Entry Pathways Humanities 2011

Entry Pathways Basic Terms: The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is designed to offer learners, learning providers and employers an inclusive and flexible regulated qualifications framework that recognises the widest possible range of quality-assured learner achievements. WJEC have designed and developed qualifications comprised of credited units.

These units are offered at a variety of levels… - Entry 1 - Entry 2 - Entry 3 - Level 1 (equivalent to D-G grade at GCSE) - Level 2 (equivalent to A*-C grade at GCSE) …and all have a credit value attached to them. These credit values then add together to make an: Award (8 – 12 credits) Certificate (13 – 36 credits) Diploma (37 + credits)

For example: A centre chooses a History unit called Looking at British Society in the Past. This unit is available to candidates who wish to study at Entry 2 or Entry 3 only, with a credit value of 3. If a centre decides to pursue with two more units, both worth 3 credits each, giving them a total of 9 credits, the candidate will then gain an Award. If a centre decides to add an additional unit worth 4 credits, giving them a total of 13 credits, then the candidate will gain a Certificate.

Overview It is an individualised course, where if or when a pupil moves to another school or college, that also offers the WJEC Entry Pathway qualification, they are able to take their completed (accredited) units with them and continue to add to them whenever/wherever. This makes the Entry Pathways flexible and personalised, enabling centres to combine units to create programmes of study suited to individual learners’ needs.

One of the main developments is that there will be no examinations or set tasks at Entry Pathways. WJEC is no longer going to set assessments for centres to follow, they are mainly going to give exemplars. The object now is for the students to achieve the learning outcomes regardless of what the assessment is. This offers the teachers the opportunity to be more creative with their students by establishing a variety of assessments for each unit, e.g. The key is that candidates have to demonstrate that they have achieved the assessment criteria through a range of activities done in class.

Humanities Development is on going at the moment The subjects under the Humanities Pathways include: Humanities History Geography Religious Studies French These subjects will be available to teach from September 2011 and are offered at Entry 2 and Entry 3 only.

Humanities Units When choosing Units to study, there are many ways to do so: Units taught can be all in one subject e.g. all History units. OR 2. Mix and Match from any other subject within the Humanities Pathway. 3. A unit from another Pathway can be included in the Award or Certificate for Humanities e.g. Working as part of a group. 4. A History unit, for example, can be included in another Pathway such as Personal and Social Development (PSD). Whatever option is chosen (1, 2 or 3 only), the qualification will be titled ‘Humanities’.

Humanities Assessment All Entry Level Pathway units are internally assessed and externally moderated (through sample scripts). Assessment is criteria-based rather than mark-based. Assessment criteria must be met in full at each level; i.e. ‘Achieved’. Credit is awarded for the units as a whole. Topics and Tasks may be chosen from exemplars given by the WJEC or set by the centre.

Draft Units to Date The Changing Population of the UK Fragile Environments Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis Sustainable Communities Sustainable Tourism Food Production and the Consumer Being a Responsible Consumer The Exploitation of Children Resolving Conflict in World Events Rights and Responsibilities The Work of Religious Charities Religious Festivals and Celebrations Religious Initiation Rites Religious Marriage Ceremonies Places of Worship Discussing Contentious Issues Persecution of People Looking at your History Looking at a British Society in the Past Looking at a non-British society in the Past Looking at Change over Time People and Protest History in the News The Impact of War *There are some others being worked on which will be added to the list.*

Contact Us Domain Leader: Phil Star. Email: phil.star@wjec.co.uk Tel: 029 2026 5125 Subject Officer for Humanities Entry Pathways: Alison Doogan. Email: alison.doogan@wjec.co.uk Tel: 029 2026 5022 Subject Support Officer for Humanities Entry Pathways: Jenna Martin. Email: jenna.martin@wjec.co.uk Tel: 029 2026 5094 General Entry Pathways enquiries: Chris Quinn. Email: chris.quinn@wjec.co.uk Tel: 02920 265128