Qualification Guide - opencollnet.org.uk

O p e n C o l l e g e N e t w o r k W e s t M i d l a n d s Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s i n

F o r e s t S c h o o l

Qual i f i cat ion G u i d e

‘Passionate about enabling learning and releasing the potential of people and their communities’

Open College Network West Midlands is a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications. We work in partnership with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation to help learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education.

Why choose us?

Outstanding personalised customer service and support

Proven expertise in developing vocational qualifications and creditbased learning

Responsive and flexible qualification development service

Diverse range of qualifications

National accreditation, local service

Quality assurance, enhancement and improvement services

Competitive and transparent pricing

Charitable organisation with ethical and sustainable business practices

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Contents

1. Qualifications in this suite 1

2. About the qualifications 1

3. Who the qualifications are for 4

4. Achieving the qualifications 5

5. The units 6

6. Assessment 10

7. Offering the qualifications 11

Open College Network West MidlandsQualifications in Forest School

Appendix A 14

Appendix B 15

1.Qualifications in this suite

Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Introduction to Forest School Principles - 600/8151/X

Open College Network West Midlands Level 2 Award in Forest School Programme Support - 600/8152/1

Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership - 600/8153/3

2. About the qualifications

The Open College Network West Midlands suite of Forest School qualifications provides the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for learners to take part in Forest School activities.

The Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Introduction to Forest School Principles provides learners with an introduction to the Forest School ethos and learning in the outdoors.The Open College Network West Midlands Level 2 Award in Forest School Programme Support provides learners with the skills required to support Forest School Leaders when conducting Forest School outdoor programmes and activities.

The Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership enables learners to gain the skills and knowledge required to plan and lead groups in Forest School Programmes and activities.

The Open College Network West Midlands suite of Forest School qualifications have been developed with the support of the Forest School Association. These qualifications are also supported by LANTRA, the UK's Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries.

Achievement of the Level 3 Certificate will enable organisations aiming for the Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge or the yellow LOTC mark for schools to meet requirements for these quality standards.

Relationship with National Occupational Standards

The Open College Network West Midlands suite of Forest School qualifications are related to a number of National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Tree Work developed by LANTRA. They provide knowledge, understanding and skills development that underpin occupational competence in the Forestry sector. The Level 3 qualification is also related to National Occupational Standards in Playwork that provide skills development in working with children and young people.


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Objectives of the qualifications:

These qualifications are designed to enable learners to experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of their learning and personal development. These objectives are in correspondence with the guidance outlined in The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto 2006.

These qualifications can be used flexibly to meet learner needs. Depending on the context of the learning and the needs of each individual learner, the qualifications can:

Level 1 Award

lprepare learners to progress to a qualification in the same subject area but at a higher level or requiring more specific knowledge, skills and understanding;

lencourage engagement in learning;

lsupport a role in the workplace.

Level 2 Award


lprepare learners for employment;


Level 3 Certificate


lprepare learners for employment;



The qualifications are designed to enable learners to:

develop an understanding of the principles and ethos of Forest School;

gain skills and learning of life in the outdoors;

prepare learners for further study and employment in the outdoors;

gain continuing professional development;

become a Forest School Programme Leader.

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It is a requirement that assessment of these qualifications is conducted in English.

The Open College Network West Midlands Forest School qualifications are accredited by Ofqual.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

The guided learning hours for the qualifications are:

Level 1 Award: 25 Level 2 Award: 48 Level 3 Certificate: 96.

Progression opportunities

These qualifications are designed to enable learners to progress to higher levels of study in the same broad subject area. This suite of qualifications also provides learners with a platform for progression into employment opportunities, employment as a Forest School Leader or into further areas of study such as:

lFoundation Degree in Environmental Conservation Management

BSC Rural Land Management

Forestry and Arboriculture Courses


Other qualifications leading to teaching and training in the formal and informal educationsectors.

Guided Learning Hours are defined as the number of hours of supervised or directed study time required, on average to achieve a unit or a qualification. It includes activities where the tutor interacts directly with the learner and is directly accessible to the learner. ('Tutor' includes: teachers, tutors, assessors, lectures, teaching assistants, or any other person qualified to support the learning activity).

