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Wondering if a role in assessment reform is right for you?
Some of our most frequently asked questions
For those thinking of joining us, we are here to support you in every way we can. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about our assessment reform roles and about working for AQA.
Questions about working in assessment reform
- What types of roles are available for working in assessment reform?
There are may ways to get involved in assessment reform. Find out more about our employed opportunities and senior associate roles that can supplement teaching.
- What skills do I need to work in assessment reform?
Our senior associate roles, and many of our employed roles, are well suited to people with teaching experience/classroom experience, whether they are early in their career or experienced. Your subject knowledge at GCSE/A-level, demonstrable communication skills and understanding of the wants and needs of teachers and learners is invaluable. Check out our job postings to find out more about specific roles.
- How can I use my teaching experience in a role outside the classroom?
Your classroom experience gives you insight that others don’t have. You understand learners and know what does and doesn’t work. Working in assessment reform means you can:
- review and improve exam questions
- shape subject content
- make assessment more inclusive.
- Is a role in assessment reform good for progressing my teaching career?
A role in assessment reform can open new doors. You can build skills in:
- curriculum design
- assessment writing and review
- research and evaluation.
These all strengthen your practice, and they’re valued in leadership roles.
Even if you stay in/return to teaching, you gain with a wider perspective which can make a real difference to your learners.
- Can I hold other associate roles alongside a senior associate role at AQA?
We will take any roles you hold with other awarding organisations into account during the selection process. This helps us understand your capacity and availability, while also protecting our commercial interests as we develop and deliver new assessments.
We do not plan to set limits on the number of associate roles someone can hold, recognising that individual circumstances and capacity vary. However, we may discuss how you would manage overlapping commitments, particularly during peak delivery periods when workloads can be more demanding.
We will need to be confident that you have the capacity to take on a new role, which may mean reducing other commitments. This is to support your wellbeing and help ensure we can continue to deliver live exam series safely while progressing our assessment reform work.- Where can I find out more about assessment reform?
To find out the latest information about assessment reform, visit our assessment reform hub.
- Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you have more questions about full time roles, please contact opportunities@aqa.org.uk
For questions about senior examiner vacancies, please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk
Questions about employed roles at AQA
- Where are AQA roles based?
AQA have offices in Manchester, Guildford, Milton Keynes and London. Most roles are hybrid with two days in the office, although some require more time in the office and some are remote. Each role is different. Check out our job adverts to find out where specific roles are based.
- What benefits can I expect working at AQA?
You can expect a package that supports your work and your life. You will be working for the UK’s leading exam board with the opportunity to play your part in bettering education nationally. In permanent and FTC roles, you can expect:
- a 35-hour working week
- 25 days holiday, rising to 30 over time
- a pension scheme with contributions of up to 11.5% from AQA
- flexible working options
- wellbeing support
- paid days off for volunteering and additional closure days at Christmas
- learning and development opportunities
- a collaborative team with a shared purpose.
- How do salaries work at AQA?
Salaries are set by role and level. They’re benchmarked against external roles to be fair and transparent, with clear progression where possible. You’ll know what to expect before you apply, and you’ll have regular reviews once you’re in post.
If you’re moving from teaching, it’s worth comparing the full package and not just the base salary.
- What training is provided for new starters?
Don’t worry – you won’t be left to figure it out on your own. We have a structured onboarding programme to help you settle in. You’ll learn about assessment, the role and how your work fits in.
For those moving from teaching into new roles, there is training available to upskill you in the new practices. You’ll build your skills over time, with support from your team and opportunities to keep learning. You bring the teaching experience and we’ll help you apply it in a new setting.
- Does AQA offer hybrid working?
Yes we do. Most of our roles offer a mix of home and office working, but it does depend on the role. Generally, we would ask you to work two days a week in the office. This means you can focus at home when you need to and be together when it matters. Each team agrees what works best for them. It is about balance and making work work for you.
- Will I be able to stay at AQA once assessment reform has happened?
While assessment reform will shape our organisation for years to come, AQA is committed to continuously evolving to better serve learners and teachers. We’re looking for individuals who want to be part of that journey, helping to drive improvement, innovation and positive change across the organisation. We value the skills, experience and perspectives our colleagues bring, and we will continue to offer opportunities for people to grow and contribute to AQA’s future. Approximately 50% of all our hires are made internally, supporting retention, engagement and workforce agility.
Questions about our senior associate roles
- How can I have a positive impact on learners beyond my own classroom?
A role in assessment reform is one way to do this. When you work in assessment, you reach thousands of learners.
You can help:
- make exams fairer
- reduce bias in assessment
- improve how subjects are taught and tested.
If you’ve ever wanted to change the system, this is a practical way to start.
- As a senior examiner, will I still be working within my subject area?
Yes. Your subject knowledge matters.
You’ll use what you know about your subject to shape how it’s assessed. Depending on the role, that might mean writing assessment materials, reviewing content or helping make sure questions are fair and clear.
You’re not stepping away from learning – you’re helping define the direction how it’s measured.
- Where are senior examiner roles based and how do they fit alongside my teaching role?
These roles are flexible and mostly remote, designed to fit around your teaching and other professional commitments. Some roles involve occasional travel – see the role descriptions on our senior examiner page for more details.
Contact our team
Email for senior examiners:
Email for full-time vacancies:
Opening hours: 8am–5pm Monday to Friday
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