NOCN Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) Qualifications Developing a Personalised Curriculum for Alternative Provision

What is a Personalised Curriculum? Basic QCA principle is: To use subjects and other areas of learning for developing skills and attributes to enable continued learning and participation matched to learners’ needs.

Origin of the Qualifications Work with Nottingham City, Leicester City and Leicestershire Raising aspirations and acheivement Careers Education and Preparation for Working Life Test and trials of QCF

NOCN Step-UP Qualifications - Features For 14+ learners for whom an alternative curriculum is appropriate Unit-based qualifications Flexible, bite-sized, curriculum Easy to tailor to needs of individuals Can be continued or started post-16 Listed on QCA catalogue for FLT provision Are mapped to Every Child Matters

NOCN Step-UP Qualifications - Design Unitised and credit based Range of units at Entry and Level One Different sizes of qualifications Flexible delivery/assessment (no external assessment) Supports learners with spiky profile Can be ‘nested’ Award can add units to become Certificate and Diploma

Step-Up Qualification Sizes Qualification Title Total credits Min Core credits GLH Performance Points NOCN Entry Level Award for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 3 - 30 3.5 NOCN Entry Level Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 15 150 14 NOCN Entry Level Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 37 9 360 28 NOCN Level One Award fr Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 6 54 12.5 NOCN Level One Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 21 180 50 NOCN Level One Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 39 351 100

Performance Points for GCSE GCSE Grade Performance Points A* 58 A 52 B 46 C 40 D 34 E 28 F 22 G 16

Course Title: Introduction to Teamwork Teamwork Skills 3 Credits 30 GLH Qualification Title: Entry Level Award in Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF Course Title: Introduction to Teamwork 3 Credits

Course Title: Introduction to Planting Containers Teamwork Skills 3 Credits Introduction to Using ICT Systems 3 credits Speaking and Listening: Engage in Discussion 3 credits Introduction to Garden Horticulture 3 credits Introduction to Planting a Container 3 credits 150 GLH Qualification Title: Entry Level Certificate in Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF Course Title: Introduction to Planting Containers 15 Credits

Assessment of Step-Up Qualifications Is by the teacher Is portfolio based Flows naturally from the unit content Does not involve external examinations Portfolio Evidence Must cover all assessment criteria Must be robust and authentic Can be in many forms

Supported by: Robust quality assurance model Centre recognition Verification Standardisation Training events Dedicated OCN support team Development Quality Registration and Awards

Future Developments Award, Certificate and Diploma qualifications at E1 and E2 Extension of Careers Education qualifications for the life of NQF Addition of Level 2 units to Step-UP qualifications – to allow level 2 unit acheivement for FLT

Future Developments Continued Level 2 6 Pathways planned Level 1 to be developed alongside Details worked out with providers Additional and Specialist Learning Identifying current NQF qualifications as ASL Submitting new qualifications for approval as ASL.

Proposed Level 2 Qualifications Credits GCSE Equivalence GLH NOCN Level 2 Award in Planning for Progression Progression to HE/FE Applications/interviews etc (i.e. Careers ed type units) Action planning Exploring vocational context 6 0.5 48 NOCN Level 2 Award in Personal Development All the above plus PLTS, PSHEE, Citizenship 12 1.0 96 NOCN Level 2 Award in Enhancing Vocational Learning Generic Vocational units, not sector specific Work experience Career planning etc NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Personal Development As in award 21 2 168 NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Exploring Vocational Skills Career planning, PLTS, sector specific taster vocational units plus the generic vocational units NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Enhancing Skills for Progression Esteem/confidence building, vocational tasters as above 30 3 240

Centre Recognition To ensure the security of the Award of NOCN credits, OCNs need to be assured that the provider has adequate Resources and QA processes to support the delivery, assessment and verification of N/OCN credits and qualifications

Consortium Working Small providers operating together, sharing resources and good practice

Consortium Criteria OCNs need to ensure approach continues to secure the award of credit and qualifications Consortium lead will go through full Recognition process identifying the methods, procedures and policies to support the consortium Satellite centres will need to apply to the consortium lead in the first instance for permission to join the consortium Will complete small application that will consist of contact details and agreement to comply with the arrangements

Consortium Lead Responsibilities : Organise annual end of year moderation/verification event Organise a minimum number of events throughout the year for CPD purposes To receive concerns/reports from or about satellite centres Agree with the OCN financial arrangements for the payment of fees Receive initial application from potential satellite centres Agree with satellite centres extension of provision

Satellite Centre Responsibilities: Named senior member of staff to take responsibility to ensure OCN requirements are met Commit to attend the CPD events Ensure relevant staff have access to necessary documentation Named member of staff liaising with OCN to process leaner registrations and claims for credit

OCN Responsibilities Have a named officer responsible to support the consortium Visit (over a period of time) all satellite centres for advice and guidance Support and present at consortium meetings providing updates on requirements and developments Liaise directly with satellite regarding registration and awards Provide consortium lead with learner registration and award activity reports registration across the consortium for monitoring purposes

Advantages Reduced cost of centre recognition Improved opportunities for sharing of good practice and resources Standardisation of provision across the consortium Peer group support Access to accreditation services may not otherwise be able to afford or manage

Questions? Contact Details: Karen Hedger, OCN London Region k.hedger@ocnlr.org.uk 0207 689 5879