Education

Many of our college partners provide programmes of study in childcare and early years education. Building Pathways has been working with these partners to ensure progression routes into Education degrees are flexible and clear, especially for those learners undertaking Higher Nationals in Early Years Education. We have therefore been active in a number of different projects linked to programmes in Sheffield Hallam University's School of Education.

Project outcomes:

• To develop flexible progression routes from college-based Higher National programmes to degrees in Education

Building Pathways has been involved in a long-term project with partners which has mapped and articulated college-based Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Early Childhood Studies with degrees in early years education, and other non-qualified teacher status programmes, at Sheffield Hallam University. We have also worked to map programmes against Qualified Teacher routes in the School of Education.

This work has resulted in new admissions criteria for entry into the second or third year of degree programmes. The work also incorporates admission criteria for learners who have completed the Cache Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education. The detail of the specific entry criteria from partner colleges to the SHU programmes is available in the guidance document.

• To review the training needs of employees working in childcare settings

This was a small project undertaken by Dearne Valley College which reviewed the training needs of local employees. The aims were to communicate with local employers and to produce an information pack of programmes available in the college. Details on the project can be obtained from Morag Walder at Dearne Valley College on 01709 513333.

• To develop a bridging programme for learners from NVQ 3 programmes progressing to Higher Education programmes

This project has involved a number of college partners, with pricipal partners being Rotherham College of Technology and North Nottinghamshire College. The project initially mapped the contents of the NVQ programmes against the HNC in Early Childhood Studies and evaluated the deficits faced by NVQ learners on entry to the HE programme. It became apparent that the vocational work-based learning only provided underpinning knowledge of the vocational area. NVQ students may have a deficit in their academic skills and therefore do not cope well with the academic demands of the HE programme.

As a result, college partners, in association with the Open College Network, have developed a short programme of Study Skills Units designed to bridge the gap between the NVQ and the HNC. The units covered by the programme allow learners to develop and demonstrate their skills in reading, writing and research at Level 3. The programme is now available in some colleges and is a registered programme with the OCN. Details of the NVQ Bridging Programme can be found below.

• Routes for Classroom/Teaching Assistants into Higher Education

Building Pathways is working with Sheffield Local Education Authority and college partners on this project to research the experiences and qualifications of classroom assistants (CAs) and ascertain their interest in progressing into Higher Education programmes. Following initial research, the aim is to identify the main routes for progression, offer advice and guidance on the routes and support HE applications. Any gaps in provision of service to support the progression of CAs will be identified and recommendations made for the LEA to develop future training programmes. The work is one part of a larger series of activities being developed by Sheffield Hallam University's School of Education and the LEAs in the South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire region. This is in response to DfES initiatives relating to classroom assistants' education and learning needs.

PROGRESSION AGREEMENT guidance document (word)

PROGRESSION AGREEMENT guidance document (pdf file)

NVQ Study Skills Bridging Programme to Higher Education (word)

NVQ Study Skills Bridging Programme to Higher Education (pdf file)