This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the EPAO has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
V1.1
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the organ builder apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Organ builder apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 36 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a organ builder. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - final project (portative organ) with questioning:
Assessment method 2 - practical assessment with questioning:
Assessment method 3 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA will be taken within the EPA period. The EPA period begins when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements are met and is typically 4 months. The EPA will take place over a period of 4 consecutive days at the training provider premises.
The expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements are met and the EPA begins as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
These are:
Apprentices should ensure that they have considered the set brief and that the materials for the final project (keys and pipes) are prepared.
Portfolio of evidence requirements:
The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by this assessment method. It will typically contain 15 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested.
Evidence sources may include:
This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.
The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance (for example, witness statements) rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.
The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the discussion . The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion . They are not required to provide feedback after this review.
The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.
A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must start after the apprentice has gone through the gateway.
The final project (portative organ) with questioning must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The project must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship. The EPAO must confirm that it provides the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade. The EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that projects are pitched appropriately.
This assessment method includes 2 components:
The project and any components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade for this assessment method.
This EPA method is being used because organ building is a practical role, the final project with questioning is the most valid method of assessing KSBs. This final project with questioning also encapsulates the sub-disciplines which make up the profession of an organ builder and will therefore assess the KSBs defined below in a holistic way.
The final project (portative organ) with questioning must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
Apprentices must complete a project based on the following:
build a portative organ (product)
Given the number of apprentices, the EPAO does not need to sign-off each project title before the project starts. The EPAO must instead provide detailed specifications. The specifications must detail what must be included in the project to allow an apprentice to evidence the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade. The EPAO must include suggested project titles to enable the employer to select a project that will meet the EPA’s requirements for their apprentice.
The project output must be in the form of a product. The end product being a complete portative organ.
The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. They must complete and submit the product to the EPAO after a maximum of 4 weeks. The project will be completed at the training provider premises and the EPAO will be informed when the project has been completed. The EPAO will visit the training provider premises to view the completed project. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources within this period, to plan and complete their project. The apprentice must complete their project and the production of all its components unaided.
The apprentice may work as part of a team which could include technical internal or external support. However, the project output must be the apprentice’s own work and will be reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm that the project output(s) is the apprentice’s own work when it is submitted.
The product must include at least:
Construction of an organ case, soundboard, actions and bellows
Construction and racking in of pre-constructed pipework
Tuning and regulation of pipework
Finishing application i.e., polishing of case
Wooden and metal pipe making
Hand tool skills.
In a practical assessment, the independent assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks set by the EPAO. The EPAO decides where it takes place. The test environment must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. This allows the apprentice to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment.
The practical assessment and responses to questions must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade.
This EPA method is being used because it provides the opportunity to demonstrate four specific skills required by the standard which may not be represented in the other assessment methods.
The practical assessment with questioning must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The independent assessor conducts and assesses the practical assessment with questioning.
The independent assessor must only observe one apprentice to ensure quality and rigour they must be as unobtrusive as possible.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 3 weeks notice of the . practical assessment with questioning
The practical assessment with questioning must take 1 hour.
The independent assessor can increase the time of the practical assessment with questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.
The practical assessment with questioning cannot be split, other than for comfort breaks or to allow apprentices to move from one location to another. Where breaks occur, they will not count towards the total EPA time.
EPAOs must manage invigilation of the apprentice at during the assessment maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations during the working day.
The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the practical assessment with questioning before it begins. This does not count towards the assessment time.
The independent assessor should observe the following during the practical assessment.
1. laying tuning bearings, the candidate will be asked to lay an equally tempered tuning scale from an octave of slide tuned principal pipes without the assistance of a tuning meter.
2. operating wood-working machinery, the candidate will be asked to set up a spindle moulder and cut a timber profile, following all necessary safety precautions.
3. working with low-voltage transmission circuits, the candidate will be asked to identify and rectify faults in a low-voltage transmission circuit.
4. voicing of reed pipes, the candidate will be required to curve a reed tongue, assemble a reed pipe and match its tuning and regulation to a small group of similar pipes.
These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
Questions must be asked. The purpose of the independent assessor's questions is to test the breadth and depth of knowledge for each task.
Questioning can occur during the practical assessment. The time for questions asked during the practical assessment is included in the overall assessment time.
Independent assessors must ask at least 4 questions during the practical assessment. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessors should ask questions during natural breaks in work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. Follow-up questions are allowed. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training.
The independent assessor can ask questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the practical assessment with questioning and should be kept to a minimum.
The independent assessor must record the KSBs observed, KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions and the grade achieved. The apprentice’s answers to questions must also be recorded.
The independent assessor makes all grading decisions.
The practical assessment with questioning will take place in a simulated environment selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises). The simulated environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment. Equipment and resources needed for the practical assessment with questioning must be provided by the EPAO, who can liaise with the employer to provide these.
The EPAO must write an assessment specification and question bank. The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. EPAOs should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The assessment specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The EPAO must develop purpose-built question banks and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place. For example, considering standardisation, training and moderation. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the practical assessment with questioning:
In the discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this EPA method.
This EPA method is being used because it provides the opportunity to demonstrate a broad range of acquired knowledge, skills and behaviours from the standard. It also provides the opportunity to discuss the evidence contained within the apprentice's portfolio.
The professional discussion must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The independent assessor conducts and assesses the professional discussion.
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions will be to discuss the evidence contained within the apprentice's portfolio and the related knowledge, skills and behaviours learnt. In addition, it will investigate the areas of the design and history of the pipe organ which are not able to be assessed within the other practical assessment methods.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 3 weeks notice of the professional discussion.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 week(s) to review the supporting documentation.
The apprentice must have access to their during the professional discussion.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their , however the is not directly assessed.
The professional discussion must last for 60 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.
For the professional discussion, the independent assessor must ask at least 10 questions. Follow-up questions are allowed. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training. The professional discussion must allow the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method at the highest possible grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. The records must include the KSBs met, the grade achieved and answers to questions.
The independent assessor will make all grading decisions.
The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises).
The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The EPAO must write an assessment specification and question bank. The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs shown in the mapping. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The assessment specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The EPAO must develop purpose-built question banks and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place, for example, considering standardisation, training and moderation. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The EPAO must ensure that apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The EPA methods contribute equally to the overall EPA grade.
Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of:
Independent assessors must individually grade the: final project (portative organ) with questioning, practical assessment with questioning and professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence according to the requirements set out in this EPA plan.
EPAOs must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
Apprentices who fail one or more assessment method will be awarded an overall EPA fail.
Apprentices must achieve at least a pass in all the EPA methods to get an overall pass. In order to achieve an overall EPA ‘distinction’, apprentices must achieve a distinction in the final project (Portative Organ) assessment method as well as a minimum of a pass in the practical assessment with questioning and professional discussion assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods should be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA as a whole.
Apprentices who fail one or more EPA method(s) can take a re-sit or a re-take at the employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.
Apprentices should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 1 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification.
Failed EPA methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.
Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to apprentices wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.
An apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to how EPAOs ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. EPAOs must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section and:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship standard is designed to prepare successful apprentices to meet the requirements for registration as a:
Institute of British Organ Building (IBO) for Corporate (unaccredited or accredited) and Personal (employees of corporates)
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan, standard and funding band revised. | 07/06/2022 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 26/09/2017 | 06/06/2022 |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence