WBQ Foundation Diploma - a briefing session

Berni Tyler, Foundation Level Development Officer, presented the content of the WBQ Foundation Diploma at a briefing session at Llandrindod Wells on 5th April, 2005.

To download Berni's summary of the briefing event in pdf format,click here.

She described the foundation diploma as the base which supported intermediate and advanced levels. A foundation WBQ student would be any student between 14 - 19, working predominantly towards Level 1 qualifications as part of their learning pathway (level 1 being GCSE D-G, or any substantial level 1 qualification within the NQF).

For more on Selecting the Diploma level, click here.

She drew delegates' attention to the University of Bath's analysis of critical success factors for the Welsh Bac, namely:

• approaching the WBQ as a whole through integrated structures,
• working smarter,
• the teaching, learning, assessment and evaluation processes.

The importance of tutoring was highlighted as the key to success for WBQ students. It was recommended that students receive one personal tutorial of half an hour every half term plus additional support for example through group tutorials.

Options could be drawn from a range of courses, for example:

• NVQ level 1
• BTEC introductory diplomas or certificates
• GCSE programmes
• GCSE resits
• OCN units

For more on vocational qualifications and the Core, click here.

As for Key Skills, students would be expected to achieve four of these, at least one being from Communication, Application of number and ICT. However, there should be evidence that all six were being followed. Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number could be replaced by Basic Skills at Post 16.

The Individual Investigation would be a personal project, involving at least twenty hours work, and presented in a way that suited the learners.

For more about ways of presenting the Individual Investigation, click here.

Work Related Education would comprise fifteen hours of enterprise activities based around Problem Solving, Working with an Employer (pre 16) for 30 hours, Work-related Activities (post 16) for 30 hours.

Wales, Europe and the World would be refocused to provide a relevant programme for Foundation Diploma students. A language module (20 hours) would be included. Four elements would be studied for a further 60 hours:

• politics
• economic issues
• social issues
• cultural issues
• PSE and community participation

At pre-16, PSE was a statutory requirement. Themes and issues would be based around the KS4 curriculum (30 hours). There would be fifteen hours of community participation with the school as the ‘community’.

Post-16, PSE would be based around the KS4 curriculum. Again, there would be fifteen hours of community participation.

For more on how a linking theme can be used to integrate several aspects of the core, click here.

Assessment

The Core Certificate at level 1  would demand:

• four key skills at level1, which must include one from Communication, Application of number and ICT, and evidence of having followed all six
• verification and evaluation reports for Working with an Employer, Team Enterprise activity and Community Participation.
• Individual Investigation at level 1
• Completed diary record

Options would be taken from a wide range of qualifications, for example:

• NVQ level 1
• BTEC introductory diploma
• Four grades D-G at GCSE or equivalent

Gavin Thomas, Work-related Education Adviser, referred to the 14 - 19 Learning Pathways agenda in Wales. He referred to the Foundation WBQ as a wonderful opportunity to create a ladder of progression. Now there would be a choice of ability level at each point and a means of deciding whether the foundation of intermediate level would be most suitable. The Welsh Bac had to sit within the context of the National Curriculum - a great challenge to centres.

Click here for more  on Learning Pathways.