Entry Pathways Introduction to Science Today Brian Harris

Entry Pathways Introduction to Science Today Brian Harris, Subject Officer Feb 2012

Aims • To help teachers deliver new Pathways Entry specification • To improve learning outcomes by focusing on the quality of teaching and assessment • To help teachers plan and assess work • To explore how Entry Science Today and Pathways Level 1 Applied Science can work

Overview of qualification • Number of qualification titles at three different levels – Entry 1 – Entry 2 – Entry 3

Qualification titles at Entry 1 • Personal Progress • ICT

Qualification titles at Entry 2/3 Personal & Social Development Additional English Independent Living Welsh Preparing for Work Maths Science Today ICT Humanities Healthy Living & Fitness Creative, Media & Performance Welsh (Second Language) Arts

Size of qualifications • Three different sizes of qualification – Award (8 -12 credits) – Certificate (13 -36 credits) – Diploma (37+ credits)

Science Today qualifications Entry 2 Entry 3 Award Certificate Diploma 6004 A 2 6004 C 2 6004 D 2 6004 A 3 6004 C 3 6004 D 3

Unitised qualification • Allows flexibility • Enables teachers a learning programme to match learners needs/abilities • Some units can be used in more than one qualification • Link to Science Today unit titles

Units and qualifications

Qualification and units Learner 1 Unit Entry level Credits Introduction to Plant Care E 2 3 Introduction to Land Maintenance E 3 3 Introduction to Animal Care E 3 3 Over 50% of credits are at Entry 3. Therefore qualification at E 3 9 credits therefore qualification size =Award Pathways Entry 3 Award in Science for Today

Qualification and units Learner 2 Unit Entry level Credits Introduction to Plant Care E 2 3 Introduction to Land Maintenance E 3 3 Introduction to Animal Care E 3 3 Science and our Universe E 2 3 Science and the Human Body E 2 3 Science and the Plant World E 3 3 50% of the credits are at Entry 2. Therefore qualification at E 2 18 credits therefore qualification size = Certificate Pathways Entry 2 Certificate in Science for Today

Science Today • No compulsory units • You can use any science units to build your qualification • Science units available from webpage http: //www. wjec. co. uk/uploads/publications/13719. pdf • Document available on website mapping units to the programme of study http: //www. wjec. co. uk/uploads/publications/14157. pdf

Assessment and Moderation • Units internally assessed • Work must be internally verified where there is more than one assessor • Records of internal verification are kept • Work is externally moderated • Sample sent to WJEC but all learner work must be available, if required

The role of the Internal Verifier • Check that all tasks cover the assessment criteria and learning outcomes • Ensure that the assessment criteria are covered and there are no added requirements for the candidates • Ensure all Assessors have copies of the assessment forms • Sample Assessor judgements at appropriate times • Co-ordinate meetings of Assessors • Give and record feedback to Assessors • Maintain records of the evidence sampled More detail can be found on page 13 of specification

When to submit work for moderation. • Moderation points – January – Summer • Do not have to wait until learner has completed the qualification before submitting a unit for moderation

Unit and qualification entry • Entry for individual units must be made by submitting the relevant unit and option code • Aggregation does not take place automatically: it is necessary to enter the relevant ‘cash-in’ code for aggregation to take place.

Rules concerning aggregation Quote from specification page 10. • Units achieved may be used for re-aggregation for a larger qualification. However, units can only be used if and when included within the qualification. • For example, having achieved 8 credits for an Award in Independent Living and subsequently completed sufficient further units, a candidate may include the credit from the Award for aggregation towards a Certificate in Independent Living. • For example, credit at Entry 3 for Introduction to Animal Care used for aggregation to an Award in Preparing for Work can be re-used for aggregation to a Certificate in Science Today.

Achievement and Attainment Tables (AATs) Minimum Credits Required Performance Points Award Entry 1 8 or more Credits 5 Award Entry 2 8 or more Credits 6 Award Entry 3 8 or more Credits 7 Certificate Entry 1 13 or more Credits 10 Certificate Entry 2 13 or more Credits 12 Certificate Entry 3 13 or more Credits 14 Diploma Entry Level 1 37 or more Credits 40 Diploma Entry Level 2 37 or more Credits 48 Diploma Entry Level 3 37 or more Credits 56 Qualification Grade