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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Questions?
Contact Details:
Karen Hedger, OCN London Region