Instructions for Examiners
Examinations 2013
Your stationery pack also contains the following items:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pre-addressed plastic sacks (for the return of marked scripts)
Despatch manifests (for the return of marked scripts)
Parcelforce labels (for the return of marked scripts)
Blank plastic sacks (for the despatch of specimen scripts)
Map of conference venue (GCE examiners will receive
maps at a later stage)
6. Claim form for expenses with travel and subsistence information
7. Envelope for return of claim forms
CONFERENCE FEE (PER HALF-DAY SESSION)
£42.60 (weekdays)
£63.90 (weekends/school holidays)
You are not required to submit a report on the work done by candidates unless
specifically asked to do so by the Principal Examiner
Please remember that the responsibility for ensuring the correct addition of
marks and their subsequent transfer to the EMI system is an essential part of
your duties
General Certificate of Education
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Functional Skills
Certificate in Additional Maths
Levels 1 & 2 Certificate in Latin
Levels 1 & 2 Certificate in English Language
Levels 1 & 2 Certificate in English Literature
Please read this booklet carefully before the Examiners’ Conference, and refer to it
throughout the marking period.
If you encounter any difficulties or unexpected situations, please consult Section 12
of this booklet, ‘Frequent Queries’, before contacting WJEC.
Contents
1. Electronic Mark Input……………………………………………………….3
2. Prior to the Examiners’ Conference…………………………………….. 3
3. Allocation Lists/Invoices………………………………………………….. 3
4. Sample of Initial 10 Scripts……………………………………………….. 4
5. Specimen Scripts…………………………………………………………... 5
6. Marking………………………………………………………………………. 5
7. Marking ‘Access Arrangements’ Scripts………………………………. 6
8. Submitting Marks……………………………………………………………6
9. Submitting Marks for Late Entry Candidates…………………………..6
10. Returning Marked Scripts……………………………………………….... 7
11. Payment and Expenses………………………………………………...…. 7
12. Frequent Queries………….……………………………………………….. 8
13. Instructions For Returning Marked Scripts to WJEC…….…………..11
14. Guidance from WJEC Regarding Income Tax for Examiners……....15
Useful details for Examiners
WJEC main switchboard – 02920 265 000
GCE Examiner queries – 02920 265 034
GCSE Examiner queries – 02920 265 151, 02920 265 153
GCE missing scripts – 02920 265 368
GCSE/English Language Level 1 & 2 missing scripts – 02920 265 305
Functional Skills/Additional Maths/Latin missing scripts – 02920 265 048 Special
Requirements (Access arrangements) 02920 265 155
Unmarked scripts and any other correspondence: WJEC, 245 Western Avenue,
Cardiff, CF5 2YX. (Please use ‘UNMARKED SCRIPTS’ label provided.)
For the return of MARKED scripts ONLY: WJEC, Unit A16/A17, Gwaelod Y Garth
Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF37 5XF
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1.
Electronic Mark Input
Examiners will be using electronic mark input. For full detailed instructions on how to
use the system please refer to the booklet “Electronic Mark Input (EMI), Guidelines”
available online by clicking the “Help” button once you have logged on to the website
www.wjecservices.co.uk.
2.
Prior to the Examiners’ Conference
The marking scheme and a copy of the question paper will normally be despatched
from WJEC to you on the day of the examination.
Scripts will normally be received directly from centres, and should be expected from
the day after the examination; however, they may take a week or more to arrive.
Scripts are sent to examiners in plastic script sacks that should specify the centre
number, the subject, the paper code, and the number of scripts contained. Upon
receipt, this sack should be carefully cut open along the dotted line. Along with the
scripts, the sack should contain a blue Attendance Register, on which the centre
