Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy

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Who it is for: learners who already have relevant qualifications or experience.
Prior learning can count towards your course if it is mapped to the unit outcomes and the evidence is valid, current and authentic.
A tutor reviews your RPL claim against the unit criteria.
RPL decisions are sampled by the IQA and can be appealed under the Appeals Policy.

The full policy below is the official version.

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how TTT recognises and awards credit for learning a learner has already acquired, whether through previous qualifications, employment, voluntary work or other relevant experience. It ensures that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is applied rigorously, fairly and consistently, in line with Ofqual's Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and the RPL requirements of each Awarding Organisation with which TTT is registered.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All learners enquiring about or applying for credit through RPL towards any TTT qualification
All Course Assessors making RPL decisions
IQAs sampling RPL decisions
The Centre Manager who authorises RPL applications

3. Definitions

The following terms carry the meanings given throughout this policy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)MeaningA method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they meet the Assessment Criteria of a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess.

Prior Certificated LearningMeaningLearning evidenced by a certificate from a recognised qualification or training programme.

Prior Experiential LearningMeaningLearning gained from life or work experience that has not previously been certificated.

CreditMeaningA numeric representation of learning volume awarded against a unit or qualification when RPL is successfully demonstrated.

CurrencyMeaningThe degree to which prior learning remains relevant to the current Assessment Criteria, typically within the last five years.

RPL Claim FormMeaningThe form by which a learner formally records their intention to claim credit through RPL, the evidence they rely upon and the units claimed.

RPL AssessorMeaningA Course Assessor qualified and occupationally competent to make RPL decisions for the relevant unit or qualification.

4. Policy Statement

TTT is committed to the following principles and commitments.

1RPL is a valid method of enabling individuals to claim credit for units, irrespective of how their learning took place. There is no difference between the achievement of Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria through prior learning and through a formal programme of study.
2RPL is learner-centred and voluntary. No learner is required to pursue RPL and no disadvantage attaches to choosing not to.
3RPL is subject to the same principles of assessment as any other evidence. Evidence must be Valid, Authentic, Current, Sufficient and Reliable (VACSR).
4RPL decisions are made only by a qualified and occupationally competent Course Assessor and are sampled by the IQA in line with the IQA Sampling Strategy.
5Credit awarded through RPL is not distinguished from credit awarded through any other assessment method on the learner's certificate.
6Evidence of prior learning must normally be within the last five years. Older evidence may be accepted where the Course Assessor is satisfied, through supplementary evidence such as professional discussion or observation, that the learner's knowledge, understanding and skills remain current.
7TTT applies Awarding Organisation RPL rules in addition to this policy and does not award RPL credit where the Awarding Organisation's qualification specification prohibits it.
8Learners have the right to appeal an RPL decision under the Appeals Policy.
9The Equality Act 2010 applies to the operation of this policy. Reasonable adjustments are available to learners making RPL claims.

5. What RPL Can and Cannot Do

RPL CanRPL Cannot

Award credit for a full unit where all Assessment Criteria are met by prior learningRPL CannotAward credit for a unit where the Awarding Organisation specification prohibits RPL

Award credit for part of a unit, with remaining ACs addressed by new evidenceRPL CannotBe used to bypass a licence-to-practise requirement that must be demonstrated afresh

Accept certificated learning, experiential learning or a combination of bothRPL CannotAward credit on the basis of documentary evidence alone where the AC requires live or observed demonstration

Be combined with new assessment to complete a qualificationRPL CannotBe used retrospectively once a qualification has been certificated

6. Roles and Responsibilities

RoleResponsibility

Centre Manager (Phenil Mehta)ResponsibilityOverall accountability for RPL; authorises RPL applications; liaises with the Awarding Organisation where required; reviews this policy annually.

Course CoordinatorResponsibilityActs as the first point of contact for RPL enquiries; issues the RPL Claim Form; records applications; monitors progress and deadlines.

RPL Assessor (Course Assessor)ResponsibilityAdvises the learner on appropriate evidence; agrees the RPL action plan; reviews evidence against the Assessment Criteria; makes the RPL decision; records reasoning.

IQAResponsibilitySamples RPL decisions at a minimum rate equivalent to other assessment decisions; flags concerns about rigour or consistency; attends standardisation events covering RPL.

LearnersResponsibilityComplete the RPL Claim Form; gather evidence; consult with the RPL Assessor; attend any supplementary assessment; do not misrepresent evidence.

