a guide to ncfe and cache qualifications for schools · ncfe level 2 certificate in business and...

A guide to NCFE andCACHE qualificationsfor schools

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Schools SchoolsVisit: ncfe.org.uk/schools Email: [email protected] Call: 0191 240 8833* Visit: ncfe.org.uk/schools Email: [email protected] Call: 0191 240 8833*

Contents

Welcome to NCFE 3

Qualifications for schools 5

Why choose NCFE? 6

What are V Certs? 7

Key Stage 4 8

Post-16 qualifications 13

Resources 15

PSHE 16

Employability qualifications 17

Technical education explained for parents 20

How to get started 23

Welcome to NCFE

At NCFE, we believe in the power of education and we’re committed to helping every individual achieve their full potential through learning.

As an Awarding Organisation with over 170 years of experience, we understand that all pupils learn differently and that a curriculum based entirely on academic subjects and approaches to learning and assessment, may not be for everyone. When we created our offer for schools, we wanted to provide choice in the ways in which pupils can demonstrate their knowledge, with practical tasks, portfolio work and different assessment styles.

We’re also keen to ensure that our qualifications for 14-16 year olds benefit schools too, so we’re pleased to say that all of our V Certs carry performance point recognition.

We understand that time is a precious resource in schools, so we designed our V Certs, PSHE, employability and post-16 qualifications to fit seamlessly into your timetable and curriculum planning. Our dedicated Curriculum team and Customer Support team will be on hand to support you from approval right through to certification.

I’d like to thank you for considering NCFE as your Awarding Organisation to deliver technical qualifications. You’re in good company as more than 125,000 pupils have registered with V Certs so far. I hope you find this brochure useful in helping you plan for the year ahead. If you need any further support, please just get in touch.

Esme WinchManaging Director

“When we created our provision for schools, we designed our qualifications around what we believe to be the cornerstones of technical education: robust and comprehensive content, practical learning experiences and clear progression into further study or the workplace.”

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Qualifications+

Of course, it’s not just about the qualifications. You should want your Awarding Organisation to go that little bit further and use their expertise to support you in planning and delivery, so that you can focus on what matters - your pupils.

This is why we support all of our customers with our exceptional service. This includes a team of experts at your disposal, fast turnaround for certificates and contact touch points throughout the year, as you need them.

Contact us for more information.

Visit: ncfe.org.uk/schools | Email: [email protected] | Call: 0191 240 8833*

We understand that every pupil, just like every school, is different and it’s important to offer a breadth of choice alongside the traditional academic curriculum, to help pupils achieve their full potential. Our comprehensive schools offer includes our flagship V Cert qualifications for 14-16 year olds which are high quality technical alternatives to GCSEs and count as part of the Progress 8 measure.

From entry level to post-16 Applied Generals, we offer a full suite of qualifications across a wide range of subject areas. Our varied portfolio allows pupils to progress in their chosen subject area, whatever their next steps may be; whether that is to go on to further study, employment or an apprenticeship.

CACHE is the leading sector specialist in Health, Social Care and Childcare and we’re delighted to bring you CACHE qualifications for schools. These will give your pupils the best possible start in the growing care sectors under an industry recognised brand with a reputation for excellence.

CACHE qualifications

Qualifications for schools

Art & Design Graphic Design

Craft/Creative Design & Production

Digital Technologies

Interactive Media

Business & Enterprise Health & Fitness

Engineering

Music Technology

Child Development & Early Years Health & Social Care

Food & Cookery

Performance Skills

Sports Studies

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Why choose NCFE and CACHE qualifications for schools?

Meeting expectations

We develop our qualifications to meet the needs of the schools and teachers who deliver them and the needs of the pupils they’re teaching. In addition to this, we must also ensure that we meet the expectations of the Department for Education (DfE) when we develop our qualifications. Our Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 qualifications carry performance points or UCAS points and are recognised by the DfE as robust technical qualifications.

Little extras

We’ve developed a wide range of resources to help support the delivery of V Certs, including sample assessments, example portfolios, parents’ evening materials and factsheets.

Flexibility

Developed to fit easily into your timetable, V Certs can be delivered across different year groups as 1, 2 or even 3 year qualifications.

Crystal clear

We ensure that we have a transparent and easy to understand grading model and will focus on learning outcomes, rather than assessment criteria. We explain the assessment criteria in the qualification specification.

Re-sits

Sometimes things don’t go as planned; that’s why pupils are entitled to one re-sit opportunity for the external assessment.

Progression pathways

It’s important to know where a qualification can take you, so we demonstrate this in our career cards and progression maps, to help pupils and parents visualise the routes they can take after completing a V Cert qualification. V Certs offer broad progression opportunities into Level 3, some Level 4 programmes, apprenticeships, further study and specific career paths. We’ve provided some information on qualifications that post-16 pupils may be interested in on page 11.

Engagement

Technical qualifications improve pupil engagement, achievement and confidence using hands-on learning techniques to produce tangible results. Our qualifications give pupils the chance to explore and gain recognition for their practical skills and knowledge.

Events

Throughout the year, you’ll be invited to events which will help support teaching, delivery and assessment. This will include webinars, training events and networking opportunities, hosted or attended by a subject expert.

V Certs are technical alternatives to GCSEs, for pupils aged 14-16 studying Key Stage 4 curriculum. They are designed to fit around core GCSE subjects with equivalent levels of rigour and challenge. They come with a range of resources to support delivery and are based on practical, engaging content with clear progression routes and career pathways.

What are V Certs?

“There’s a lot of pressure for schools to promote EBacc subjects, however, there are a huge number of students for whom that pathway isn’t suitable. Schools need to have a good technical alternative and I believe that V Certs provide that. ”

Susan Hutchinson,Sports Teacher,Consett Academy

Progress 8 measureWhere V Certs sit within the progress 8 measure.

English Maths EBacc qualifications ‘Open group’

V Certs

Remaining EBacc qualifications and other approved qualifications

(GCSEs and other approved academic, art and vocational qualifications)

Sciences, computer science, geography, history and language

Double weighted* Double weighted

*Higher score of English language or English literature double weighted if a student has taken both subjects.

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QualificationQualification code

GLH* Performance table

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Art and Design 601/0677/3 130 2018

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Art and Design

600/6905/3 150 2018

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Engineering Studies 601/4592/4 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Studies 601/4532/8 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Food and Cookery 601/4661/8 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Food and Cookery 601/4533/X 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 1 Technical Award in Graphic Design 603/0844/8 120 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Graphic Design 603/0845/X 120 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Health and Fitness 601/4662/X 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Health and Fitness 601/4535/1 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 1 Technical Award in Interactive Media 603/0851/5 120 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Interactive Media 603/0852/7 120 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 1 Technical Award in Music Technology 601/6777/4 140 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 2 Technical Award In Music Technology 601/6774/9 140 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Child Development and Care

600/6644/1 125 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 1 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise

603/0835/7 120 2019

NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise

603/0838/2 120 2019

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Business and Enterprise 601/0315/2 120 2018

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Business and Enterprise 601/0048/5 120 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Creative Studies: Craft 601/0489/2 120 2018

Key Stage 4 Level 1 and 2 qualifications

v.certs

*Guided Learning Hours

Please be aware that some Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications share discount codes on the Key Stage 4 tables.

For detailed information on fees, qualification specifications and the latest discount codes, please visit ncfe.org/schools or contact us on 0191 240 8833*.

QualificationQualification code


NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Craft 601/0043/6 120 2018 & 2019

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Performance Skills 500/9177/3 120 2018

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Studies: Performance Skills

600/6990/9 120 2018 & 2019

How do V Certs measure up?

V Certs are designed as technical alternatives to GCSEs. Below is our grading model, alongside both the old and new model for GCSE grading, so you can understand comparable achievement rates in other subjects.

Old GCSE grading structure New GCSE grading structure V Cert grading structure

A* A

987

Level 2

D* 8.5D 7M 5.5P 4

BC

654

DEFG

321

Level 1

D* 3D 2M 1.5P 1

U U NYA (Not Yet Achieved)

For the latest performance table news, please download our performance tables quick guide

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/832876/dfe-summary-document-march-18-web-130318.pdf

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New qualifications for Key Stage 4We’ve been working on a new model for V Certs which has been informed by the advice of our regulators and, most importantly, the schools we work with. Many of our popular subject areas will now benefit from a combined level 1 /2 model so you can teach classes of mixed ability. These qualifications have been submitted for approval to appear in the 2020 performance tables.

Benefits of the new qualificationsAs well as allowing you to teach classes of mixed ability, the new qualifications will also benefits from:

• the ability to easily move pupils up and down a level

• redeveloped specifications with clear language to support delivery staff

• a compensatory marking model to recognise achievement across all assessment objectives (AOs)

• a range of new resources from NCFE and endorsed suppliers, iAchieve and Hodder.

What teachers have to say about the new qualificationsWe worked closely with teachers to understand what they wanted from V Certs. In this video, Laura Mulligan and Susan Hutchinson give their views on the new model.

v.certs

Qualifications Qualification code

Status Factsheet

NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness

601/4534/1 APPROVED Download the Factsheet

NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Art and Design

603/2964/6 Pending DfE approval Download the Factsheet

NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Creative Design and Production


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Digital Technology


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Engineering


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Food and Cookery


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Music Technology


NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Performance Skills

603/2960/9) Pending DfE approval Download the Factsheet

NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Sports Studies


Subjects to explore

Click to watch video

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834823/v-cert-factsheet-health-and-fitness-technical-award-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834817/v-cert-factsheet-art-and-design-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834818/v-cert-factsheet-business-and-enterprise-technical-award-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834819/v-cert-factsheet-creative-design-and-production-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834820/v-cert-factsheet-digital-technology-technical-award-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834827/v-cert-factsheet-engineering-technical-award-200318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834822/v-cert-factsheet-food-and-cookery-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834824/v-cert-factsheet-music-technology-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834825/v-cert-factsheet-performance-skills-190318.pdf

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/834826/v-cert-factsheet-sports-studies-technical-award-190318.pdf

https://youtu.be/y_QVx6K6tio

https://youtu.be/y_QVx6K6tio

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“Our pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and variety this qualification offers.

We love the flexibility and creativity it gives us to design our own assignment briefs. The practical hands-on nature of this V Cert makes it fun and engaging for all of our pupils but still has the depth and rigour to really stretch and challenge our more able pupils.”

Jo Ladbrook, Subject Leader –Design and Technology, Horndean Technology College

We’ve developed our Level 3 Applied General and technical qualifications to appeal to post-16 pupils who wish to gain broader knowledge in their chosen subject area. These qualifications are recognised in the 16-19 performance tables and provide a clear progression route from Level 1 and 2 V Certs. The qualifications will attract UCAS points to enable pupils to progress onto higher education.

Post-16 qualifications

Qualification titleQualification code


NCFE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Art and Design

601/8898/4 360 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Business and Enterprise

601/8908/3 360 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education

601/8436/X 455 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator)

601/8437/1 938 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)

601/8438/3 691 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care

601/8434/6 619 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

601/8435/8 1189 2018 & 2019 & 2020

NCFE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Music Technology

601/6779/8 360 2018 & 2019 & 2020


For the latest performance table news, please download our performance tables quick guide

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/832876/dfe-summary-document-march-18-web-130318.pdf

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Our range of resources

Our experience of working with schools means that we understand what you need to support your successful delivery of our qualifications.

Delivery guides

These documents contain a sample delivery plan and sample scheme of work to help you plan out the qualification delivery.

Sample portfolios

Put together as a result of our ongoing work with schools, our sample portfolios are designed to demonstrate the types of evidence that could be produced for a sample of units across V Cert qualifications. They can help teachers to reach grading decisions for V Certs.

Internal assessment exemplar tasks

We’ve created a set of exemplar tasks for each internally assessed V Cert unit. You can contextualise these tasks to suit the needs of your pupils and help them build up their portfolio of evidence.

The tasks have been designed to cover all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria/assessment points for each unit and provide opportunities for stretch and challenge.

Evidence and Grading Tracker

This helps pupils to track their achievement against the required learning outcomes/assessment criteria. There’s an Evidence and Grading Tracker for each internally assessed unit to help pupils keep track of their work and to help teachers to reach a judgement on the overall unit grade.

V Cert factsheets

We provide handy guides about our V Cert qualifications including: an overview of the qualification, the modules covered, the distinctions between the different levels available, (if applicable) and the benefits and progression opportunities for pupils.

Parent pack

This is a great tool to help demonstrate, and clearly explain the features and added benefits of technical qualifications to both pupils and their parents.

We’ve also included a tear out and keep guide for parents at the back of this brochure.

Career cards

For individual and classroom based career advice sessions, our career cards can be used during parents’ evenings and Key Stage 4 options meetings. Each career card is packed full of useful information about the industry related to the qualifications. The cards include information about Level 3 qualifications and progression routes, plus a wide range of potential job roles.

iAchieve

iAchieve is an endorsed supplier of NCFE and creates engaging online learning materials and resources exclusively for 5 of our V Cert qualifications, to support in their delivery.

iAchieve courses include:

• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Business and Enterprise

• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Health and Fitness• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Food and Cookery• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Studies• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Child

Development and Care.

Visit ncfe.org.uk/schools/learning-resources for more information about our free V Cert resources.

https://www.ncfe.org.uk/schools/learning-resources/

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Personal, Social and Health Education

For many schools, PSHE is an important part of pupil development. That’s why we offer a number of structured awareness raising qualifications specifically focusing on this area.

Each qualification is approved on Section 96 and is small enough to be delivered alongside your existing curriculum. From alcohol awareness to mental health awareness, our qualifications ensure your pupils gain knowledge and understanding of key topical and sensitive issues that impact people in society. These qualifications encourage pupils to become confident in open discussion and debate as well as using their initiative in project based work.

Qualification Qualification code GLH*

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness 501/0253/9 24

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Substance Misuse Awareness 501/0253/9 13

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Sexual Health Awareness 501/0254/0 9

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Alcohol Awareness 601/3184/6 27

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness 601/5976/X 24

NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Safeguarding in a Learning Environment

600/5515/7 26

NCFE Level 1 Award in Health and Safety Awareness 600/5207/7 18


“I personally believe that all schools should try to incorporate these additional subjects into the traditional academic timetable in order to promote student wellbeing and open up discussions on issues which students may be struggling with.”

Zoe Pasquet, PSHE teacher at Harmonize Academy

Your pupils’ years at school are just the first steps on a life-long journey of further education, training and work. Being prepared for their future will increase their chances of gaining employment and getting on in life.

We’ve developed a range of qualifications to help your pupils land their dream job. From CV writing and interview skills to how to manage money, all of these qualifications provide transferable and useful skills across all sectors. All of the qualifications in this range are portfolio-based giving you added flexibility around your existing timetables.

Below are just a few qualifications to consider to get your pupils career ready:

Qualification Qualification code GLH*

NCFE Level 1 Award in Employability Skills 601/4680/1 20

NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills 601/4681/3 90-110

NCFE Level 1 Award in CV Writing 600/3917/6 20

NCFE Level 1 Award in Job Search and Interview Skills 601/6208/9 40

NCFE Level 2 Award in Job Search and Interview Skills 600/1748/X 30

NCFE Level 1 Award in English: Listening and Responding to Others 601/1524/5 20

NCFE Level 1 Award in English: Participating in Discussions 601/1525/7 10

NCFE Level 1 Award in Introduction to Fire Safety for the Workplace 601/5650/8 7

NCFE Level 1 Award in Managing Your Money 601/3558/X 48

NCFE Level 1 Award in Maths: Working with Money 601/1169/0 10


Of course, this is just a taster. We understand that you might also be interested in other subject areas so we have more short qualifications listed online at ncfe.org.uk

Employability qualifications

http://ncfe.org.uk

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Bring out their best with V Certs

“We’ve seen pupils of all ability groups, including SEN learners and Pupil Premium students, make very good progress – more so than with their other subjects. Through the delivery of V Certs, we have an engaged, high achieving cohort of pupils who thoroughly enjoy their lessons.”

Daniel Bibbington, Head of Design andTechnology at Beverley Grammar School

Let’s talk technical education

Progress 8 measureWhere V Certs sit within the progress 8 measure.

