In preparation for the 2026 Christmas holiday period, we would like to clarify our opening times and the effects of holidays on apprentices’ deadlines and submission dates.
Our opening times
1st for Awarding will only be closed on recognised English bank holidays, which are:
- Friday 25th December 2026
- Monday 28th December 2026
- Friday 1st January 2027
Our office will otherwise be open as normal, including Tuesday 29th December to Thursday 31st December 2026, and we will continue to undertake assessments during this period, where requested.
Effect on SLA timescales
Our normal SLAs for Gateway reviews, assessment bookings, Reasonable Adjustment requests and communications will continue to apply throughout the Christmas period. Bank holidays will be taken into account when calculating and managing these SLAs.
Effect on EPA submission deadlines
Where an apprentice’s EPA project timescale includes a recognised bank holiday, the EPA period will be extended by the number of bank holidays that fall within it. This is standard practice across all apprenticeship standards.
For example:
An apprentice has their Gateway approved on 21st December 2026 and has a four-week project submission period. Their submission deadline will be 21st January 2027, which already takes into account the three bank holidays that fall within their submission period.
The deadline provided by 1st for Awarding is the final submission deadline. Apprentices should not add any additional days for bank holidays, as these have already been taken into account.
Annual leave and employer office closures
Any apprentice annual leave or employer office closure that takes place in addition to the bank holidays, will not be taken into account when calculating EPA periods or submission deadlines.
We therefore advise training providers and apprentices to plan Gateway dates carefully, ensuring the relevant EPA and submission deadlines can be met.
Safeguarding
Our safeguarding procedures will remain in place throughout the Christmas period. Any safeguarding concerns identified during assessment, will continue to be managed in-line with our usual processes.
If an assessment is scheduled to take place while the training provider is closed, or has limited staff available, the provider must ensure suitable arrangements are in place. This may include providing alternative contact(s), should any concerns arise throughout assessment.
Apprentice project submissions
Where a project submission deadline falls on a date, or within a period where the training provider is closed, please ensure the apprentice is aware of the appropriate submission arrangements.
Where the provider normally uploads the submission on the apprentice’s behalf, the apprentice is able to email their project documentation directly to 1st for Awarding at support@1stforawarding.co.uk. This will ensure the submission is received in a timely manner, and before the required deadline.
Providers should ensure all apprentices impacted by their closure, are given these details and are comfortable with their submission arrangements.
Queries
This article is intended to be used as a guide. Please refer to the relevant Resource Pack or Toolkit for official guidance and timescales.
Further guidance and information will be shared directly with our training providers to support planning over the Christmas period. For any queries, training providers can reach out to their Partnerships contact.
Apprentices should discuss queries with their training provider in the first instance, who will contact us if further support is required.
1st for Awarding