should have indicated whether any candidates were absent from the examination,
and to which any Late Entry candidates should have been added. The scripts within
the sack should have been placed in the order printed on the Attendance Register.
Please check that the details on the script envelopes match the scripts inside.
Centres with larger entries may send scripts in two or more sacks, and the
Attendance Register for all candidates may be placed in one of those sacks.
Following marking, all scripts and Attendance Registers must be returned to the
sacks they were taken from.
Before the Examiners’ Conference, at least 10 scripts should be provisionally
marked. These should cover a range of ability and, where appropriate, question
choice, and may be selected from more than one centre. Any further subject specific
instructions (e.g. whether any scripts should be brought to the conference) will be
included with the marking scheme. At the conference, any revisions to the
provisional marking scheme will be decided upon, and copies of the final version will
be issued during the meeting, or as soon as possible afterwards.
Attendance at the Examiners’ Conference is a condition of appointment.
Anyone unable to attend the conference will not be permitted to proceed with the
marking of scripts, and should contact WJEC immediately.
The marking period is approximately three weeks from the date of the Examiners’
Conference. Notification of the actual submission of marks and Return of Scripts
date was printed on the invitation letter.
3.
Allocation Lists/Invoices
Your allocation can be found by logging into the secure website
www.wjecservices.co.uk and clicking the blue “EMI Reports/Invoices” button on the
left. This invoice will update automatically should your allocation change and as you
submit marks to WJEC. This invoice can be printed for your records but should not
be sent to WJEC.
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Check each parcel of scripts as it is received. Please check that the details on the
script envelopes match the scripts inside, any discrepancy between the centres
listed on your automatic invoice and the centres received should be dealt with as
outlined in Section 12 of this booklet ‘Frequent Queries’.
4.
Sample of Initial 10 Scripts
As soon as possible after the Examiners’ Conference, an initial sample of 10 marked
scripts must be sent to the allocated Team Leader or Principal Examiner. The scripts
may be selected from more than one centre, and should cover a range of ability and,
where appropriate, question choice. Late entry scripts must not be used for this
purpose. Any subject-specific instructions will be given at the conference. A record
of the breakdown of marks awarded for these scripts must be retained. The
breakdown of marks can be input onto the EMI system but carbonised mark sheets
for recording the breakdown of marks for the initial 10 scripts will be issued at the
Examiners’ Conference. This sample must then be sent in an ordinary envelope by
first-class post, and a stamped addressed envelope included for their return. You will
be given your Team Leader’s or Principal Examiner’s address for this purpose – if
you are given a pre-addressed label, please keep a note of the address for future
use.
In the meantime examiners may continue to mark scripts, but no marks should be
submitted and no scripts should be despatched to WJEC until authorisation is
received from the Team Leader or Principal Examiner.
These sample scripts will be carefully examined by the Team Leader or Principal
Examiner and the marking compared with their own and that of other examiners. The
scripts will be returned to you with any recommendations, and a second or even third
sample of marked scripts may be requested if necessary. Once the Team Leader or
Principal Examiner is satisfied with the standard of marking, they will give you
permission to submit marks to WJEC.