English Maths EBacc qualifications ‘Open group’

V Certs

Remaining EBacc qualifications and other approved qualifications

(GCSEs and other approved academic, art and vocational qualifications)

Sciences, computer science, geography, history and language

Double weighted* Double weighted

*Higher score of English language or English literature double weighted if a student has taken both subjects.

We know that it can be hard to guide your child through school and give them the right advice during these formative years. Before each pupil begins year 10, they’ll need to select some options, alongside core subjects, to create their timetable.

Here’s some information to help you help them as they make these important decisions.

English and maths are from bucket 1, which are compulsory. Some schools may make other subjects compulsory such as languages or EBacc subjects like sciences, geography or history.

The second bucket is made up of EBaccqualifications (sciences, computer sciences, geography, history or languages).

The third bucket is all other EBacc qualifications and technical or vocational qualifications, such as V Certs.

Outside of the core subjects (bucket 1), your child will be given a variety of options to choose from, including technical qualifications.

What to expect

Your child will take 8 or more subjects at GCSE level, with some exceptions for pupils taking fewer.These options are selected from what is known as the 3 buckets.

The Attainment 8 score measures the achievement of a pupil across 8 different subjects.The Progress 8 score shows how they have improved during secondary school, compared to other pupils who were at the same level.

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What are V Certs? V Certs are technical or vocational qualifications which:

• are designed to apply both practical and theoretical knowledge in a specific area

• relate to employment in a particular sector with clear progression links

• consist of practical content or applied learning

• consist of both portfolio work and an examination element

• can prepare pupils for the workplace with unique skills necessary in their chosen sector

• allow pupils to gain recognition for practical skills

• open up broad progression opportunities into Level 3 programmes and apprenticeships.

From classroom to career Technical qualification content addresses the specificskills needed in the employment sector that they’reexploring. With the British Chambers of Commercereporting that 88% of businesses think school leaversare unprepared for the workplace, this is a welcomesupport for young people. When your child choosesa technical qualification, they are given occupationaltasters of different industries that they may nototherwise be introduced to.

What’s next?Making choices so early in life can be daunting.A rich and varied curriculum with a mixture ofsubjects will introduce different learning styles andsectors to your child. Find out more about V Certs onour dedicated web pages.

Who can take a technical V Cert?

Anyone! They’re a great option for people who benefit from learning through hands-on, practical content.

Are they easier than a GCSE?

Technical qualifications are scrutinised by theDepartment for Education to ensure they offerequivalent levels of rigour and challenge to a GCSE.However, the benefit is that some pupils find thatthe teaching methods used to deliver technicalqualifications helps them retain the information,giving them have a better chance of success.

What about if my child wants to study further at sixth form or college?

Many technical qualifications, including V Certs, carry performance points which is a measure set by the Department for Education to ensure that they’re a rigorous technical alternative to a GCSE. Therefore, they can go on to further study at sixth form or college, as they would with a GCSE.

What about Higher Education and University?

Your child can continue technical study at sixth form or college with Key Stage 5 qualifications like Applied Generals or Tech Certs. Many of these qualifications carry UCAS points, which is the points system applied to grades gained at school or college when applying for university.

Common questions

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Schools Visit: ncfe.org.uk/schools Email: [email protected] Call: 0191 240 8833*

How to get started

When you decide to choose NCFE qualifications for your school, getting started couldn’t be easier.

Go online www.ncfe.org.uk/schools

You can browse our huge selection of qualifications using our qualification finder. Add these to your online shortlist and complete the online form to gain approval. If you’re a new centre, you’ll be allocated an External Quality Assurer who will be in touch with you within 6 working days to arrange your centre approval review.

Prefer to talk? Great! Get in touch by phone or email and we will talk you through the process and answer your questions about the specific qualifications you’re looking at and the benefits of working with NCFE.

Call us 0191 240 8833*

Send us an email [email protected]

NCFEQ6 Quorum Business ParkBenton LaneNewcastle upon TyneNE12 8BT

* To continue to improve our levels of customer service, telephone calls may be recorded.Copyright © NCFE 2014. Updated March 2018. Please see ncfe.org.uk for most up to date information.

Call 0191 240 8833*Fax 0191 239 8001Email [email protected] ncfe.org.uk/schools @ncfeschools

a guide to ncfe and cache qualifications for schools · ncfe level 2 certificate in business and...

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