7. Learner Entitlement and Responsibilities

7.1 Entitlement

Any learner may apply for RPL, provided they meet the requirements of the Awarding Organisation for the qualification concerned
Learners receive timely, accurate and accessible guidance on the RPL process at the point of enquiry
Learners have the right to appeal against an RPL decision under the Appeals Policy
Reasonable adjustments are available during the RPL process in line with the Accessibility, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy

7.2 Responsibilities

Complete the RPL Claim Form accurately and fully
Provide evidence that addresses the Assessment Criteria of the unit or units claimed
Consult with the RPL Assessor in preparing the claim and agreeing an action plan
Attend any supplementary assessment, including professional discussion or observation, where the RPL Assessor judges it necessary to confirm the claim
Declare that submitted evidence is authentic and is the learner's own work or, where not, that it is properly attributed

8. RPL Process

StageActivity

1. Enquiry and guidanceActivityThe learner raises an RPL enquiry at enrolment or during study. The Course Coordinator explains the process, eligibility and what RPL can and cannot do and issues the RPL Claim Form.

2. Claim and evidenceActivityThe learner submits the completed Claim Form with supporting evidence such as certificates, transcripts, work products, employer testimony or CPD records.

3. Action planActivityThe RPL Assessor reviews the claim, identifies which Assessment Criteria are addressed, which are not and what further evidence or assessment may be needed. An action plan is agreed and signed with the learner.

4. Evidence evaluationActivityThe RPL Assessor evaluates each piece of evidence against the Assessment Criteria, applying VACSR. Supplementary professional discussion or observation is used where currency is uncertain or evidence is indirect.

5. DecisionActivityThe RPL Assessor records the decision on the Awarding Organisation's RPL Record or TTT equivalent, specifying which ACs are met by prior learning and which require further assessment. The decision is communicated to the learner in writing.

6. IQA samplingActivityThe IQA samples RPL decisions as part of the overall Sampling Strategy and at a minimum rate equivalent to other assessment methods.

7. CertificationActivityWhere all ACs are met, by RPL and any additional assessment combined, the Centre Manager submits the certification claim to the Awarding Organisation.

8. Appeal (if required)ActivityA learner who disagrees with an RPL decision may appeal under the Appeals Policy.

9. Evidence Types and Standards

Evidence TypeStandards

Certificates and transcriptsStandardsOriginals or verified copies. Certificates older than five years require supplementary evidence of current competence.

Work productsStandardsLearner-produced materials such as lesson plans, assessor feedback forms or IQA samples, accompanied by a witness statement confirming authenticity.

Employer or witness testimonyStandardsSigned and dated statement from a qualified witness, using the Awarding Organisation's preferred format where required.

Professional discussionStandardsRecorded and transcribed discussion between learner and RPL Assessor, used to explore depth and currency of knowledge.

Observation of practiceStandardsLive or recorded observation, used where competence must be demonstrated directly.

Reflective accounts and case studiesStandardsLearner-produced narrative accounts analysing practice against the Assessment Criteria.

CPD recordsStandardsTraining certificates, attendance logs, reading logs. Used as supporting rather than sole evidence.

10. Quality Assurance of RPL

RPL decisions are subject to the same IQA and EQA processes as any other assessment decision. The IQA:

Samples a representative proportion of RPL decisions across units, Assessors and learners
Reviews the action plan, evidence, decision and reasoning
Flags inconsistent or insufficiently rigorous decisions to the Centre Manager
Includes RPL-specific items on the standardisation agenda

11. Records and Retention

TTT retains the following for a minimum of three years after certification or longer where the Awarding Organisation requires it:

The RPL Claim Form and supporting evidence
The agreed action plan
The RPL Assessor's decision record and reasoning
IQA sampling reports covering RPL decisions
Awarding Organisation correspondence, where relevant

Records are held securely in line with the Data Protection and GDPR Policy and the Data Retention and Disposal Policy.

12. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Centre Manager. Effectiveness is evaluated through learner feedback on the RPL process, RPL Assessor feedback, IQA outcomes and EQA comments. All outcomes are recorded in the Version History at Section 14.

13. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

Accessibility, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy Appeals Policy Assessment Policy Certification Policy Data Retention and Disposal Policy External Quality Assurance (EQA) Policy Initial Assessment and Induction Policy Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Policy

14. Version History

VersionDateAuthorSummary of Changes

1.0Date02/10/2026AuthorPhenil MehtaSummary of ChangesSupersedes prior Recognition of Prior Learning Policy dated 07/04/2026. Structured into TTT's standard section layout with explicit stages, evidence types and quality assurance arrangements. RPL Claim Form moves to a separate administrative form.

15. Approval

This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Centre Manager of TTT.

Name

Phenil Mehta

Signature

P Mehta

Date

01/10/2026

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