services and Expectations
Being able to lead marking activities, such as virtual training and onscreen marking, in a private place.
Maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of the role, ensuring that test security and pupil information is not compromised.
Acting at all times in a way that will not bring Pearson, its clients, its employees or its representatives into disrepute. Not disclosing any information about any aspect of work with Pearson, for example, on forums, social networking sites etc.
Acknowledging and responding to all contact from the MWT and any other Pearson team member in a timely manner.
Following the appropriate routes of escalation for queries and concerns to the MWT, as required. Direct escalation to the STA is not to be made.
Conducting administrative tasks that Pearson employees/representatives require as part of this role.
Completing familiarisation activities on the required onscreen marking system.
Completing/passing all the relevant eLearning online training modules.
Competencies Required
You will have a high level of subject knowledge in order to effectively incorporate mark scheme principes in creating marker training materials.
You will promote success and take a proactive lead in the training of markers, at all levels of the hierarchy.
You will have the ability to lead a team under pressure and ensure compliance with all deadlines.
You will have organisational and administrative skills, good forward planning and time management skills, and attention to detail.
You will have effective interpersonal and communication skills to successfully lead the hierarchy of markers.
You will be IT literate.
Experience and Qualifications Required
You will:
Have a degree or equivalent qualification.
Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a valid Teacher Reference Number (TRN).
Have been a primary school teacher.
Have a minimum of two full academic year’s teaching experience within the current English National Curriculum.
Preferably have been a subject leader in a primary school for the subject applied for.
Have held, at least, the position of Deputy Marking Programme Leader (DMPL) in the subject applied for.
Preferably have experience of trialling and sampling test material, such as Item Validation Trialling (IVT) and/or Technical Pre-Testing (TPT).
Have subject-specific expertise and knowledge for the contracted subject to lead on the marking of pupil responses across all item types.
Teachers in private schools are not eligible for consideration unless they have experience as a qualified teacher in the state sector.
Technological Requirements
You will:
Have a home computer or laptop, which is compliant with Pearson’s minimum specifications (as detailed in the letter of appointment), a headset/earphones and a webcam (integrated or attached).
Ensure that your IT equipment is compatible with Pearson’s systems and meets the minimum system requirements before you start the contract and at your own expense.
Have a reliable broadband internet connection and a private personal email address.
Have the ability to use Microsoft Teams and Zoom for meetings.
Have the ability to travel where required to complete a right to work check or conduct a video call to confirm identity using a suitable device.
Have personal IT equipment capable of running all required marking and communication platforms.
Have relevant malware and appropriate virus protection software.
Have a useable version of Microsoft Office.
Additional information
The familiarisation and training required to mark as a marker will take place between April and May.
The live marking period is between May and June.
We offer competitive rates for marking; more details about renumeration for marking is confirmed at the time of contracting.
In addition to financial remuneration, a marking role offers benefits for professional development and provides an insight into assessment processes. The enhanced awareness of how assessment criteria and mark schemes are applied to pupil responses for national curriculum tests provides an increased knowledge that teachers can take back to their own schools and classrooms.
Furthermore, a marking role provides an opportunity to widen networks within the teaching and marking communities and broaden horizons for potential future career progression. The marking hierarchy has a diverse array of roles, with opportunities for markers to be promoted in future test cycles (depending on performance and availability), all of which provide desirable experience to enhance a teacher’s CV.
Application Information
We have a number of opportunities available for teaching professionals to join our growing teams of examiners, moderators and verifiers.
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Closing date: 09 September 2025 at midnight