Contingency Plan for Scoring FP2012 Applications
Published: 10/10/2011
It has come to the UKFPO’s attention that it is possible that the change in the allocation algorithm for FP2012 will result in significantly more applicants selecting a London foundation school as their first choice.
The current published process for scoring applications states that all applications will be scored by an applicant’s first choice foundation school. Individual London schools will be prepared to manage a 10% increase in their own applications. However, if there is a significant increase in the number of applicants selecting a London school as their first choice, this could result in that school being unable to score all applications fairly within the available time.
In order to ensure that resources at foundation schools are optimised and all applications are considered fairly, the UKFPO has developed a contingency plan in conjunction with foundation schools. If an applicant chooses a foundation school that is heavily over-subscribed as their first choice, then their application may be scored by an alternative school.
This plan has been developed to ensure each application is treated as fairly as possible. It is more important to give applications sufficient attention to ensure they are scored equitably than to have them scored by the first choice school.
Please be reassured that this will not affect the outcome of an application. Strict quality management controls, with schools blind scoring the same quality control applications have demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between schools across the UK. As in previous years, applications are anonymised so the scoring panels do not know whose applications they are scoring.
Once the application period closes on 21 October 2011, and the number of applications to each school is known, the UKFPO will announce whether this plan will be implemented.
If you have a query regarding any of the above this please email enquiries@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk
