Meeting The Skills AgendaJeff Moses

Wednesday, 4 July 2007

‘ We do not have qualifications deficits, we have skills deficits’.

Ken Boston, Chief Executive, QCA

Skills At the Forefront

• Key Stage 3 – too academic

• Key Stage 4 – poor attainment rates

• Key Stage 5 – too narrow

The Challenge Ahead

• To create a learner-centred school system that better recognises the different learning needs of our young people. McGowan

• Schools must continue to develop as learning environments not teaching environments. Leitch

• Provide engaging, stimulating, and flexible learning programmes and pathways. ‘Vision Into Action’

• ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change’

Charles Darwin; Theory of Evolution

Skills and HE – The Future

• Critical thinking• Autonomous Learning Skills• More Reflective Learners• Skills not a volume and content-led curriculum• Key Skills as the driver for developing inter

personal skills• Curriculum breadth

Dr Hywel M. DaviesHead of Admissions and RecruitmentUniversity of Wales, Aberystwyth

Target 2012

• 15-year-old pupil – The average points score per 15-year-old pupil for all qualifications

approved for pre-16 use in Wales to improve year on year– The percentage of 15 year olds achieving the equivalent of GCSE

grade A* to C to reach 60% by 2010 (2007 milestone 53%)– By 2010, no pupil to leave full-time education without an approved

qualification

• 16-18 year olds. - The percentage of 16-18 year olds in employment, education or

training to reach 93% by 2010 (2007 milestone - 90%)

• 25 year olds. - 95% of young people, by the age of 25, to be ready for high skilled

employment and/or further or higher education by 2015

Vision Into Action

Growth in Key Skills in Wales

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

Year

Num

ber

of A

war

ds

Working With Others 1

Problem Solving 1

Improving Own Learning 1

Information Technology

Application of Number

Communication

Students view of Key Skills

Source: Greatbatch, David, Wilmut, John and

Bellin, Wynford. External Evaluation of Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Pilot, University of Nottingham, published August

2006.

The Journey Ahead

• In groups identify where ……. school should be in 2012 to meet these challenges– Skills based curriculum– Raising achievement levels– Achieving demand based learning

• Focus on one of the following:– Key Stage 3– Key Stage 4– Key Stage 5

WBQ

Widening participation and entitlement

Challenging entrenched thinking/parochialism

Promoting learning by doing and transferable skills

Developing critical thinking skills - PS & IOLP

Extending individual Learning Pathways

THE WBQ AND THE SKILLS AGENDA

Curriculum breadth

KS4 WBQ CORE KEY STAGE FOUR OPTIONS

WJEC LEVEL 1 Welsh Baccalaureate Foundation Diploma

Core Certificate at level1 Four key skills at level 1, which must include one from the ‘first three’ I.e. Communication, AON and ICT, and evidence of having pursued all six key skills Work Related Education, Team Enterprise Activities and Community Participation. Produce a short Individual Investigation from topics already included in the Science programme.NVQ Level 1 and other GCSE courses.

Four grades D-G at GCSE or equivalent

FOUNDATION 14-16 BAC. SUMMARY

KS4 WBQ CORE KEY STAGE FOUR OPTIONS

WJEC LEVEL 2 Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate

Diploma

Core Certificate at level 2 Four key skills, two at level 2, and two at level 1,including the first three i.e. Communication, AON and ICT. There must be evidence of having pursued all six key skills. Team Enterprise, Citizenship and Community Participation.Individual Investigation at level 2.Other minimum requirements: English, Mathematics, Science (single), P.E. + Religious Education, Work-related Education, Careers Education and Guidance, PSE and Sex Education.

Learners require at least four GCSE grades A* - C to be accredited with the Diploma.

INTERMEDIATE WBQ SUMMARY

THE WBQ AT KEY STAGE FIVE

WELSH BAC.CORE ACCRUES

WJEC LEVEL 3

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma

Core Certificate at level3 Six Key Skills , three at level 3, one at least from - Communication, AON and ICT, with the other three key skills at level 2. Work Related Education, Team Enterprise Activities and Community Participation, Language Module. Produce a succinct Individual Investigation or project from the Wales, Europe and the World segment.Two GCE Advanced Levels.

GCE Grade A+ 120 UCAS Points

Wales, Europe and the World

Carousel programme ( 5 X 1 hour sessions) delivered by subject specialists. Small teaching groups – informality.

Other inputs such as guest speakers, whole cohort debates, organised visits and student exchange programmes, e-learning projects – e.g. I-EARN

THE FIVE ELEMENTS:

1) Political issues

2) Social challenges and responses

3) Heritage cultural perspectives

4) The impact of economic and technological change

5) PSE Issues such as – positive relationships, good health, active citizenship and global sustainability.

Individual Investigation titles and themes derived from GCE and Intermediate Level programmes

The Language Module Weekly 30 minute whole cohort on-line sessions in ICT rooms. Link in to on-line diary.

Problem Solving Whole cohort sessions linked to Higher Education choices. Can be done after June AS exams and finished November.

WBQ Diaries Regular tracking and monitoring by Year 12 Tutors. Student finds the evidence for all the components such as the ‘Work Related Journal’. Intranet raises quality of outcomes, diversity, monitored, efficient for updating.

Work Related Education Self-arranged and mainly drawn from existing part-time work.

IOLP into Options Portfolio evidence generated from AS level option programmes. Aims and specific targets confirmed with subject specialists. Training and organisational implications are significant.

Community Participation - Duke of Ed., e-learning projects, Sports Leadership, concerts/performances, .

‘WORKING SMARTER, NOT HARDER’

WBQ CORE Four Term Teaching Programme Core Enrichment Opportunities

Six Key Skills 60 Hrs (Main Key Skills predominantly integrated in English, Welsh, Mathematics, ICT & Science (Problem Solving) IOLP from selected GCSE Options.

WWO – whole cohort programmes such as ‘Sports Leadership’ and transition projects.

Wales, Europe and the World + Language Module

60 hrs – 75% all elements taught via 1 hour weekly group mentoring programme on carousel cycle.

(The impact of economic and technological change element via GCSE Science).

Language Module

20 hrs – MFL. Supplemented by online programme.

The Individual Investigation

Theme based on Sustainability issues via Science – bank of titles. Assessment by Science Faculty.

Integrated into GCSE Science.

Work Related Education

Team Enterprise + work placements

15 hrs

Existing Work Placement programme

30 hrs

PSE Programme Mentoring groups (30 hours) WBQ Diaries - Mentors

Example: Intermediate WBQ plan

Vision into Action - IOLP

Implement revised curriculum and assessment arrangements to further raise standards, skills and personal development

Assessment for learning emphasis:Active involvement of students in their own learning

Raise standards of attainment

Recognition that assessment has profound impact on the motivation and self-esteem of young people – two crucial influences on learning

Impact positively on teachers’ teaching and students’ learning

Strengthen the embedding of key skills through collaborative student centred learning

Mapping

• Whole school approach required

• Identify appropriate and manageable opportunities for evidence across full range of courses

• Some programmes of study can contribute more to specific key skills than others. For instance, History linking well with aspects of Communication or Science with Problem Solving

• Critical that teachers and their students understand fully Part A before selecting opportunities to evidence Part B

Death By Mapping!

MAPPING ACROSS THE OPTIONS

C3.1aTake part in a group discussion

Topic Focus DateGeography – role of government in planning and housing policy

Jan. 08

HSC - Healthy lifestyle debate Dec. 07

History – Nazi Racial Policy Feb. 08

Iaith Gyntaf – Discuss Siwan and other contemporary poets

Nov. 07

Chemistry – Elements of Life debate Nov. 07

Business – Government servant or master?

Feb. 08

LEVEL THREE COMMUNICATION

C3.1b

Make a formal presentation of at least eight minutes, using an image or other support material.

WBQ Individual Investigation:

Biology: Causes of different cancers in Wales

MFL: ‘Wales, one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe’.

ICT: How ICT has changed the way we work.

Spring 2008

History: The role of women in National Socialist Germany.

Mathematics – Newton and the Law of Motion.

D&T – Project design brief presentation.

Travel & Tourism – Customer Care

LEVEL THREE COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE WBQ CORE AND OPTIONS

EMBEDDED LEVEL THREE ICT MODEL IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

ICT

Component

Assignment

3.1

Search for information using different sources and multiple search criteria in at least one case.

Unit 3

Research immunisation against diseases

3.2

Enter and develop the information, and derive new information

Unit 3

Development of immunisation report.

3.3

Present combined information such as text with image, number and image with number.

Unit 3

Report on immunisation against diseases.

COMBINED LEVEL THREE ICT, COMMUNICATION & IOLP

AN IOLP CASE STUDY

APPROACH Derive IOLP from specific A/S

subjects IOLP Coordinator and Team Train Heads of

Faculty/Department specialists and Form Tutors

Train subject specialists Identification of specific and

meaningful learning targets within programmes of study

Balanced workload strategy I.e. shared distribution of students across subjects to avoid overload

Agree timeline for implementation Agree portfolio assessment

calendar

IMPLEMENTATION Students acquire grasp of IOLP

(Part A) in weekly 30 minute sessions.

Focus on issues such as learning styles and techniques

Identify learning skill weaknesses Student chooses subject for IOLP

focus in conjunction with subject tutor

Aim & targets agreed. Deadlines set (3/4 months)

Targets incorporated within student learning programme

Assessment and Internal Verification

Level Three IOLP Subject Specific Targets

IOLP AIM: To improve in Unit HI3

Target 1: Raise performance in single and multi-source assignments.

Target 2: Develop and demonstrate active learning techniques during lessons.

Target 3: Improve source interpretation skills

1. Quality of management

2. High quality tutorial support and teaching

3. Effective provision of Key Skills

4. Sound curriculum planning/organisation

Critical Success Elements

MANAGEMENT

Proactive Leadership

Regular WBQ management meetings

Effective communications links

Commitment to WBQ principles and programme/s

Efficient systems

EFFECTIVE TUTORIAL SYSTEM

Small tutorial groups work best

Sufficient contact time built into programme from outset – do not compromise. A worthwhile investment!

Meaningful tutorial sessions

Key Skills that are taught well

Articulate Welsh Bac. students

High quality staff inputs to Core

Ongoing staff CPD

Tailored curriculum planning

KEY SKILLS

Raising provision and quality of delivery

Comparisons with national results

Purposeful/meaningful key skills assignments

Considering what was taught at earlier Key Stages and avoiding repetitive practices

Ensuring that students are proficient at Part A of the key skills standards before embarking on portfolio building

Curriculum collaboration to reduce assessment burden

Effective mapping

Regular meetings

CURRICULUM PLANNING

Ensuring continuity and progression opportunities for all learners

Including WAG priorities within the WBQ programme e.g. healthy lifestyles, extending international links – iEARN DYSG Learning Circles for WBQ centres 2007/08.

Ensuring that learners are not faced with the same activities at Key Stages Three, Four and Five

Awareness of completion levels

For Information

Jeff Moses

Key Skills and WBQ Project Officer

Dysg, Department for Education Lifelong Learning and Skills, WAG

11 Ty Nant Court,

Morganstown,

Cardiff CF15 8LW

Tel: 02920 820 350

Jeff.moses@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Key skills support programme: www.dysg.org.uk