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 2
Award
Certificate
6004A2
6004C2
Entry 2
Entry 3
Entry 3
Diploma
Award
Certificate
6004D2
6004A3
6004C3
Entry 3
Diploma
6004D3
Unitised qualification
• 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
E2
3
Introduction to Land Maintenance
E3
3
Introduction to Animal Care
E3
3
Over 50% of
credits
are at Entry 3.
Therefore
qualification at
E3
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
E2
3
Introduction to Land Maintenance
E3
3
Introduction to Animal Care
E3
3
Science and our Universe
E2
3
Science and the Human Body
E2
3
Science and the Plant World
E3
3
50% of the
credits
are at Entry
2. Therefore
qualification
at E2
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