Notice

Undertaking given by Cambridge OCR to Ofqual in accordance with Condition B8 of the General Conditions of Recognition (“Conditions”)

Published 16 April 2026

Applies to England

1. Background

In the context of:

(a)      a number of notifications submitted by Cambridge OCR over the period 7 April 2025 (EN 2025-076) and 3 October 2025 (EN 2025-299) in respect of events relating to the provision of Cambridge OCR’s GCE physics assessments,

(b)      Ofqual’s allegations contained in its letter of 17 December 2025 that Cambridge OCR breached the following Conditions: A5.1(a) & (b), A5.2(a) & (e), A6.2(a), G1.1(a), G1.3, G7.1, G9.1, G9.3(a), H5.1 and H6.1(d),

(c)       Cambridge OCR admits to having breached the above-stated Conditions

2. Undertaking

1. 2.1      Pursuant to General Condition B8, Ofqual may accept a written undertaking from an awarding organisation that it will take specified steps to secure compliance with the Conditions.

2. 2.2      For the purpose of securing such compliance, Cambridge OCR undertakes to implement the actions set out in Schedule 1 within the timeframes set out therein.

3. 2.3      Following the 2026 Summer examination series, Cambridge OCR shall review the implementation of the action plan and report to Ofqual as follows:

   1. (a) By 01/08/2026, a report setting out the impact of the action plan on assessment validity to that date;
   2. (b) By 30/09/2026, a statement of assurance from the Responsible Officer confirming that actions under 4.f (“strengthening collaboration”) and 4.g (“additional governance controls”) have been completed;
   3. (c) By 01/10/2026, a report setting out the impact of the action plan on User confidence to that date;
   4. (d) By 01/09/2027, a comprehensive report evaluating the effectiveness of the actions set out in the action plan.

4. 2.4      With a view to assuring Ofqual that it has complied with this undertaking, Cambridge OCR shall by 01/09/2027, submit to Ofqual a Statement of Assurance signed by the Responsible Officer, confirming that it has complied with the requirements of this undertaking.

3. Acknowledgement

In giving this undertaking, I acknowledge on behalf of Cambridge OCR that:

(a) The rules of interpretation and definitions outlined in General Condition J1 shall apply to this undertaking;

(b) Ofqual may publish this Undertaking on its website (it being accepted however that Ofqual will not publish Schedule 1);

(c) Ofqual may provide information to the Department for Education about Cambridge OCR’s undertaking, including Cambridge OCR’s performance under the undertaking and the sharing of any updates provided by Cambridge OCR;

(d) Ofqual may take regulatory action in respect of any failure to comply with the terms of this undertaking which may include the issue of a direction, the imposition of a monetary penalty, withdrawal of Recognition, costs recovery, and/or any other such action as it deems appropriate, acting in accordance with Ofqual’s ‘Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action ’ policy;

(e) Nothing within this undertaking restricts Ofqual’s ability to conduct its own review, audit, investigation and/or other monitoring activity of Cambridge OCR at any time;

(f) This Undertaking will remain in force until Ofqual confirms that it is satisfied that the actions set out in Schedule 1 have been performed and that it may be discharged.

4. Variation

Cambridge OCR and Ofqual may from time to time vary this Undertaking by mutual agreement.

5. General

Nothing in this Undertaking shall require Cambridge OCR to publish or otherwise disclose any confidential information, other than to Ofqual.

6. Effective date of this Undertaking

This Undertaking takes effect on 8 April 2026.

Signed for and on behalf of Cambridge OCR

Position: Responsible Officer, Cambridge OCR

Date: 8 April 2026