The introduction of the new Scientist Training Programme (STP) curricula across all specialties has provided the National School and the healthcare science community with an opportunity to review and to improve how the training programme is delivered and assessed for trainees who started in 2022 and who will sit their final assessment in 2025 and those who follow them.
The changes being introduced are designed:
- to continue to provide the healthcare science community with confidence in the quality of the programme and of the trainees who complete it
- to enable us to respond to assessor feedback and move beyond some of the temporary changes to the assessment of the programme that were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The changes are being introduced in the three areas outlined below.
Work-based assessment standards
The School has created a set of work-based assessment standards which define how work-based assessments should be conducted and the responsibilities of trainees, trainers and assessors.
View the work-based assessment standards.
View our explainer webinars about the standards for each type of work-based assessment.
Reviews of progression
We have introduced a model of progression monitoring which sets trainees minimum and realistic targets for progress on their OneFile e-portfolio for key points in the programme.
The new review of progression process also requires Training Officers and trainees to hold a review of progression meeting at the end of years 1 and 2, which will be recorded on OneFile.
Read our guidance for trainees and training officers on the STP review of progression.
The STP Final Year Assessment for 2025
The School has worked in close collaboration with representatives of all specialties on its final assessment steering group to develop the new assessment model for trainees on the new curricula who will take their final assessment in 2025.
The aim of the new STP Final Year Assessment is to ensure that trainees are able to practise safely, uphold professional standards and are ready to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist.
In the assessment, trainees will be presented with a number of scenarios which will sample the curriculum and focus on situations that may be faced by newly-registered Clinical Scientists in day-to-day practice. Trainees should be prepared to respond to scenarios on any area of practice in their curriculum.
Read more about the STP Final Year Assessment, its dates and regulations