In the context Forest School qualifications GLH may comprise time spent in: induction activity that is specific to the learning programme; formal learning activities such as classes, lectures, teaching or training sessions, coaching, seminars, individual or group tutorials; individual e-mail, telephone or face to face supervision, support and advice related to achieving the qualifications; supervised assessment activities in the woods or in the workplace.

Some learners will be able to achieve units and qualifications in a shorter time than indicated. Others, for example those with additional support requirements, may need longer.

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3. Who the qualifications are for

These qualifications are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of learners who wish to develop knowledge in this subject area.

The Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Introduction to Forest School Principles is designed to meet the needs of school and college students, young people, offender learners, teachers, head teachers, helpers at Forest School and others with an interest in working in the outdoors.The Open College Network West Midlands Level 2 Award in Forest School Programme Support is designed to meet the needs of school and college staff, youth workers, parent helpers, students, and others in providing preparation for further development and study to becoming a Forest School Leader.The Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership is designed to meet the needs of teachers and teaching assistants, adults and professionals in training as a Forest School Leader in order to progress to employment or further study.

Entry requirements

The minimum age for access to these qualifications is:

Level 1 Award: 14 years Level 2 Award: 16 years* Level 3 Certificate: 19 years**.

Learners with particular requirements

Assessment within the Open College Network West Midlands Forest School qualifications is designed to be accessible and inclusive. The assessment methodology is appropriate and rigorous for individuals or groups of learners.

If you have learners with particular requirements you should refer to the Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy, available from Open College Network West Midlands. This gives clear guidance on the reasonable adjustments and arrangements that can be made to take account of disability or learning difficulty without compromising the achievement of the assessment criteria.


*Please note, however, that the Forest School Association recommends a minimum age of 18, asthis is the recommended minimum age for Forest School Programme assistants.

**Please note that the minimum age for Forest School Leaders is 21. This is a Forest School Association and Department for Education requirement.

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4. Achieving the qualifications

Rules of combination

Centres are responsible for ensuring that courses are designed so that learners are able to achieve the qualification for which they are aiming. Courses must allow for a sufficient number of credits to be achieved, and must meet the specific rules of combination that apply to each qualification.

To be awarded the Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Introduction to Forest School Principles, the learner must achieve 3 credits.

To be awarded the Open College Network West Midlands Level 2 Award in Forest School Programme Support, the learner must achieve 6 credits.

To be awarded the Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership, the learner must achieve 18 credits.

Unit achievement

All of the assessment criteria in a unit must be met before the unit is deemed to be achieved. The unit achievement is not graded: units are either achieved or not achieved.

Recording achievement

You must record each learner’s performance in each unit on an appropriate form or forms. The form/s should record the learner’s performance against the unit assessment criteria evidenced by the task.


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5. The units

Level 1 Award


Title Level Credit GLH Unit code Unit reference number

Introduction to Forest School

Principles1 3 25 SG1/1/NQ/001 J/504/7405

Title Level Credit GLH Unit code Unit reference number

2 3 24 SG1/2/NQ/001 Y/504/7408

Skills for the Forest School Programme

Assistant

2 3 24 SG1/2/NQ/002 D/504/7409

Supporting Learning and

Development at a Forest School

Programme

Level 2 Award

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http://www.opencollnet.org.uk/documents/Units/SG11NQ001.pdf




Title Level Credit GLH Unit codeUnit reference

number

3 3 15 SG1/3/NQ/001 H/504/7413Delivery of a

Forest School Programme

3 6 30 SG1/3/NQ/003 K/504/7414

Learning and Development at a Forest School

Programme

3 3 15 SG1/3/NQ/004 M/504/7415Planning a


3 3 18 SG1/3/NQ/002 A/504/7417

Forest School Programmes & the Woodland Environment

3 3 18 SG1/3/NQ/005 T/504/7416

Practical Skills for a


Level 3 Certificate

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Level descriptors

The level of the units within these qualifications has been determined with reference to the QCF

level descriptors.


Level Summary Knowledge and Application and Autonomy andUnderstanding Action Accountability

Achievement at Level 1 reflects the ability to use relevant knowledge, skills and procedures to complete routine tasks. It includes responsibility for completing tasks and procedures subject to direction or guidance.

