Qualifications

Every child is different consequently we have developed a diverse and inclusive curriculum that supports every child to achieve their full potential with supporting qualifications from Entry Level through to GCSE.

ASDAN is a curriculum development and awarding organisation which provides flexible and engaging programmes and certificated qualifications that help children develop skills for learning, work and life.

From Year 5 children work through the ASDAN Key Steps programme which is a comprehensive programme of activities in a range of topic areas covering Citizenship, PSHE, Environment Education, Personal Finance Education, Enterprise and Internationalism. The flexibility and range of Key Steps means that it can be followed for up to three years or for less than one year.

Children complete challenges and collate the work they produce in a portfolio of evidence, along with their student book and recording documents. Children must complete 30 hours of challenges to achieve each certificate. Students may achieve up to three certificates.

Children move on to the ASDAN Personal Development programme which features 13 modules. Children must work from their own student book and compile a portfolio of evidence to show what they have done.

Children gain 1 or 2 credits for each section completed, with each credit representing about 10 hours of activity. Six credits are needed to achieve Bronze, 12 credits for Silver and 18 credits for Gold. Internally-moderated Bronze Credit certificates are available for any learner that completes less than 60 hours work.

Children are required to plan and review their work at key points, explaining how they have developed their skills in six areas: Teamwork, Learning, Coping with problems, Use of Maths, Use of English and Use of IT. The student book contains the following modules: Combined Studies; Beliefs and Values; Expressive Arts; The Wider World; Science and Technology; World of Work; Health and Survival; Number Handling; The Environment; Home Management; Sport and Leisure; The Community; Communication.

The Unit Award Scheme (UAS) is a unique recording of achievement scheme, rather than a qualification.  It offers children the opportunity to have their achievements formally recognised with a certificate each time a short unit of learning is successfully completed.

There are no limits on:

• what can be accredited, as long as it is worthwhile and meaningful for the child
• who can achieve, in terms of age or ability
• how long it takes to achieve or when this takes place
• how learning can be evidenced.

The AQA Unit Award Scheme is invaluable as it is an important pathway for our children to receive accreditation for their achievements. It provides a wide range of units which are differentiated, making accreditation accessible to all children regardless of their ability.

ASDAN Personal and Social Development (PSD) qualification which provides imaginative ways of supporting young people in:

• becoming confident individuals who are physically, emotionally and socially healthy
• being responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society and embrace change
• managing risk together with their own wellbeing

Awards: Entry 1; Entry 2; Entry 3; Level 1; Level2

Certificates: Entry 1; Entry 2; Entry 3; Level 1; Level 2

Children have to complete enough units to reach the required number of credits for a particular size of qualification.

• At Entry 1-3: 6 credits are required for an Award, and 13 credits for a Certificate.
• At Levels 1-2: 8 credits are required for an Award, and 13 for a Certificate.

Each credit is equivalent to around 10 hours of learning time.

This qualification is:

• A nationally recognised certification
• Accreditation for existing PSHE and PSD activities
• Provides opportunities to include activities both inside and outside of school and in non-formal situations
• Involves 100% coursework

ASDAN Personal Progress Entry 1 is a qualification made up of units in the following areas: Literacy, Numeracy and IT; Independent Living Skills; Personal Development; Community Participation; Preparation for Work. the qualifications have been developed for children working towards and at Entry 1 to have their achievements recognised within a qualification framework. Each unit has a credit value (1 credit is equal to approximately 10 hours of learning). To achieve a qualification children must gain credits by completing their chosen units and providing clear evidence that they have met the full requirements of the unit.

Units can be built up in any combination to reach the total credit value required for a qualification.

• Children who accrue 8 credits will receive an Award qualification
• Children who accrue 14 credits will receive a Certificate qualification
• Children who accrue 37 credits will receive a Diploma qualification
• Children who accrue fewer than 8 credits will be awarded a unit certificate, provided they have met the full requirements of the unit(s)

NCFE is an organisation we have been affiliated with for many years. They offer excellent certificated qualification opportunities at Key Stage 4 through:

• GCSE Alternatives such as Sport and Health and Food and Cooking to Level 2.
• English and maths qualifications including Functional Skills to Level 2
• ICT and digital skills to Level 2

The Libra school is a registered examination centre consequently our children are able to sit a range of subjects at GCSE at Libra. The decision to undertake these qualifications is made in discussion with the child, the parents / carers and the teaching staff. The new format GCSEs with little or no coursework make these qualifications exceedingly challenging for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The pressure to complete the syllabuses and the amount of studying required to prepare for these examinations can result in significant anxiety. A great deal of communal thought has to be given to the emotional capability of the child to cope for what is at least 2 if not 3 years of consistent pressure. That’s not to say that we shy away from these qualifications, 2 children in our current Year 9 – 10 cohort are on a GCSE programme of study in English, Maths, and Science. These will be supplemented by NCFE Level 2 English and Maths qualifications.