What are proxy qualifications? 

Proxy qualifications are those qualifications that have been agreed to assess the same knowledge and skills as aspects of the key skills. Because of this overlap, candidates can claim exemption from parts of the key skills when they are able to provide proof of achievement of the proxy qualification.  

The full list of valid proxy qualifications is available on the QCA website.

Proxy claim process

Proxy claims can be made at any time using Edexcel Online. All claims must be preceded by a proxy entry. For instructions on how to make proxy claims on Edexcel Online, please see Making portfolio or proxy claims. 

Centres are reminded that they are responsible for ensuring that the rules for claiming proxies are adhered to. 

Centres should claim at the end of the key skills programme to ensure that they are following the three-year rule. This is supported by ensuring:

• the candidate has claimed/is also claiming the relevant key skills portfolio
• where the candidate is claiming a test and portfolio as a proxy, centres must ensure that this is within the three-year period
• of the programme (for example, claiming a proxy in March and waiting to submit a portfolio in June), centres must ensure that the three-year period expires after June 

Once a proxy claim has been made for a candidate, no further withdrawals or amendments will be permitted.

Modern Apprenticeship candidates

Candidates for Modern Apprenticeships who wish to claim ‘relaxation’ should read the details of the ‘relaxation ruling’ which can be found in ‘Key Skills Policy and Practice — Your questions answered’. You can download this from the QCA website.

Proxy audit requirements

All evidence used to support proxy claims must be logged so that, on request from the Skills for Life team, centres will be able to provide accurate details in order to complete the audit.  

A sample of proxy claims made over the year will be sent to centres, who will be required to complete the details of the evidence that supports the claims listed. Information that should be logged is detailed below:

Required

• Qualification used to claim proxy (eg GCSE English Literature)
• Grade achieved (eg A)
• Date achieved (eg when the GCSE was certificated: 31/08/04)
• Candidate’s name

Recommended

• Key skills registration number (eg U123456)
• Proxy claimed (eg Communication, Level 2) 

Please note that the failure of centres to provide these required details may result in centres being unable to make claims on demand via Edexcel Online.  

For further information on the proxy audit process, please refer to the ‘Proxy Guidance to Centres’ document below.