You should re-assess all scripts including those already marked, in the
light of any recommendations made by the Team Leader or Principal
Examiner. Any changes made to the marks on a script must be
implemented.

All candidates whose scripts have been used as part of the ‘initial 10’
sample(s) must be clearly identified on the EMI system by entering ‘S’ in
the column headed ‘S’ .

You must remember to change the breakdown of marks on the EMI
system in line with the Principal Examiner/Team Leader
commendations.
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5.
Specimen scripts
In order to ensure that the agreed standard of marking is maintained by all
examiners, further checks are made by the Team Leader or Principal Examiner by
checking specimen scripts.
Examiners should send their first batch of scripts to their Team Leader or Principal
examiner to enable selection of specimen scripts. Please follow the instructions
below unless alternative subject specific instructions have been given.
(i) At the Examiners’ Conference you will be given a list containing the centre
number(s) of one or more examination centre(s) selected from your allocation.
These designated centres should be marked during the first half of the marking
period and the marks submitted in the normal way.
(ii) The scripts from these centres should be despatched to the Principal Examiner
or Team Leader, to arrive no later than fourteen days from the date of the
Examiners’ Conference. Please use the plain plastic sacks provided, and send
them by Parcelforce 24 or 48 hour guaranteed delivery service, or 1 st class
post with proof of posting. (Do not use standard parcel post.) The cost of
posting these specimen scripts should be claimed in the usual way. Do not use
the supplied manifests and labels for this purpose.
(iii) The Principal Examiner or Team Leader will check a random selection of these
scripts and then return all the scripts directly to the WJEC offices. If there is doubt
about the consistency of marking, the Principal Examiner or Team Leader may
request additional centres from your allocation, which should be sent directly to
them using one of the methods outlined above.
6.
Marking
In addition to the procedures agreed at the Examiners’ Conference, the following
points should be strictly adhered to:
 Each page of an answer book (and every detached part of an answer) should
show evidence that it has been assessed
 The marking of each question should reveal clearly how the total mark
awarded has been arrived at
 All sub-marks should be entered in the right-hand margin of the script, and a
line drawn across the margin before the total mark for the question is shown
 The mark for each answer and the total mark for the paper should be entered
in the mark grid on the front cover of the question paper
 Where a candidate does not attempt a question “N/A” should be written in the
right-hand margin of the script and on the mark grid on the front cover of the
question paper.
 Where a candidate answers more than the required number of questions, all
answers must be marked but the total mark awarded must contain only these
marks awarded to the best answers making up the required number. In every
such case, “Rubric” must be written on the front cover of the script.
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You must not mark any scripts answering a paper for which you have not attended
the Examiners’ Conference. If you receive any scripts that are for a different subject,
paper or tier from that which you are examining, you must contact WJEC
immediately. Do not submit any marks for these scripts. If the candidate appears on
your allocation mark them as absent.
Please note that candidates for all subjects at GCE and GCSE have access to
their marked examination scripts. It is therefore essential that all annotation and
comments relate to the mark scheme and can be justified to centres and candidates.
7.
Marking ‘Access Arrangements’ Scripts
Occasionally you may receive scripts where the answers are word-processed; it is
also possible that more than one kind of handwriting may appear.
In cases where a scribe has been used or a transcript made of the script, a copy of
the appropriate (pre-populated) “scribe” or “transcript” cover sheet should have been
attached to the front of the script. In cases where the cover sheet has been
manually completed, a copy of the Access Arrangement application Approval should
also be attached.
When marking a script where a “transcript” (usually a photocopy of the original script
with any illegible words being written above by a member of school staff familiar with
the candidate’s handwriting) has been made, normal marking procedures should be
followed and the transcript only referred to when the candidate’s writing is too difficult
to decipher.
When marking “scribed” scripts (in such cases a ‘scribe’ cover sheet should have
been attached to the script), the specific instructions for marking such scripts should
be applied. The candidate should not be awarded marks for spelling or punctuation,
unless punctuation has been dictated (this will be indicated on the scribe cover
sheet).
If a script has been word-processed the paper should be marked in the usual way
and the normal marking scheme applied.
8.
Submitting Marks
Marks will be submitted using the EMI system and examiners should refer to the
online “Electronic mark input (EMI) Guidelines”.
If a candidate does not attempt a question, examiners should leave the relevant box
blank and ‘click’ in the box headed ‘C’.
9.
Submitting Marks for Late Entry Candidates
The electronic system will be updated with as many Late Entry candidates as
possible. However, if candidates are very Late Entries, they may not appear on your
