Staff Conference 2016 – Qualification Development

Phil FarrellTuesday 17 May 2016

2015-16 so far

1. Responding to the external regulatory (Ofqual) environment

2. New qualification development3. Development of qualification support

materials

• Functional Skills• Apprenticeship Offer

• Growing – Construction and Youth Work (possibly)

• Development of 16-19 qualifications (Performance Points)

• Responsive developments• Finance in Education• Level 4 Diploma in Fashion (Conde Nast)• Level 2 STEM development fast track to

level 3 for 17+ learners• CAD 3D for Garden Designers

Developments 2015/16

14-19 Academic and Vocational Pathways

General Education Progression at 16 Progression at 18/19

Advanced/Higher Apprenticeships or other

skilled employment

UniversityAcademic

Academic/vocational

Advanced technical

Apprenticeships

Technical Certificates

Traineeships

Core GCSEs

None-core GCSEs

Technical Awards

Other qualifications

16-19 (16-23)• Development of substantial level 3 vocational

qualifications that would carry performance points• Incremental development starting with Applied

Generals in 2016• Targeted at schools and colleges as an

alternative to A levels, or complementary also for 19+ learners

• Different sizes equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 A levels- Applied Science- Health and Social Care- Business and Logistics

Characteristic Technical Qualifications Applied GeneralTechnical Certificates

(Level 2)Tech Level (Level 3)

Declared Purpose

Size min 150 GLH min 300 GLH min 150 GLH

Recognition Employers, professional or trade bodies, etc HEIs

Appropriate content

40% Mandatory 40% Mandatory 60% Mandatory

Appropriate assessment

25% External 30% External 40% External

Synoptic assessment

Of sufficient size to meaningfully cover the full range of the qualification’s content. Synoptic assessment does not have to involve external assessment.

Grading Qualifications must have a distinction, merit, pass, fail structure or a more detailed grading scale.

Employer involvement

Students undertake meaningful activity involving employers that is governed by QA procedures run by the AO to confirm that education providers have secured employer involvement for every student.

Progression Track record least 100 students least 100 students least 100 students

Support Materials – what we have • Indicative content for some qualifications:

• Procurement all levels – in qualification specification and Prism

• Skills for Health and Social Care (Levels 1 and 2 subject specific units)

• Skills for Childcare Level 1• Skills for Business Level 1

• English and Maths - guidance• Entry level guidance documentation• ERR workbooks – or links to

Support Materials – PilotHealth and Social Care:

• Level 1 and Level 2 indicative content • Programme building guidance• Sample Assignment

Future Developments

• Apprenticeships – Trailblazers• Further development of 16-19

qualifications for study programmes e.g. Level 3 Applied Generals in additional sectors, Level 3 Tech Levels, Level 2 Tech Certs

• Responsive developments, e.g. full cost recovery, charged for developments

Apprenticeship - TrailblazersApprenticeship Trailblazers

No new frameworks; frameworks gradually to be phased out.

Apprenticeship Standards setting out the skills, knowledge, competency and behaviours required for the occupation.

• Specify level of English and maths• May specify mandatory qualification• End-point assessment set out in an assessment plan

– end point assessment is not a qualification

Trailblazers

Opportunities for us:

• Providing service to employers to develop standards

• Offering service to develop assessment plans

• Offering qualifications if mandated within the standard

• Providing the end-point assessment service.