Subject Head: Angie Cadwallader
Contacts: acadwallader@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk
KS4 Unit Award (Certificated)
Specification: Units are available to view on the AQA website under “Programmes” and then the Unit Award Scheme.
Course outline/what should students expect of the course?
The Unit Award Scheme has been offered by the AQA exam board as a way of recording student achievement in completing units of study tailored to their individual learning needs. It has proved successful in enabling students to move on to:
· further study
· training
· employment
· independent living
The UAS has proved to motivate, encourage, engage, support and raise self-esteem and can reward achievement which might otherwise go unrecognised.
Students will study a range of units chosen in discussion with a trained Co-ordinator who runs and is responsible for UAS. Each UAS unit clearly sets out what the student has to do to achieve and the evidence needed.
There is no examination for this course. Each time a unit is achieved, a Unit Award Certificate is issued. This lists all the outcomes, ie all the knowledge, skills and/or experiences completed as detailed on the unit. Certificates are usually issued promptly within 10 working days. They don't show a level - UAS is not a qualification - but instead show the detail of what the student has achieved in completing the unit. They provide a great talking point for the learner about what they've done, eg during an interview for a college place or employment.
This is good progression to an apprenticeship in Land-Based Studies or a further Level 3 Horticulture course at Cirencester, Hartpury, Sparshalt or Lackham Colleges. Work experience and employment opportunities are available at Lechlade Garden Centre.