Access Bulletin 5 Spring 2009

Access Bulletin 6 Summer 2009

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Welcome to the first OCNEMR AVA Access to HE Bulletin – a termly publication designed to update those involved and interested in Access to HE provision across the region.

Contents

• Regional Developments
• Unit Review
• GCSE Equivalence
• QAA Common Credit Framework
• Access to HE Diploma
• Review Process
• Review Schedule
• GCSE Equivalence
• Differentiation – grading
• Marketing and Publicity
• Events
• Quality - standardisation
  

Regional Developments
In order to standardise provision, and simplify the process of development and revalidation for centres, the AVA has embarked on a scheme of regional, “Off the Shelf” (OTS) developments. The submission document: the Learning Programme Plan (LPP) for these programmes, along with the Achievement Specifications (or rules of combination for achievement of the programme) has been approved by full Access to HE Recognition Panel. In order to adopt them, centres must complete the LPP, providing centre details and, in signing, agree to “own” the contents and meet the requirements.

All programmes contain the common core of:
A suite of 10 hour Study Skills units* at levels two and three from which centre may select
IT level two* – centre may select
GCSE Equivalence: English, Maths, Science (where appropriate).

Access to HE Diploma Programme*
This programme was recognized in May in preparation for the Access to HE Diploma in 2008. It is available to providers as an “of-the-shelf”, overarching programme into which the centre may import its chosen pathways. Six centres are delivering the new Access to HE Diploma programme for the coming Academic year. It will cover the period of transition to the CCF/Diploma and beyond.

Access to Health and Social Care Framework*
Pathways:

• Nursing (Diploma)
• Nursing (Degree) and Midwifery
• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Social Work
  

Access to Counselling*
This OTS vocational programme allows infill-delivery with Humanities and Social Sciences having Psychology, Sociology and English Literature components. One centre is delivering this new programme in 2006-7.

Access to Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Framework
Pathway: Travel and Tourism
It is intended to add Hospitality, Leisure and Recreation Pathways to the existing pathway recognised in May this year.

Developments for the future:

• Interior Design
• Educational Careers
• Business/Social Enterprise
• Occupational Therapy Pathway
  

Your comments and suggestions would be welcomed. Please email marj.hammon@ocnemr.org.uk

Unit Review
Following the merger of the two AVAs (NEMOCN and OCNSEM) it is the new AVA’s intention to review and revise the whole Access to HE unit bank – a daunting prospect but with a worthwhile outcome. The process began in July with Human Biology* and will continue until all subjects have been reviewed and an OCNEMR Access Credit Framework of best-practice units exists. Those units that are not accepted into the framework will be deleted one year following review. Psychology and Sociology will be the subjects to be reviewed this term.

If you are a specialist in either subject and would like to join the work party for one day, please email marj.hammon@ocnemr.org.uk

GCSE Equivalence Review

Maths*
The units and Guidance Booklets have been revised and circulated to all centres. Only the new units are to be used this year.

English
Units and Guidance Booklet will be reviewed during the course of the year. The revised units will be available for 2007-8 and the old units will be made obsolete.

Science
Units and Guidance Booklet will be reviewed during the course of the year. Any revision will reflect the recent changes in the GCSE Syllabi. The revised units will be available for 2007-8 and the old units will be made obsolete.

QAA Common Credit Framework
For the history and origins of the above, please see the documents relating to:
QAA Access Development Project recommendations 2004
DfES response
Consultation document and Report 2005

All on QAA website: www.qaa.ac.uk/access

Access To HE Diploma
Development work for the past year has focused on preparing for the Access to HE Diploma and its implementation. (see Regional Developments). As you are no doubt aware, Access to HE providers will be required to implement the Access to HE Diploma with its total of 60 credits with at least 45 @ level three and the remainder at level two and other changes, from 2008-9. The AVA will manage this by a systematic review of all provision and transfer to regional programmes.

