Who is it for?

This qualification is for trainee teachers and teachers.

You must have a placement (either as a volunteer or as a member of staff) in a school environment. It is not a strict requirement,  but it is recommended that the placement should be for the duration of the qualification, as these qualifications are for the members of the school workforce who directly support or are involved in the teaching and learning of pupils.

Content

To obtain the NCFE Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training qualification (QCF qualification number 601/1621/3) you must achieve a minimum of 36 credits: 21 from the mandatory units and a minimum of 15 from the optional units. At least 21 credits must be at or above level 4. There are 37 optional units but initially iQualify UK will deliver the unit on ‘Teaching in a specialist area’ as it has the widest appeal and is 15 credits at Level 4, and so fulfils the requirement for credits and levels.

Mandatory Units:

• Understanding roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code H/505/0053)
• Delivering education and training (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code M/505/0122)
• Using resources for education and training (3 credits, Level 4, QCF code L/505/0127)
• Assessing learners in education and training (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code F/505/0125)
• Planning to meet the needs of learners in education and training (3 credits, Level 4, QCF code A/505/1189)

Optional units:

• Assess occupational competence in the work environment (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code H/601/5314)
• Assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code F/601/5319)
• Develop and prepare resources for learning and development (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code A/502/9547)
• Develop learning and development programmes (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code M/502/9545)
• Engage learners in the learning and development process (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code F/502/9551)
• Engage with employers to develop and support learning provision (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code Y/502/9555 )
• Engage with employers to facilitate workforce development (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code D/502/9556)
• Identify individual learning and development needs (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code K/502/9544)
• Identify the learning needs of organizations (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code H/502/9543)
• Internally assure the quality of assessment (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code A/601/5321)
• Manage learning and development in groups (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code A/502/9550)
• Understanding the principles and practices of externally assuring the quality of assessment (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code F/601/5322)
• Understanding the principles and practices of internally assuring the quality of assessment (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code T/601/5320)
• Analyzing English language for literacy and language teaching (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code J/503/4850)
• Reading skills for literacy and language teaching (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code R/503/4852)
• Speaking and listening skills for literacy and language teaching (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code D/503/4854)
• Writing skills for literacy and language teaching (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code K/503/4856)
• Using mathematics: personal and public life (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code A/503/4859)
• Using mathematics: professional and vocational contexts (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code F/503/4863)
• Using mathematics: academic subjects (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code T/503/4861)
• Action learning to support development of subject specific pedagogy (15 credits, Level 5, QCF code M/503/5376)
• Action research (15 credits, Level 5, QCF code T/503/5380)
• Assessment and support for the recognition of prior learning through the accreditation of learning outcomes (6 credits, Level 3, QCF code F/505/0187)
• Delivering employability skills (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code M/505/1089)
• Developing, using and organizing resources in a specialist area (15 credits, Level 5, QCF code H/505/1090)
• Effective partnership working in the learning and teaching context (15 credits, Level 4, QCF code Y/503/5310)
• Equality and diversity (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code Y/503/5789)
• Evaluating learning programmes (3 credits, Level 3, QCF code K/505/1091)
• Inclusive practice (15 credits, Level 4, QCF code L/503/5384)
• Preparing for the coaching role (3 credits, Level 4, QCF code J/505/0188)
• Preparing for the mentoring role (3 credits, Level 4, QCF code L/505/0189)
• Preparing for the personal tutoring role (3 credits, Level 4, QCF code T/505/1093)
• Principles and practice of lip reading teaching (12 credits, Level 4, QCF code L/504/0231)
• Specialist delivery techniques and activities (9 credits, Level 4, QCF code R/504/0229)
• Teaching in a specialist area (15 credits, Level 4, QCF code J/505/1096)
  This unit is provided when the qualification is studied with iQualify UK
• Understanding and managing behaviours in a learning environment (6 credits, Level 4, QCF code Y/505/1099)
• Working with the 14-19 age range in education and training (9 credits, Level 4, QCF code D/505/1105)
• Managing behaviours in a learning environment (6 credits, Level 5, QCF code M/505/3912)

Download the full Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training – Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria (November 2015)

Entry requirements

This is a competence based qualification so there is a requirement for assessment in a real work environment. You must therefore have a placement (or employment) in a school environment.

All trainee teachers joining this qualification programme must have sufficient skills in English, mathematics and ICT.

What is included?

Training to suit you

You may be familiar with traditional distance learning courses, but this innovation adopts a new generation methodology. You will benefit from a suite of online resources and tools that deliver your programme of study using the very latest in interactive technology. Selecting our courses will enhance the quality of your training. The extra school based contact will promote a more a consistent training experience and facilitate your transition from trainee to effective classroom practitioner.

Subject knowledge

Our courses will enhance your level of subject knowledge prior to teaching in the classroom. You will be given access to a personal learning pathway that includes core resources in your specialist subject together with optional resources. Subject knowledge resources will include our bespoke interactive video lectures and associated resources.

24/7 support and guidance

We realize that busy lives can often mean out of hours study and for this reason we offer 24/7 first line support. The 24/7 support has typical turnaround times of less than 15 minutes and 90% of queries are dealt with by the support team without referral. Should your enquiry require redirecting to one of the tutor team, this will be conveyed to the appropriate member by the support team.

School-based training

We will work with your school to negotiate a partnership and develop your bespoke learning pathway.

A personal dedicated tutor

You will be able to communicate with your dedicated tutor in a number of ways including Skype, email, online forum, telephone and face to face if it is geographically feasible. You can also request a tutorial. In addition to this, your tutor team will be able to track your progress using our secure online system which enables the implementation of appropriate strategies to provide assistance in any area of need. This enables us to identify and meet any additional training needs.

Quarterly seminars

A team in the UK will conduct quarterly seminars, workshops and knowledge based lectures at key selected locations.

Aims

This qualification develops practical teaching skills and, through optional units, prepares you to work in a wide range of contexts. It requires observation and assessment of practice.

It can meet the needs of a range of trainee teachers, including:

• individuals who are not currently teaching and training but who can meet the practice requirements, including the observed and assessed practice requirements, of the qualification.
• individuals who are currently teaching and training (including those who have just begun teaching and training) who can meet the practice requirements, including the observed and assessed practice requirements, of the qualification.
• individuals currently working as Assessors who wish to achieve a teaching qualification.

How do I study and how long does it take?

This is a blended learning programme with a minimum of 140 and a maximum of 204 Guided Learning Hours, which should normally take around six to nine months to complete. The online element is delivered through our Teaching Zone.

How is it assessed?

You are required to create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates achievement of 100% of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each unit. The main pieces of evidence for the portfolio could include:

• assessor observation – completed observational checklists and related action plans
• witness testimony
• candidate’s proof of work
• worksheets assignments/projects/reports
• record of professional discussion
• record of oral and written questioning
• candidate and peer reports
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)