1 Use knowledge of facts, procedures and ideas to complete well-defined, routine tasks.

Be aware of information relevant to the area of study or work.

Complete well-defined routine tasks.

Use relevant skills and procedures.

Select and use relevant information.

Identify whether actions have been effective.

Take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures subject to direction or guidance as needed.


Achievement at Level 2 reflects the ability to select and use relevant knowledge, ideas, skills and procedures to complete well-defined tasks and address straightforward problems. It includes taking responsibility for completing tasks and procedures and exercising autonomy and judgment subject to overall direction or guidance.

2 Use understanding of facts, procedures and ideas to complete well-defined tasks and address straightforward problems.

Interpret relevant information and ideas.

Be aware of the types of information that are relevant to the area of study or work.

Complete well-defined, generally routine tasks and address straightforward problems.

Select and use relevant skills and procedures.

Identify, gather and use relevant information to inform actions.

Identify how effective actions have been.

Take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures.

Exercise autonomy and judgment subject to overall direction or guidance.

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Extracted from ‘Regulatory arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework’, Appendix E, Ofqual, 2008


Achievement at level 3 reflects the ability to identify and use relevant understanding, methods and skills to complete tasks and address problems that, while well defined, have a measure of complexity. It includes taking responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures as well as exercising autonomy and judgment within limited parameters. It also reflects awareness of different perspectives or approaches within an area of study or work.

3 Use factual, procedural and theoretical understanding to complete tasks and address problems that, while well defined, may be complex and non-routine.

Interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas.

Be aware of the nature of the area of study or work.

Have awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.

Address problems that, while well defined, may be complex and non-routine.

Identify, select and use appropriate skills, methods and procedures.

Use appropriate investigation to inform actions.

Review how effective methods and actions have been.

Take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures, including, where relevant, responsibility for supervising or guiding others.

Exercise autonomy and judgment within limited parameters.

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6. Assessment

The qualifications require achievement of the specified units with no further requirements for additional/summative assessment. Achievement is therefore determined by successful completion of unit assessment. The assessment process is as follows:

Assessment methods

When delivering Open College Network West Midlands units and qualifications, Centres may choose from a range of assessment methods. It is important that the most effective and appropriate methods are selected. We therefore strongly advise that all those involved in assessment and internal quality assurance of these qualifications refer to the Open College Network West Midlands Centre Handbook and our Assessment Methods publication. These provide guidance on the range of assessment methods available and the types of evidence appropriate for each. These publications are available on our website, www.opencollnet.org.uk.

It is important when devising assessments to differentiate between the assessment method (what the learner is asked to do) and the evidence (what the learner produces).

When designing any assessment method, tutors or assessors will need to consider the presentation of the assessment task to the learner to make it fair and accessible. Tutors or assessors may also need to consider arrangements for learners with particular learning difficulties and will need to be aware of Open College Network West Midlands' policy on reasonable adjustments.

All proposed assessment tasks must be checked and confirmed as appropriate, fair, valid and reliable by an appropriately qualified and experienced Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) before being issued to learners.


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Assessments are internally set and approved at the Centre by assessors, against therequirements detailed in the assessment criteria of the unit.

The learners are assessed internally at the Centre, using the assessments set.

The resulting portfolios of assessed evidence are internally quality assured by an InternalQuality Assurer (IQA) at the Centre.

The portfolios of assessed evidence are quality assured either by an Open College NetworkWest Midlands Quality Adviser (QA) or, for Centres with Direct Claims Status, an InternalQuality Assurer (IQA) approved by Open College Network West Midlands.

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7. Offering the qualifications

Centres wishing to deliver these qualifications will need to demonstrate the ability to deliver including adherence to quality assurance and assessment regulations.

All procedures for the use of these qualifications or units of these qualifications, including approval, registration of learners, verification and certification will be completed through Open College Network West Midlands, who will have an identified officer to support your Centre. If you have any queries or difficulties at any time you should contact the Open College Network West Midlands office.

Approval to offer the qualifications

Centres wishing to offer these qualifications must note the requirements stipulated in Appendix A of this guide.

To gain approval to offer the qualifications Centres must submit an Approval to deliver an Open College Network West Midlands qualification and units of an Open College Network West Midlands qualification form. This is available as a printable hard copy in Appendix B of this guide. It is also available as an e-form on our website: navigate to ‘Qualifications’ and then ‘Forest School’.

