UK's Ofqual Penalizes Royal Schools of Music Board Over Assessment Record-keeping Failures

05:31 AM EDT, 10/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation imposed a 150,000 pound-sterling fine on the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music after identifying certain data retention failures. The regulator's enforcement panel identified "serious shortcomings" in ABRSM's procedures for retaining, managing and maintaining access to assessment evidence and associated records, according to a Wednesday release. The investigation also found that ABRSM failed to retain assessment evidence in three separate incidents between 2024 and 2025, and issued 72,000 certificates with incorrect qualification titles. Under the settlement, ABRSM will also make a contribution of 10,000 pounds to Ofqual's investigation and enforcement costs, and commission an independent audit of its assessment record-retention procedures.