Typical student timetable

What is the Foundation Learning Tier?

The Foundation Learning Tier

• Revised set of credit based units and qualifications with clear progression routes through entry level and level 1 to level 2

• Aims to increase participation and achievement amongst learners and help them progress through work and life

– From the Prospects for Progression Pathways

Progression Pathways

• Parameters for designing personalised learning programmes to support individual progression through the achievement of an appropriate combination of qualifications

– From the Prospectus for Progression Pathways

The 4 Progression Pathways

• First full level 2

• Skilled work/ Apprenticeship

• Supported employment or independent living

• Foundation level 1 diploma or GCSE ( for learners aged 14 – 19)

Progression Pathways

• Include three components:– Vocational skills, knowledge and

understanding

– Functional skills

– Personal and social development

The Process• Preparation

– Requirement 1- Personalised learning– Requirement 2 – Recognition of achievement and

progress– Requirement 3 – Coherent Progression Pathways– Requirement 4 - Effective initial assessment and

ongoing review– Requirement 5 – Reaching priority learners– Requirement 6 - Partnerships– Requirement 7 - Support for learners– Requirement 8 – Organisation and management

» Taken from LSC Provider Requirements for Progression Pathways

The Pilot

• 18 first year students• 7 Personal Tutors• The Process

– Personal Tutors meeting regulary to share practice– Reviewed units and decided which ones to use first– Developing paperwork to track the units– Train other OCN tutors to work with the learning

outcomes and track progress– Review process and plan next steps

Our challenges• How can we maintain individual

student programmes• How can we maintain the

diversity of subjects offered• How can we continue to offer

land and craft based activities• How do ensure that learners

achieve at a pace that suits them

• How will we prepare and train staff to deliver the Progression Pathways

How we have addressed some of the challenges

• Qualification – NOCN Certificate in Progression• Core Units – Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2

– Health and Safety– Assertiveness and decision making– Personal confidence and self awareness– Preparation for work– Work experience– And others

• Functional Skills Qualification – AQA, Edexcel and City and Guilds - Functional Maths, Functional English and Functional ICT

The Delivery

• Core units will be embedded throughout the practical skills curriculum

• Units will be tracked by all tutors • Tutors will be able to choose specific learning outcomes

from the units to work within their sessions• Personal Tutors will oversee the students’ progress and

compile the evidence of achievement of learning outcomes

• Students will have a Progression Pathway file with all evidence of units achieved and list of possible further units to be achieved

• Specific units in lifeskills, ICT and vocational skills will be available to personalise the pathways

Our next steps• Increase number of learners

• Review and add appropriate specific units to list

• Audit staff training and development needs and plan training

• Monitor progression and achievement for learners on Progression Pathway compared to those who aren’t

What we hope to get out of this• Recognising progression

• Clear pathways linked to students’ destinations

• Whole college approach to progression and transition

• Better understanding of transition

What you can do• Identify appropriate pathway• Identify an appropriate qualification• Identify appropriate units• Review work experience/ vocational training provision

and living skills provision to identify gaps• Identify existing opportunities to deliver units e.g. in

residences• Decide whether to embed units or offer specific courses• Develop systems to track progress and achievement• Audit staff training and development needs and plan

training

Hopes and fears?

Any further questions?

Additional Information• Prospectus for progression pathways – working version

for 2008/2009 – LSC-P-NAT-080131

• Providers Requirements for Progression pathways – working version for 2008/2009 – LSC-P-NAT-070229

• Progression Pathways Provider Development Framework – QIA

• QIA Excellence Gateway – http://excellence.qia.org.uk/flt

• “A step towards personalised learning” – Peter Little (Adults Learning, Jan 2008)

• “Great expectations” – Viv Berkeley (Adults Learning, Jan 2008)

• FLT Qualifications Catalogue from QCA -http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_19836.aspx