Notice

LAMDA Notice of Intention to fine: November 2017

Ofqual issues notice of intention to fine LAMDA following non-compliance with the Conditions before September 2016.

Applies to England

Documents

LAMDA: Notice of Intention to Impose a Monetary Penalty

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Details

Awarding organisation Issue Action taken Case status
London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Failure to comply with Conditions A4, A5, H6, I4, D4, B2 and B3 in respect of incidents occurring before September 2016 Notice of Intention to impose a monetary penalty Closed 26 February 2018

On 16 November 2017 Ofqual formally issued LAMDA with a notice explaining our intention to fine it £30,000.

LAMDA has admitted failing to comply with its Conditions of recognition in relation to incidents which occurred before September 2016. LAMDA has agreed to pay a monetary penalty as a result of those incidents.

LAMDA reported the incidents to Ofqual between August 2015 and November 2016 and has admitted that those incidents reflected breaches of several conditions, including that a number of the notifications were made too late. Those breaches relate to systemic and administrative issues identified in connection with LAMDA’s operations, as opposed to substantive questions as to the quality of its qualifications and their assessment.

LAMDA began a wholesale review of its approach to compliance in September 2016 and has kept Ofqual informed throughout. LAMDA discovered some of the incidents as a result of that review.

In March 2017 Ofqual decided that it should impose a monetary penalty as a result of LAMDA’s previous non-compliance. The penalty would be between £30,000 and £125,000. The final amount of the penalty would be determined after LAMDA had made sure it was in compliance.

Ofqual accepted an undertaking from LAMDA which described how it would become compliant and how it would demonstrate to Ofqual that it was compliant. Ofqual has published the undertaking at the same time as this notice.

Ofqual has now discharged the undertaking because it is satisfied that LAMDA has secured sustainable compliance. LAMDA’s performance against the undertaking is a significant mitigating factor.

Ofqual considers that a monetary penalty at the lowest end of the range is appropriate due to LAMDA’s:

  • strong performance against its undertaking
  • candid and proactive cooperation with Ofqual
  • insight into, and rectification of, instances of previous non-compliance

Interested parties now have the opportunity to make representations.

Published 17 November 2017
Last updated 26 February 2018 + show all updates
  1. Case closed

  2. First published.