AQA's code of conduct

You can expect us to behave professionally and appropriately when we, or anyone representing us, visit your school or college. 

Our Code of Conduct sets out the acceptable standards of behaviour for anyone visiting schools and colleges. These standards are in line with the JCQ’s (Joint Council for Qualifications) Principles for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Openness and transparency

  • Communicate with a child or adult at risk in an open, professional manner (including during telephone conversations).
  • Record video meetings if these are conducted 1-1 with a child or adult at risk, clearly informing them of your intention to do so.
  • Maintain an appropriate distance physically and professionally.
  • Treat each child or adult at risk equally and with dignity and respect. Their welfare must be put first.
  • Dress appropriately and professionally.
  • Be aware at all times of the effects and consequences that your words and actions might have.
  • Contact the institution concerned within their normal working day.
  • Ensure that this Code of Conduct and associated safeguarding documents are brought to the attention of all engaged and contracted to work with, for or on behalf of AQA and used whenever required to reinforce AQA’s expectations of staff.

Avoid

  • Arrange situations in which you are left alone with a child or adult at risk.
  • Act in any way that might make a child or adult at risk feel uncomfortable.
  • Go beyond the remit of the assessment task; being drawn into personal conversations.
  • Engage in any form of contact that is not on official premises or outside of business hours.
  • Do not engage in any physical contact with a child or adult at risk even you consider this to be “horseplay” or in order to comfort a child or adult at risk who may be upset.
  • Use or tolerate the use of inappropriate language by any party in the presence of or by a child or adult at risk.
  • Exchange personal contact information including through social media. Accepting “friend requests” from children or adults at risk is prohibited.
  • Allow any allegation concerning the welfare of a child or adult at risk to go unreported.
  • Promise that information shared by a child or adult at risk will be kept confidential.

If you have any feedback or are ever concerned that this code is not being complied with, please contact Becki Hinchliffe, AQA's Safeguarding Lead, rhinchliffe@aqa.org.uk or on 07467 442328.