What is a marking panel and why is it needed?

This is a panel where markers mark pupil scripts all day. This work at a panel is in addition to a marker's standard allocation of scripts and any additional scripts they have been allocated.

A marking panel is required as part of the standard marking process in order to make sure all scripts are fully marked in time for the publication of results on 15 July 2008.

 

When and where will the marking panels be held?

This year the marking panel will run 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm from 21 June to 1 July 2008.

Marking panels are being held at venues in Leeds and Cheadle.

 

How many days can I attend the marking panel?

You can offer your availability for as many days as you wish at the marking panel. Your invitation to attend will depend on the availability of scripts to mark or space on the panel. There can be no guarantee of work at the panel.

It is preferable if you can attend on consecutive days which will aid your quality of marking and ensure that full school allocations can be completed.

 

I would like to attend the marking panel. What do I do?

You should email the panel manager showing your interest at panel@etseurope.org. ETS Europe will check that you have successfully completed standardisation and your first benchmarking attempt. If there are spaces at the panel you will be invited to attend and asked to sign an acceptance form and indicate your availability dates. Your attendance will then be confirmed by the panel manager. This attendance communication must be shown when attending the panel on the first day for security reasons.

 

What are my duties as a marking panel member?

Please read our information document regarding the duties of a marking panel member here.

 

How many hours a day will I be expected to mark at the panel? Will there be breaks during the day?

Markers will work for approximately 7.5 hours a day ensuring that they have completed their target number of scripts as designated by the panel manager. The working day will include time for breaks and lunch.

 

I can only work at the weekends, is that possible?

Yes – the panel is operating seven days a week

 

I have agreed to attend a marking panel but will need to travel there the night before. How do I get a hotel room booked?

Once you have been accepted to attend the panel, you will be asked to identify the evenings that you will require overnight accommodation. We will be able to arrange a hotel room for you prior to the event. All accommodation bookings will be handled by ETS staff at the panel in conjunction with the venue management. Where possible accommodation will be based at the panel venue but occasionally other local hotels will be used.

Please ask for an ETS Europe staff member or the central site when you first arrive at the hotel reception. The ETS Europe project manager will also be on site to assist with any queries.

Please DO NOT contact hotel front desk or staff about your booking as the bookings are being handled by a central division and not the front desk. Once markers report to the central site you will be given your booking information including hotel/room details and any transportation required, if necessary.

 

I will be travelling to the marking panel event but I may not be able to arrive at 9.30am. Is it ok if I can arrive by 12pm?

Yes it is fine if you arrive late but you may not be able to take part in marking for that day. However you may be able to take part from the next day. You will be paid for each FULL day of marking that you complete.

 

Will there be car parking facilities at the venue?

Yes there is adequate car parking facility at the panel venue.

 

Can I attend the panel and complete my standard allocation of scripts?

No, this is not possible. Your own allocation of scripts must be completed outside of panel hours ie: in the evenings or on days off.

You must continue to mark standard allocation scripts within the time limits set out in the marker handbook.

Attendance at panel may be terminated if you fall behind with your own allocation of scripts.

 

Will I still have to input scripts online on a marking panel?

There is no data entry requirement for markers on a marking panel. All inputting of marks online will be carried out by ETS staff on-site.  

 

Will I have to script verify and capture marks online at the panel?

Not for panel scripts. ETS will have a team of administrators to script verify and enter marks online for markers during the day.

 

Will I have to benchmark whilst at the panel?

Marking scripts at the panel is subject to the same quality controls as for the marking of standard allocation of scripts. This will ensure that all markers are completing scripts to the nationally agreed standard. At panel this will be achieved through script sampling of panel-marked scripts.

 

Will there be the facility to script verify /benchmark/online mark capture for my own allocation of scripts in the evenings whilst at the panel?

Yes you will be able to either use your own laptop at the venue which has WiFi access in rooms, or you can book a time to use the computers in the ETS office in the evenings.

 

If I fail my benchmark attempts on my standard allocation of scripts, can I still mark at the panel?

No you will be stopped at panel should you fail your benchmark attempts.

After failing and re-attempting benchmark sets twice you will be stopped at panel even if you are able to continue to complete your standard allocation.

 

Can I have my scripts re-delivered to the panel venue, and collected from there?

Yes this can be arranged for you. Please liaise with the ETS admin staff at the panel or contact the helpdesk. Any other questions - resolve with ETS staff at the panel.

 

I have an enquiry about the marking panel. How do I contact the panel manager?

The email address for all panel enquiries is panel@etseurope.org.

 

I called the hotel and they have no record that I'm arriving, can I call somebody to check?

Please DO NOT contact hotel front desk or staff about your booking as the bookings are being handled by a central division and not the front desk. Once you report to the central site you will be given your booking information including hotel/room details and any transportation necessary, if required. Please email panel@etseurope.org with any enquiries.