Review Process

• meetings with the BDM-A (one per programme and pathway, initially)
• a review of provision as a whole
• a review of subject choice in each pathway
• a review of unit choice within each subject area
• a review of each unit chosen
  

Review of Regional Programmes - Achievement Specifications
Whereas all the new programmes meet the requirements of the CCF/Diploma the way that the credit tariff is expressed in the ACHIEVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS may exceed 60 credits with at least 45 at level three. These will be fully revised before 2008-9. This arrangement is to allow a period of transition during which HEI admissions tutors will be informed about the CCF requirements, the Access to HE Diploma and its credit tariff.
See also GCSE Equivalence below.

GCSE Equivalence
In July this year, QAA published a guidance document for the approval and use of GCSE equivalent qualifications in programmes leading to the Access to HE Diploma. To appreciate provider and student responsibility it is important to read the document on the QAA website: www.qaa.ac.uk/access/recognition/gcseequivalence.asp

In essence, the document states that AVAs may work with local HEIs to develop “GCSE-Equivalent” units/qualifications to meet needs, but “there can be no guarantee that these qualifications will be accepted unless an HEI¹ explicitly makes such a guarantee.”
¹this includes individual ITT providers.

Implications for the Diploma include devising ways in which GCSE/equivalence can be offered within the approved programme of study even though they may not be part of the Access qualification. Three models of provision are offered:

• GCSEs required on entry
• One GCSE equivalent via the taught Access to HE programme and within the required achievement for the Access to HE Diploma. Additional GCSE equivalence will be achieved outside the Access to HE Diploma. (Diploma plus)
• GCSE/equivalence will not be a requirement of entry, nor will it be part of the Diploma programme. All achievement will sit outside the Diploma. (Diploma PLUS)
  

Thanks to the financial sponsorship of Aimhigher, 22 May saw the launch of the Leicestershire Access to HE Directory – a beautifully-illustrated and user-friendly glossy booklet providing information to potential students about Access and the QAA approved courses available throughout Leicestershire. This useful IAG tool provides the prospective student with all the information they need about Access to HE. A directory covering the whole region will be available for the academic year 2007-8.

Review Process

• meetings with the BDM-A (one per programme and pathway, initially)
• a review of provision as a whole
• a review of subject choice in each pathway
• a review of unit choice within each subject area
• a review of each unit chosen
• subject to and aided by unit review for AVA Credit Framework as outlined above.
  

• Where a centre has a programme due for review in the year 2006-7, all the Access provision for that centre will be reviewed in that year.
• All other centres will undergo review in the year 2007-8.
• If a centre wishes to review their provision a year early, the Business Development Manager – Access will endeavour to accommodate and support them.
  

Programme Manager Forum
These Access to HE Business Meetings will be held termly to review AVA policy procedures and practice. The forum will consist of Provider Programme Managers (one representative from each organisation) and AVA staff.

Practitioner Forum
Networking events for those involved within the delivery and assessment of Access to HE programmes. The meetings will involve the dissemination of information, administration of AVA policy and the sharing of good practices.

Access to HE Annual Conference – 11 October 2006
Theme: Access to Higher Education Qualification Development: Challenges and Opportunities.

Programme: to be posted on this website.
- a balance of key speeches and workshops.
There will also be a drop-in surgery with OCNEMR Operations and Quality staff for people needing information and answers to questions.

To be Arranged
- meeting for new pathway coordinators/programme leaders.

There will be two standardisation events for OCNEMR in 2006-7.
Attendance: at least one tutor/assessor per centre with samples of assessed work.
Please see letter from Quality Department for details of requirements or email: margaret.williams@ocnemr.org.uk

Three new units have been added to the 10 hour Study Skills suite. They will be available on the this website in September:
•   Group Work
•   Examination Skills
•   Equal Opportunities

* ALL PROGRAMMES (LPPs and ACVHIEVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS) plus identified units * ARE AVAILABLE AS DOWNLOADS FROM THE OCNEMR WEBSITE FROM MID-SEPTEMBER.

For more information, please visit the NOCN Website.