For the past few months we’ve continued to keep you posted on our V Cert qualification developments. Throughout January to April participating schools have continued to work with us to review the content of our new V Cert qualifications and, where possible, deliver a selection of sample units to their pupils. Once again, we really wanted to give schools the opportunity to explore what we’d developed to help ensure that the qualifications continue to engage pupils.
The V Cert subjects covered in this year’s pilot were Computing, Business & Enterprise and Creative Craft and as with last year, the pilot project has been an invaluable source of information for NCFE and the schools that have taken part. Some of the schools completed their pilot as a single unit, some trialled the whole qualification and some used it as an opportunity to teach the Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications together to see how they aligned in mixed ability classes.
Pilot school representatives seemed to particularly enjoy the personal engagement and the opportunity to discuss directly with the NCFE V Cert team their queries and feedback and to make a real impact on the qualification.
As with last year, one key concern for the schools involved (who are not already delivering V Certs) is the differences in grading between the old and new generation of vocational qualifications. Previously, many of the old style vocational qualifications did not require a formal grading structure. However, under the new system, in order to be deemed sufficiently rigorous and therefore achieve parity of Performance Points with GCSEs, V Certs, like all new vocational qualifications, must have an element of external assessment and grading if they are to carry Performance Points in the 2015 and 2016 tables.
The good news is that with the provision of grading descriptors and the ability to apply assessment through project based learning, schools are not disadvantaged by this new approach. The consensus of the feedback from schools appears to support this also. What is important though is the recognised need for support for these qualifications.
The optional Unit 1 within the Level 2 Computer Technology was described as quite e-safety heavy and although there were other options available (which schools within the pilot elected to run instead) it is a good opportunity here to highlight the fact that the flexibility and project based approach for these qualifications means teachers can contextualise all V Cert units which of course can help bring them to life within the classroom.
In fact, across the sample units, teachers have found that the style of project based learning is a style that they and their pupils found genuinely engaging. The work produced has been brilliant, with some really excellent project work from young pupils and committed teachers.
“Taking part in the pilot has been extremely important and useful to both myself, and the students involved. It has given us the opportunity to look at the assessment criteria before it is released and set a benchmark for the new grading system. We were able to put the funding available to good use by providing more resources and materials for the students to use. The students saw this as an opportunity to be involved with something from the start and as it was done during the holiday meant less pressure as far as completing work within school timetabled sessions. It also made them more motivated and self-driven learners by including an enterprise element. All in all an exciting and innovative project and we look forward to the qualification going live from September.”
Carol Bell, Instructor, The Academy at Shotton Hall
Given the ranging pressures that schools are under, NCFE would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every school and staff member that’s been involved in reviewing these qualifications. Without your help it wouldn’t be possible for us to continue to develop our qualifications and resources for schools.
As well as developing further support resources for this year’s piloted qualifications we are also now starting work on developing our next additions to V Certs. To be involved in next year’s V Cert pilot please get in touch on the email below.
Finally, to help schools learn more about V Certs, we’re hosting a webinar on the 26 June, if you’d like to sign up for this online event then please email Hannah or Hayley at [email protected].