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allocation and it may be necessary for you to add them. Please refer to the online
“Electronic Mark Input (EMI) Guidelines” for details.
For more information on Late Entries see section 12 of this booklet ‘Frequent
Queries’.
10.
Returning Marked Scripts
Scripts should be returned to WJEC (as whole centres) in batches of about a
hundred once marks have been input and submitted. It is imperative that marked
scripts are sent to WJEC regularly throughout the marking period, and the first batch
should be sent to the Team Leader or Principal examiner when the first hundred or
so scripts have been completed. The pre-addressed plastic sacks in the stationery
pack should be used for sending the remainder of the scripts (i.e. those not sent as
specimens), and a delivery method should be selected (see ‘Instructions for
returning marked scripts to WJEC’ in Section 13 of this booklet).
It is most important that examination scripts should be sent back to WJEC in the
script envelopes in which they were received. These envelopes should not be
resealed, but must be packed in the pre-addressed plastic sacks provided before
being posted. Script envelopes must not be used as the outer covering of any
parcel.
It is essential that the greatest possible care should be taken in the packing of
scripts, and if large numbers of scripts are involved it is advisable that they be sent in
several parcels.
11.
Payment and Expenses
Payments for attendance of Examiners’ Conferences, for marking of scripts and for
expenses will be made separately. Payment for attendance at Examiners’
Conferences will be paid automatically within two to three weeks of the conference
(except for GCSE English/English Language/English Literature and GCSE RS). All
fees for the marking of scripts will be paid to Examiners (other than Team Leaders
and Principal Examiners) automatically at the end of the marking period, provided
that all marks and scripts have been received. For GCSE English, English
Language, English Literature and RS conference fees will also be paid at this
time. It is not possible to provide a precise date as this depends on the progress of
other operational procedures (e.g. the processing of late entries); however, it is
anticipated that the first payments will be made towards the end of July, and all
examiners will have received payment by the middle of August. Confirmation will be
given of the number of scripts on which payment has been based. Examiners are
politely requested not to telephone the office before this time to enquire about
the precise date of payment.
One white claim form is provided in the stationery pack, and this should be used for
claiming travel, subsistence, postage costs and other expenses. It will help if all of
these expenses are claimed together at the end of the marking period, but if
considerable travelling costs have been incurred, these may be claimed after the
conference. This form is also available to download from the ‘Examiners’ section of
the WJEC website www.wjec.co.uk.
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12.
Frequent Queries
How will my scripts be sent to me?
Scripts are sent by centres to examiners using two main methods. English centres
use a system managed by DFE, whilst centres outside of England use the ordinary
postal system.
English Centres
Scripts from centres in England are sent via a ‘track and trace’ service
provided by Parcelforce.
Arranging a redelivery - After the first attempted delivery a card will be put
through your letter box advising you who to contact and/or where to go to
collect your parcels. When you ring your local depot you will be given a
number of automated options to arrange a redelivery to an alternative
address, to your nearest Post Office or Parcelforce Worldwide depot.
Alternatively you can arrange redelivery online at:
www.parcelforce.com/dfe
If you have any additional questions or comments regarding this service
please contact WJEC by email yellowlabels@wjec.co.uk or telephone on 029
2026 5089 or ring the DFE enquiry line on 0300 100 0100.
Centres outside England
Scripts from outside England are sent by whatever method the centre
chooses, however, we recommend that these centres use normal first class
post.
I have not yet received any scripts, and will be unable to provisionally mark 10
scripts before the Examiners’ Conference
The provisional marking of 10 scripts before the examiner conference is intended to
prepare examiners, and to allow any issues or questions that arise as a result of this
process to be raised. There will be rare occasions when scripts do not reach an
examiner before the date of the Examiners’ Conference; however, Subject Officers
and Principal Examiners will take account of this. In all cases, examiners should
familiarise themselves with the question paper and provisional mark scheme before
the conference.
I have not yet received some of my scripts
First identify whether the missing scripts are from a centre in England (centre nos.
10001 to 45000 and 45999 to 66999) or a centre outside England (any centre not
included in the above ranges).
English centres: Scripts from centres in England are sent via the ‘track and
trace’ courier system discussed above. If you have received a card through
the door indicating that an attempted delivery has been made, follow the
instructions given on the card. If you have not received a card, after ten
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working days contact the relevant administration section on the ‘Missing
scripts’ number given at the front of this booklet.
Centres outside England: If, after 10 working days, scripts from centres outside
England have not arrived, you should contact your local Postal Sorting Office. If
