Sampling plan header
- Academic year and sampling period
- IQA lead and quality manager
- Standards in scope
- Target sample size and selection method
IQA sampling plan template
A structured internal quality assurance sampling plan for apprenticeship delivery teams. Covers sample selection criteria, assessor caseload coverage, moderation records, action tracking, and the evidence trail Ofsted inspectors expect to see during a deep-dive on quality assurance processes.
Sample selection
Moderation records
Assessor caseload
Ofsted evidence
Published: 4 March 2026. Format: CSV workbook starter.
What the template covers
Sample selection criteria
- New assessors (100% sampling in first 3 months)
- At-risk learners (OTJ pace, KSB gaps)
- Near-gateway learners
- Random selection for established assessors
Moderation record fields
- Learner ID, assessor, standard, date sampled
- Evidence type and KSBs reviewed
- IQA rating (1–4) and feedback notes
- Assessor agreement / disagreement
Action tracking
- Action required (if any)
- Action owner and due date
- Resolution date and outcome
- Escalation flag for recurring issues
Minimum sampling requirements
- New assessors — sample at least 50% of caseload in the first term, moving to risk-based selection once consistent quality is established.
- Experienced assessors — minimum 10% of caseload per term, with at least one sample from each standard they deliver.
- Pre-gateway learners — sample every learner's portfolio within 8 weeks of planned gateway date.
- Returned portfolios — 100% IQA of any evidence rejected or queried by an EPAO.
What Ofsted looks for in IQA records
- A planned, risk-stratified approach — not ad hoc sampling.
- Feedback that is specific and developmental, not generic.
- Evidence that assessors have acted on IQA feedback.
- Consistency across assessors delivering the same standards.
- A trail from IQA findings to CPD planning for the assessor team.
Want IQA sampling automated?
Prentice triggers IQA sampling workflows automatically based on risk criteria — surfacing the right learner files for review at the right time without manual caseload trawling.