If you are an Open College Network West Midlands Recognised Centre and you wish to add these qualifications to your curriculum offer please also complete and submit an Open College Network West Midlands New Course Notification Form. This is available to download from our website. The form should be forwarded to Open College Network West Midlands for approval.

If you are not an Open College Network West Midlands Recognised Centre and you wish to offer the qualifications, please consider applying for Centre Recognition with us. To start the application process email [email protected] or telephone 01902 624 239.

For more information visit ‘Becoming a Centre’ on our website.

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Standardisation

Standardisation is a process that promotes consistency in the understanding and application of standards.

It is a requirement of the Centre Recognition Process that each Centre offering units from Open College Network West Midlands qualifications must contribute assessment materials and learners’ evidence for standardisation if requested.

Open College Network West Midlands will notify Centres of the required sample for standardisation purposes. Assessment materials, learners’ evidence and tutor feedback will be sent to Open College Network West Midlands by Centres.

Outcomes from standardisation will be available to Centres through Open College Network West Midlands.

Support for Centres

Open College Network West Midlands provides all of our Centres with on-going support and advice on the use of Open College Network West Midlands units and qualifications, including the requirements for assessment.

If Centres approved to offer Open College Network West Midlands units and qualifications have obtained a UKPRN (UK Provider Reference Number) from the UKRLP (UK Register of Learning Providers), this will be used as the Centre Reference Number. If a Centre has not obtained a UKPRN they will be issued with a unique Open College Network West Midlands Centre Number.

Information about obtaining a Unique Learner Number (ULN) on behalf of the learners is included in the Open College Network West Midlands Centre Handbook.


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Standardisation:

establishes statements on the standard of evidence required to meet the assessmentcriteria for the units in Open College Network West Midlands qualifications;

makes recommendations on assessment practice;

produces advice and guidance for the assessment of units;

identifies good practice in assessment.

Centre responsibilities

Each Centre should identify a Centre Contact who will be responsible for Open College Network West Midlands provision within the Centre.

The Centre Contact must ensure all procedures relating to the delivery of the qualifications operate effectively in the Centre.

The Centre Contact is the person responsible for confirming and ensuring that the Centre meets all the Open College Network West Midlands requirements for Centre Recognition.

The Centre Contact is responsible for ensuring all relevant Open College Network West Midlands documentation is distributed as required within the Centre and that the security requirements for external assessment are adhered to, where applicable.

The information provided in this qualification guide is accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Open College Network West Midlands will occasionally update qualification

information, so please refer to the ‘Open College Network West Midlands Qualifications’ page of our website to view any updates, and the latest versions of our qualification guides.


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Appendix A – Requirements to offer the qualifications

To offer these qualifications, Centres must ensure that tutors delivering these qualifications:

have a teaching or training qualification such as a Level 3, 4 or 5 Education and TrainingQualification, PTLLS (or equivalent);

have Level 3 Forest School Leader accreditation;

have a minimum of 2 years of experience, post qualification, leading Forest School with atleast one long term (i.e. through the seasons) programme;

have a First Aid qualification of at least 16 hours in duration and which includes an outdoorelement.

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In addition, the Head of Centre, Centre Contact or Curriculum contact must:

inform Open College Network West Midlands of any changes in staffingassociated with the delivery of these qualifications.

authorise delivery of the Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership;


Approval to deliver an Open College Network West Midlands qualification or units

Please return to [email protected]

Name of Centre:

Qualification title:

Accreditation number:

Centre officer responsiblefor this qualification:

Position:

Tel: E-mail:


I agree to Appendix A - Requirements to offer the qualification

Please complete the box below and send form to Open College Network West Midlands at [email protected]


I have read and agree to the above conditions in order to deliver this qualification.

Centre officer responsible for this qualification:

(Signature)

Name:(Print)

Position: Date:

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Qualification NumbersLevel 1 Award: 600/8151/X Level 2 Award: 600/8152/1Level 3 Certificate: 600/8153/3

v12 April 2016

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Email: [email protected] Web: www.opencollnet.org.uk

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Qualification Guide - opencollnet.org.uk