Course Description:

This qualification has been developed to recognise student-teachers' abilities to teach and support learning in a post-16 context.  It has been designed to develop and accredit the breadth of knowledge and skills required by teachers to develop and manage learning programmes and undertake a high level of responsibility in managing the learning process.

It aims to develop student-teachers' skills and knowledge and to recognise their achievements in a practical way that is relevant to the work context and reflects the professional values of teachers in the FE environment.  The qualification has been designed to be context-free and, therefore, meets the needs of teachers working across all subject/vocational areas.

The qualification is unit-based.  In order to achieve an OCR Level 5 Certificate in FE Teaching Stage 3 student-teachers will be required to achieve all six units.

Aims

The qualification aims to:

• Develop student-teachers' understanding of the learning environment including the impact of external factors and the national context.
• Develop student-teachers' abilities to assess learners' needs and to provide support to learners throughout the learning process.
• Develop student-teachers' abilities to plan, deliver and evaluate learning programmes.
• Develop student-teachers' abilities to work with others in supporting learners.
• Develop student-teachers' commitment to professional values and to conforming to professional codes of practice.
• Develop commitment to reflection of practice and to continuous professional development.

Statement of Level

This qualification has been designed to accredit skills and knowledge at Lvel 5 of the National Qualifications Framework.  It has been designed to be equivalent in demand to the Certificate of Education awarded to teachers completing Initial Teacher Training and to NVQ Level 5 qualifications.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.  However, centres may wish to determine that anyone accepted on to this programme has:

• Relevant commercial/industrial experience of their vocational area.
• Up-to-date and relevant occupational or subject knowledge.
• Relevant qualifications at or above the level they will be teaching.
• The ability to work in an academic context at Level 5.
• The opportunity to carry out 120 hours of teaching to meet the teaching practice requirement.

Qualification structure and unit content

The qualification is made up of six units.  Student-teachers are required to complete all six units to achieve the full qualification.  The units of the qualification are as follows:

1. Preparing and Planning
2. Teaching Methods and Learning Strategies
3. Assessing Needs and Supporting Learners
4. Mearuring Achievement
5. Managing the Learning Process
6. Professionalism and Reflection on Practice

There are no requirements for student-teachers to work towards the units in any particular order.  However, given the developmental model of the programme, there is inevitable and necessary overlap between the unit content.

Progression

This qualification has been designed as the third and final stage of the qualification for teachers in further education.

It is anticipated that student-teachers who are successful in achieving this qualification will wish to undertake both formal and informal programmes of study to support their own continuing professional interests and needs.

If you would like any additional information about this qualification please feel free to contact one of the team on 0191 586 3355.