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

• 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 - Features

• 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

NOCN Step-UP Qualifications - Design

Step-Up Qualification SizesQualification Title Total

creditsMin 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 3 150 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 6 180 50

NOCN Level One Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF

39 9 351 100

GCSE Grade Performance Points

A* 58

A 52

B 46

C 40

D 34

E 28

F 22

G 16

Performance Points for GCSE

Introduction to Teamwork Skills

3 Credits

Qualification Title: Entry Level Award in Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF

Course Title: Introduction to Teamwork

30 GLH

3 Credits

Introduction Teamwork Skills

3 Credits

Speaking and Listening: Engage in Discussion

3 credits

Introduction to Garden Horticulture

3 credits

Introduction to Using ICT Systems

3 credits

Introduction to Planting a Container

3 credits

150 GLH

15 Credits

Qualification Title: Entry Level Certificate in Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF

Course Title: Introduction to Planting Containers

• Assessment– 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

Assessment of Step-Up Qualifications

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

Qualification Credits GCSEEquivalence

GLH

NOCN Level 2 Award in Planning for ProgressionProgression to HE/FEApplications/interviews etc (i.e. Careers ed type units)Action planningExploring vocational context

6 0.5 48

NOCN Level 2 Award in Personal DevelopmentAll the above plus PLTS, PSHEE, Citizenship

12 1.0 96

NOCN Level 2 Award in Enhancing Vocational LearningGeneric Vocational units, not sector specificWork experienceCareer planning etc

12 1.0 96

NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Personal DevelopmentAs in award

21 2 168

NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Exploring Vocational SkillsCareer planning, PLTS, sector specific taster vocational units

plus the generic vocational units

21 2 168

NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Enhancing Skills for ProgressionEsteem/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 Lead(typically LA through

14-19 group)

Satellite School Satellite School Satellite School Satellite School

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