ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS
Everyone will be offered choices, you should try to make the best choices for yourself. The 3 main things to think about are:
1. How you expect to get on in your studies - your level of 'expected achievement'
2. How you like to learn - your 'preferred learning styles'
3. How success in your learning will help you to achieve your career plans
If you are unsure about any of these there are plenty of people who can help - your parents/carers, teachers, learning mentor, Connexions personal adviser or anyone else who you feel could offer you support.
Whilst GCSEs and A levels are well known and the right options for many young people there are many other courses which may suit you. If you think about the points above and think something else might suit you more, find out about it and talk to someone who can help you decide.
Foundation Learning is designed to support you on to a Level 2 course, apprenticeship and other positive destinations such as independent living/supported employment.
If you are interested in vocational learning please view the Birmingham, Black Country and Solihul A to Z Vocational Learning Guide
This Guide aims to help you by; Giving you up to date information on the 14 different sectors which make up the world of work; Explaining what kinds of qualifications are available and how they fit together to form a ladder for your career progression; Showing you that there are many different ways to make progress through vocational learning.
Here are some of the courses and qualifications available in Sandwell. If you would like to find out more please visit the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website at: http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_134.aspx
GCSE Qualifications
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCSEs are usually taken at the end of year 11, however some students may take one or more at the end of year 10 or retake/take more in Post 16 education.
Achievement of 5 GCSEs D - G is equivalent to level 1 and achievement of 5 GCSEs A* - C is equivalent to level 2. It is very important to achieve if possible, at least 5 grades A - C including English and Mathematics (level 2) as this will show your skills in English and Maths are at the level required by employers.
There are a large number of GCSE courses which are taught and assessed in different ways, so when choosing GCSEs, as with any course, it is important to find out exactly what is involved.
Students who achiieve GCSEs D - G at the end of year 11 are recommended to explore all potential alternative level 2 courses if they are considering retaking GCSEs. More study does not necessarily lead to more success.
GCE AS/A levels
The GCE AS (Advanced Subsidiary) level is the first year of GCE A (A2) level and it is a qualification in its own right. GCE A level is a two year course, 5 GCSE A* - C including English and Maths are the usual minimum entry requirements for an A level course at an institution.
They are traditionally the qualifications taken by young people who are planning to go into higher education, however these days there are many other routes.
A levels have traditionally been considered to be 'academic', the term now used is 'general' and some that are more work related are called 'Vocational A levels' .
All A levels are made up of six elements which are referred to as units. The first three units comprise the AS level with the final three studied as A2. There are two routes - 'modular' and 'linear'. On the modular route, units may be taken throughout the course in both January and June of the first and second years. On the linear route all units are assessed at the end of the two years.
As well as contributing to the full GCE A level award the GCE AS is a freestanding qualification. Students normally study four and sometimes five subjects. The number of subjects then reduces to two, three or four in the second year of the course (called A2) which are carried on to the full A level.
However, the A2 units only contribute to the full GCE A level and are not a seperate qualification. Both the AS and the A2 are graded on an A - E scale, E being the lowest pass grade awarded, with U being unclassified and not carrying any UCAS points. For the purpose of entry into higher education, one AS would equate to approximately half a GCE A level.
BTEC Qualifications
BTEC qualifications are vocational courses which focus on occupations or vocational areas for example: graphic design or travel and tourism.
They are offered at different levels, from BTEC Foundation to BTEC Higher National Diploma level.
BTEC First courses are level 2 courses and equivalent to GCSE grades A - C. They can be two year courses in Keystage 4, but Post 16 they are usually one year courses.
BTEC National is a long-established and well-recognised level 3 course that is equivalent to GCE A2 level. They provide a vocationally specialised preparation for employment or courses in higher education. There are BTEC National courses in a wide range of sectors, for example: e-business, computing, care, media, music, art,and design, performing arts, applied science and engineering. Entry requirements will be a level 2 qualification, usually a BTEC First or 4/5 GCSE A* - C. For anyone with a level 2 qualification interested in a particular occupation or occupational area a BTEC National could be an alternative to A levels as the teaching, learning and assessment methods will be different.
