These case studies share the experiences, successes and lessons learned that colleagues and providers have acquired through LSIS funded action research projects to implement the QCF and the Foundation Learning Curriculum. They illustrate the rationale, planning and operational aspects and how the changes they have implemented have been received by their learners.
Aggregate Industries, a multi-national company working in the extractive, mineral processing and building materials sector, identified worked with a QCF consultant who understood the industry to develop relevant training and a QCF qualification to improve standards, reduce waste and to enhance performance and promotion prospects for employees. The units are now contextualised for the workplace and meet Aggregate Industries' own requirements in a way that the generic NVQs did not do.
Chesterfield College: Getting to grips with personalised learning
In the light of the increased flexibility provided by the QCF, the Sport and Public Service Directorate at Chesterfield College has revisited its recruitment, guidance and assessment processes to better identify individual’s needs and reviewed its curriculum for 2011/12 to offer individually designed programmes to meet those needs - programmes that are the right level and size to maximise learner success whilst offering stretch and challenge and supporting progression.
Supporting documents relating to the Chesterfield College case study can be found below:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Value Your Experience (PDF document, 666KB)
Interview advice guidance sheet (Microsoft Word document, 143KB)
Assignment QCF case study(Microsoft Word document, 178KB)
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports and Exercise Sciences (Microsoft Word document, 120KB)
Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network
The Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network (DSTPN) took part in a development project to identify the support required for those offering Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) support. The DSTPN is a not-for-profit network of providers offering training for adults and young people in Dorset and Somerset, formed in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council. The network exists to encourage collaborative working and allows partners to share resources and information.
Gloucestershire College: Maximising the QCF through a whole organisation approach
Gloucestershire College has taken a whole organisation approach to ensure all internal and external stakeholders have an awareness of the impact of QCF and how the reforms can facilitate change. Through the Unit Funding Trials they looked at how they could adapt their curriculum to meet learners’ needs and maximise the use and flexibilities of the QCF to bring in additional revenue and reduce reliance on public funding.
Highbury College is using the increased flexibility under the Qualifications and Credit Framework, or QCF, to design Foundation Learning programmes which are more personalised, to better engage NEETs, people who are not in employment, education or training. The video illustrates the risks and challenges of innovation, the impact on staff and the positive outcomes for learners
HTP: Individual learning plans, the QCF and work-based learning
The aim of this work was to: develop and individual learning plan to meet the needs of learners and employers on QCF-accredited programmes; increase learner and employer understanding of the flexibility within the QCF and encourage them to use it in partnership with the training provider.
Hull College: Implementing the QCF
Hull College have embraced the QCF and Foundation Learning at a strategic level and the case study explores some of the organisational challenges faced. Staff describe how the credit-based approach is enabling an increased focus on personalised learning with a strong emphasis on setting learners up to achieve. Lessons learned from the Foundation Learning trials have underpinned the wider college roll out of the programme.