1

KEY SKILLS

Marina King

January 2006

2

INTRODUCTION

• The qualification• Exemptions• Initial assessment• Achievement on Entry forms• On-screen testing• Students with identified learning needs• Assessment• Portfolio• Resits• Results

3

THE QUALIFICATION

• 2 assignments

• 1 on-screen test (at levels 1 and 2)

• 1 IT practical test (at level 3)

4

EXEMPTIONS

• GCSE A-C – should work towards level 3

• GCSE D-G – should work towards level 2

• No GCSE – should work towards level 1

• GNVQ Int ICT – should work towards level 3

• GNVQ Found ICT – should work towards level 2

5

INITIAL ASSESSMENT• IT key skills lecturer to do it during 1st

lesson. This is on the Internet. Details to follow

• The results will form an ILP

• For a quick overview, try the mock tests on the Desktop.

6

ACHIEVEMENT ON ENTRY FORMS (AOE)

The data on these forms are to help ascertain the level each student should be working towards. The following should be on the forms:

– GCSE results in Maths, English, ICT

– AS results in all the above

– Whether a candidate is on an AS programme in any of the above

– Any key skills achievement.

– Coded by PAL for guidance of relevant level

7

USING ACHIEVEMENT ON ENTRY FORMS

1. To check with the student their results are accurate. You will receive these forms in the 3rd week of September. Check with the students that their results have been recorded correctly and send back to PAL for enrolment onto relevant key skill.

2. To help ascertain the level students should be working towards.

3. To use for:a) entry for on-screen testsb) portfolio submission for external verificationc) proxy claims

4. A new form (obtained from Curriculum Ops) is required each time test/portfolio entries are requested.

8

ON SCREEN TESTING• Time must be allocated to prepare students for tests.• Students must pass 2 mock assessments before being

entered for the Edexcel test.• Portfolios do not need to be completed before

entering for tests.• There will be a room allocated to testing. Class

groups may be entered during their normal class time if the room is free.

• There may be opportunities to set mocks for AON and Comms in the testing room.

9

STUDENTS WITH IDENTIFIED LEARNING

NEEDS• Students who need extra time or readers

must be identified to Wendy West and on the AOE forms.

• These students may have to sit paper based tests – see PAL to discuss.

• Paper based tests are still subject to set dates and a long lead time for registering students.

10

LEVEL 3 TESTS

• These are practical IT tests for IT.

• Test windows still apply with deadlines for entering students weeks in advance.

• Past papers are available in library and on the QCA website.

• Use AOE forms to enter students.

11

RESITS

• Students must pay £10 for each key skill test that they resit. This includes:– If they failed previous attempt– If they did not show up previously when they had been

entered (unless they have a doctor’s certificate)

• A copy of their receipt must be attached to the AOE form when re-entering the students.

• If a student is on a new programme the following year, they do not have to pay to resit a test they failed previously.

12

RESULTS

• Provisional results are available as soon as the exams are uploaded (usually same day).

• Copies of the results will be kept by Curriculum Ops for tutors to refer to.

• Final results are sent in to College several weeks later from Edexcel.

• Pass slips/certificates are sent out to students either through the post or via PDTs.

13

PORTFOLIO• Suggest that assignments and portfolio is front loaded

to maximise key skills achievement.• Please go to see your key skills PAL to share formative

moderation.• On College moderation days, staff must bring portfolios

(either work in progress or completed) and share moderation.

• Portfolios must be completed, tracked and assessed before handing in for final moderation.

• AOE forms to be used for portfolios to be externally moderated.