Progression from BTEC National qualifications to higher education is the same as for A levels.
Diploma Programmes
The Diploma is a new programme which will be in Sandwell from September 2009. To be awarded a Diploma students will need to achieve a range of specified qualifications. Diplomas are designed to develop an appreciation of the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required for success in a range of vocational areas. They will do this by including projects developed with employers and work related learning such as work experience.
Diplomas will be offered at three levels:
Foundation which is a level 1 qualification and equivalent to, for example, 5 GCSEs at grades D - G.
Higher which is a level 2 qualification and equivalent to, for example, 7 GCSEs at grades A* - C.
Advanced which is a level 3 qualification equivalent to 3 and a half A levels.
From September 2009, 2 Diplomas will be available across Sandwell and these are:
- Creative and Media
- Engineering
It is likely that the following Diplomas will also be available across Sandwell in September 2009:
- Business Administration and Finance
- Construction and the Built Environment
- Hair and Beauty
- Information Technology
More will be introduced every year and by 2013 a total of 17 will be available.
To be awarded a Diploma students will need to pass qualifications in the following aspects of each Diploma:
Main area of learning
Additional learning
Functional Skills
Maths
English and IT together
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills will help to equip you for the workplace and lifelong learning. The six skills are to develop:
Independent enquirers
Creative thinkers
Reflective learners
Team workers
Self-managers
Effective participators
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They assess the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and show that a candidate is competent in the area of work which the NVQ framework represents.
NVQs are designed primarily for people in the workplace, but some level 1 NVQ courses in schools are taken by students at Key Stage 4 on 'Increased Flexibility Programmes'. Post 16 level 1 and 2 NVQs are taken as part of Post 16 programmes in school and college and are also the qualifications taken on Apprenticeships.
NVQs are based on national occupational standards. These standards are statements of performance which describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt to future requirements and the knowledge and understanding which underpin competent performance. NVQs suit those who learn in a practical way.
NVQs are achieved through assessment and training. Assessment is normally through on-the-job observation and questioning. Candidates produce evidance to prove they have the competence to meet the NVQ standards. Assessors sign off units when the candidates are ready. The assessor tests candidates knowledge, understanding and work-based performance to make sure they can demonstrate competence in the workplace
RSA Qualifications
Oxford Cambridge RSA (OCR) is an awarding body providing qualifications to students at school, college, in work or through part-time learning programmes.
RSA Vocationally Related Certificates are available in many subjects, the two most commonly encountered are in Word Processing and Typing.
Certificates differ in their content and assessment as each has a different specification. Methods of assessment may include practical assessments and/or OCR-set and marked assessments.
Stage 1 is generally considered to be Level 1
(GCSE grades D - G)
Stage 2 is generally considered to be Level 2 (GCSE grades A*- C)
Stage 3 is generally considered to be Level 3 (A level standard)
City and Guilds
City and Guilds (often shortened to C&G) are an awarding body offering qualifications in a variety of occupations. C&G qualifications have four levels, 1 - 4 which relate to National Qualification levels. Students may take, for example, C & G Construction courses in Key Stage 4 as part of Increased Flexibility Programmes (see below) and at College Post 16.
Foundation Learning
If you are 14 and over, and you need more time to reach a Level 2 qualification (GCSE A*-C or equivalent), Sandwell 14-19 Learning working with Schools, Academies, Sandwell college, Training Providers and Alternative Providers will be able to offer you Foundation Learning qualifications.
Foundation Learning qualifications will allow you to follow a personalised learning programme, gaining valuable qualifications at Entry level and Level 1
The balance of Fuctional Skills, Personal and Social Development and Vocational subject-based learning will help you to develop the skills you need for employment, further study,or independent living.
Foundation Learning aims to provide you with clear progression opportunities allowing you to make the most of your skills and aspirations.
For more information on the benefits of Foundation Learning please click here
For more information on "The Parents Guide to Foundation Learning" please click here
If you need any further information please contact your local school or college. Connexions will be able to advise you too. You can look up courses on the Area Prospectus.