Accredited Learning Pathways

Open Awards and City and Guilds qualifications

Ascent College is dedicated to providing expert specialist education to students with autism, our focus is upon achieving the very best outcomes. We support young people with autism to fulfil their own unique potential, we provide this through safe and nurturing education environments that meet the full range of young people’s needs.

Open Awards
Skills for travelling in the Community
E2 – E3

The primary purpose of the Open Awards Award and Certificate in Skills for Travelling in the Community is to recognise personal growth and engagement in learning and, specifically, to recognise your development of knowledge and/or skills to operate independently and effectively in life, learning and work. This qualification aims to give you the skills and knowledge needed to use public transport safely and to start to progress towards independent travel. If you are starting to think about travelling independently and want a good introduction to the skills required for this, then this qualification could be for you.

Essential Digital Skills for Work and Life
(Entry 3 – Level 1)

The qualification will teach you ICT skills you can use in daily life. It will help you to progress within your personalised pathway up to Level 2 Functional Skills in ICT. It could help you get a job or be a volunteer.

City and Guilds

English

Entry 1 – Level 2

This is taught across three years on a person-centred pathway.

The Awards and Certificates in English Skills (3847) have been developed to provide learners with a flexible approach to developing and demonstrating the skills in English which will enable them to build confidence and provide a foundation for further study towards a GCSE A*-C in English, a Functional Skill in English at level 2 or move into employment or higher level study.

The qualifications are available with different credit values to ensure learners have a highly flexible route towards these aims.  The qualifications are built by combining an appropriate blend of units which meet the needs of a learner.  The qualifications available at entry 1, entry 2, entry 3, level 1 and level 2 are:

• Single Unit Awards
• Certificate in English Skills

In addition, some learners may wish to focus on developing a discrete skill area, e.g. reading.  To meet this need, we have also developed a range of themed awards (6 credits) which cover each of the three skill areas in English at entry 1, entry 2, entry 3, level 1 and level 2.

• Award in English Skills – Reading
• Award in English Skills -Writing
• Award in English Skills – Speaking and Listening

City and Guilds

Maths

Entry 1 – Level 2

The Awards and Certificates in Mathematics Skills (3847) have been developed to provide learners with a flexible approach to developing and demonstrating the skills in Mathematics which will enable them to build confidence and provide a foundation for further study towards a GCSE A*-C in Mathematics, a Functional Skill in Mathematics at level 2 or to move into employment or higher level study.

The qualifications are available with different credit values to ensure learners have a highly flexible route towards these aims.  The qualifications are built by combining an appropriate blend of units which meet the needs of a learner.  The qualifications available at entry 1, entry 2, entry 3, level 1 and level 2 are:

• Single Unit Awards
• Certificates in Mathematics Skills

In addition, some learners may wish to focus on developing a discrete skill area, e.g. number.  To meet this need, we have also developed a range of themed awards (4-7 credits) which cover each of the three skill areas in Mathematics at entry 1, entry 2, entry 3, level 1 and level 2.

• Award in Mathematics Skills – Number
• Award in Mathematics Skills – Handling Data
• Award in Mathematics Skills – Measure, Shape and Space

Open Awards

Employability and Professional Development (RQF)

Courses from Entry 1 – Entry 3
Courses from Level 1 – Level 2

The primary purpose of the Employability and Professional Development qualification is to recognise development of employability skills and/knowledge. This qualification has been designed to either support students with their active search for employment or aid students in their professional development whilst in the workplace. The qualification addresses the increased demand, as an outcome of a changing economy and competitive global environment, for employees across all sectors to be proficient in the application of generic and transferable employability skills. The qualification will enable students to develop skills attributes, behaviours and values, which contribute to increased confidence and motivation and enable sustained and successful employment.

Employability units include those such as:

• Writing a CV and Cover Letter
• Preparing for Interviews
• Job Applications

Professional Development units include:

• Understanding appraisals and Target Settings
• Prioritisation Skills
• Managing Stress in the Workplace

What are the Progression Opportunities?

The qualification provides a mechanism for students to both support you in your aims of gaining employment as well as providing you with the skills and knowledge to progress professionally once in the workplace. Open Awards offer a range of qualification suites that you could progress to continue developing your employability skills. The progression routes will be decided with the student and staff after a thorough baseline assessment has been completed.

Access to Higher Education

The Open Awards Level 3 Access to HE (Higher Education) Diploma is a life-changing qualification specifically designed for adult learners, as an alternative route to A-Levels onto university degree courses. The Diploma is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), to ensure it meets rigorous quality requirements. The Access to Higher Education Diploma is equivalent to three ‘A’ Level and all of our courses carry a maximum of 144 tariff points. The number of tariff points you obtain will depend on the grades you receive for each unit.

Perhaps more than any other qualification, the Access to HE Diploma has the power to change lives.

Open Awards – Skills for Further Learning and Employment – Entry 1 to Level 2

The primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare the learner for further learning or training. This qualification offers a good starting point for vocational education and training. It offers a mix of personal development and employability skills alongside an introduction to a range of vocational sectors.

Pearson BTEC qualifications in:

Entry 2 Award/Certificate in Pre-Vocational Study

The purpose of BTEC Entry Pre-vocational Study qualifications is to support learners’ skill development in preparation for higher-level learning, therefore increasing opportunities for learners to progress. These qualifications are ideal for learners progressing to Pearson BTEC Entry level 3 to Vocational Study qualifications – links to units in the suite are signposted throughout. The qualifications are not designed to lead directly to employment but will provide for the development of transferable skills, which are valued by employers.

Entry 3 Award in Entry to Vocational Study
Level 1 Introductory Award in Vocational Study
Level 1 Introductory Certificate in Sport
Level1/Level 2 First Award in Sport

The purpose of BTEC Entry to Vocational Study and Sport qualifications is to support learners’ skill development in preparation for higher-level learning, therefore increasing opportunities for learners to progress. These qualifications are ideal for learners progressing to Pearson BTEC Level 1 Introductory qualifications. They are not designed to lead directly to employment but will provide for the development of transferable skills, which are valued by employers.

Level 2 Award/Extended Award in Work skills

The Pearson BTEC Level 2 Awards/ Certificate in Work skills are for learners who need to develop their skills and knowledge of employability to access the job market. The Pearson BTEC Level 2 in Work skills enables learners to:

• develop skills valued by employers and are in demand in the workplace
• develop knowledge related to employability and the workplace
• embrace the 21st century workplace and build a career plan
• achieve a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification that prepares them for employment or self-employment
• develop self-awareness of skills and knowledge and the ability to continually upskill to meet the changing demands of the workplace

Gateway Qualifications

A range of vocational qualifications at Entry 3 to level 1 in:

• Progression
• Business and retail
• Childcare
• Hair and beauty
• Hospitality
• Creative industries