the scripts still cannot be located, contact the relevant administration section on
the ‘Missing scripts’ number given at the front of this booklet.
In either case, WJEC must be informed when scripts are subsequently delivered, in
order to avoid unnecessary searches.
Scripts from one of my centres are not in script envelopes and were badly
packed
Please contact WJEC immediately if any parcels of scripts received from centres are
insecurely packed or have required repacking at a Post Office. If the scripts are not
in script envelopes, please contact WJEC so that new script envelopes can be sent
to you.
I have received scripts from a centre not on my invoice
If you have received a small number of scripts (up to approx. 20) from a centre not
listed on your invoice, they are likely to be late entries, and were therefore not
originally allocated an examiner. Please check that the packet contains scripts for
the subject, paper and tier that you are marking, and that it contains a white
attendance register with ‘Late Entry Attendance Register’ and your name written on
the top. If the scripts are late entries, they should be marked as normal following the
instructions given in section 9 (Submitting Marks for Late Entry Candidates).
If you have received a larger number of scripts (more than approx. 20) from a centre
not listed on your invoice, or the pack contains a normal blue Attendance Register
with another examiner’s name on it, please contact WJEC immediately.
I have received scripts for a paper I am not marking
If you receive any scripts for a paper you are not marking, please contact WJEC
immediately. Please be ready to tell us the relevant centre number, and the subject
code and paper. These details can either be found on the script packet, or on the
front of each script. We will then give you the correct examiner’s details and
instructions on how to forward the scripts.
I have received a single script with an attendance register headed ‘transferred
candidate’
Occasionally, for various reasons, candidates may be entered at one centre (the
entering centre), but actually sit their examinations at another centre (the host
centre). The script envelope may therefore have either the entering centre or the
host centre’s number written on it.
The script envelope should contain a white A4 Attendance Register headed
“Transferred Candidate Attendance Register” which will show the candidate’s
entering centre number and the candidate should be listed on your allocation for this
centre. Such a script should be marked as normal, the mark input as usual with the
other candidates at the entering centre, and the script added to the other script
packet with the entering centre’s scripts.
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There is no indication that this candidate was absent, but I do not have a script
for them
Check carefully through all script packets from that centre. If the script still cannot be
found, contact WJEC with details of the centre number, subject and paper number,
candidate number and candidate name. The school will be contacted, and you will
be informed of the outcome. If you subsequently locate the script, please inform
WJEC immediately.
I have found a letter from a centre in a script packet
Any unauthorised communications found in script packets should be returned to the
relevant section at the WJEC offices. This also applies to any requests for special
consideration, as these are dealt with at a later stage.
I am concerned about the content/integrity of a script
Any concerns regarding the content or integrity of a script should be brought to the
attention of the Subject Officer. If specific instructions have been given at the
Examiners’ Conference, these should be followed.
I have encountered problems that may delay the completion of my marking
If any problems arise during the marking period that may delay the completion of
your marking beyond the specified return of scripts date, you must inform WJEC
immediately.
I have completed my marking, returned all scripts and submitted all marks, but
have not yet been paid.
Payments to examiners in respect of marking of scripts will be generated
automatically towards the end of the marking period. In order to ensure the
payments reflect the full extent of each examiner’s marking, a number of internal
operational procedures (particularly those relating to late entries) need to be
completed before the payments can be issued. It is thus not possible to give a
precise date, but it is anticipated that payments for most “early” exams (those
held in May & early June) will be made towards the end of July, with the
remainder being issued by the second week of August.
If examiners have not received payment by 16 August, please contact us.
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13. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RETURNING MARKED SCRIPTS TO WJEC
(Not for examiner to team leader exchanges)
WJEC have a contract with Parcelforce to return all marked scripts to WJEC. WJEC are
invoiced directly for postal costs.
This section provides the instructions you need to return your marked scripts to WJEC.
Separate arrangements apply for sending samples to your team leader – please see
Section 5 of this booklet for details.
Please book your collections as early as possible. To ensure that a collection can be
booked on your preferred day, you need to call at least one day before the collection is
required.
Methods of Despatch
Section A
Labelling and addressing each parcel
Section B
Completing the Parcelforce Despatch Manifest
Section C
Despatching your parcels to WJEC
Accompanying this booklet you will find all the documentation you need to despatch your
scripts:



5 WJEC pre-addressed script sacks
Parcelforce 48 barcoded labels. One must be attached to every parcel of
scripts you send.
Despatch Manifests for each despatch of scripts.
Methods of Despatch
You can EITHER
OR
Telephone to arrange a collection
of your script parcel(s) on
Deliver the script parcel(s) to a
Post Office that can accept
Parcelforce Worldwide express
parcels (see notes overleaf) or
to a Parcelforce Worldwide
depot.
08448 004466
Lines are open Monday to Friday between
08:00am – 7.00pm / 8.30am – 5.30pm on
Saturday and 9.00am – 17.00pm on Sundays
For Welsh speaking customer:
 Gall cwsmeriaid sy’n siarad Cymraeg gysylltu â ni ar 0844 800 5550
For customers with impaired hearing:
 Contact us on Textphone 08000 855 854
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Section A
Labelling and addressing each parcel

Seal the packets of marked scripts in the large plastic sacks provided and write your
name and the subject concerned in the box provided in the left hand corner. Make
sure all parcel(s) are securely sealed. Staples must not be used.

You have been provided with sufficient labels & sacks for FIVE separate mailings –
please contact WJEC if you require more than this

Irrespective of the method of despatch (parcel collection or post office/Parcelforce
depot), please follow the instructions below to complete and use Parcelforce 48 hour
barcoded labels. One label must be affixed to each parcel of scripts you send.
Attach the main part of the barcoded label
to the despatch envelope as shown.
This section should be retained and used
on the despatch manifest. See section B
}
NB – IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE THAT ONLY THE LABELS ISSUED TO YOU WITH
THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE USED TO RETURN SCRIPTS. ANY LABELS YOU MAY
HAVE RETAINED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS CANNOT BE USED AND SHOULD BE
DESTROYED
You are now ready to complete the Parcelforce Worldwide Despatch Manifest.
12
Section B
Completing the Parcelforce Despatch Manifest
When returning scripts to WJEC, complete the Parcelforce Worldwide Despatch manifest.
A separate Manifest must be used on each occasion you despatch scripts.
You should have one of these barcoded
sections for each parcel you are sending.
1. If you have not already done so, remove the small barcoded section(s) from bottom
of the Parcelforce 48 labels and place in each of the spaces provided on the
Despatch Manifest. When affixing the barcodes, please do not obscure the number
beneath the barcode with the next barcode section.
2. This is the contract
number you should quote
when booking a collection.
3. Enter the number of items
being despatched.
4. Enter the date you
are despatching the
items.
5. This is for the collection
driver to sign, and is your
proof that the item has been
collected.
You are now ready to despatch your parcels. Go to Section C overleaf.
13
Section C
Despatching your parcels to WJEC
You have a choice of two methods to return your marked scripts to WJEC.
There is a single number for you to ring to book a collection, locate the nearest main Post
Office that will accept packages for the Parcelforce 48 service, or to confirm the delivery of
your parcel if required.
Parcelforce Worldwide collection and enquiry line
08448 004466
Lines are open Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00 /
8.30am – 5.30pm on Saturday and 9.00am -17.00pm on Sundays
For Welsh speaking customer:
 Gall cwsmeriaid sy’n siarad Cymraeg gysylltu â ni ar 0844 800 5550
For customers with impaired hearing:
 Contact us on Textphone 08000 855 85
Method 1 - For a Parcelforce Worldwide collection from home/work
Follow Sections A and B to label and address each parcel and complete the Despatch
Manifest. Telephone the number above to arrange a collection.
If a collection is not possible on the date requested, you will be offered an alternative date.
Please confirm with the agent when you will be available for the collection.
Have the following information available when you call.

The Contract Number as printed on the Despatch Manifest – P209910

The full collection address including postcode.

The number of parcels you will be despatching.

Please state the Parcelforce 48 service when requesting a collection.
The Parcelforce Worldwide driver will sign the completed Despatch Manifest in the space
provided.
You should retain the Despatch Manifest as your Proof of posting. It should not go with the
driver.
If your parcel(s) are being collected from your work address, please ensure that staff
involved (reception staff, etc.) are aware of these procedures.
Method 2 - If you are taking your parcels to a Post Office
Follow Sections A and B to label and address each parcel and complete the Despatch
Manifest.You can check the nearest Post Office that accepts Parcelforce 48 parcels on the
Parcelforce Worldwide website at www.parcelforce.com. Select 'Depot locator/Post Office
14
Locator', then 'Post Office Branch' and 'Parcelforce express services' from the drop downlist.
Enter your postcode and click on 'Search'. The same method can be used to locate your
nearest Parcelforce Worldwide depot. Alternatively you can telephone the number above. A
full listing of these Post Offices is also available on the ‘Examiners’ section of the WJEC
website (www.wjec.co.uk) under “Show all documents”.
It is important to note that parcels can only be despatched from one of these specified
post-offices. The parcels cannot be despatched from smaller “sub” post offices.
When you hand over your parcel(s), the Post Office will provide you with a till receipt that
should be attached to your Despatch Manifest. It will contain all the parcel numbers of all
the items that have been handed over, and will act as your proof of posting. It should be
attached to the Despatch Manifest and retained. Do not leave items at a post office without
obtaining the till receipt.
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