2. IntroducingOCR Nationals Anne Brennan & Heidi Smith Professional Officers Vocational Assessment 23 September 2004

3. OCR Nationals • Developed to meet the demand for vocational qualifications • Primarily aimed at candidates 16+ in full-time education but may suit candidates pre-16 and adults • Designed to reflect the learning styles and assessment needs of candidates • Available at Levels 1-3

4. Level 1

5. Levels 2 and 3

6. Qualifications available • Level 1 National First Award 4 units (120 glh) • (30 glh) National Award 8 units (240 glh) • National Certificate 12 units (360 glh) • Level 2 National Certificate 6 units (360 glh) • (60glh) • Level 3 National Certificate 6 units (360 glh) • (60glh) National Diploma 12 units (720 glh) • National Extended Dip 18 units (1080 glh)

7. Structure - Level 1

8. Structure - Levels 2 and 3

9. Features • Guided learning hours - 60 per unit (30 glh at Level 1) • Units may be delivered and assessed in any order • All units centre-assessed and externally moderated • Visiting moderation • Flexible delivery

10. Features • Unit entry and certification • Candidates can be registered at any time during the year • Work-related, activity approach to learning • Evidence generated through practical activities • Opportunities to link evidence/learning to other areas • such as Key skills and national occupational standards

11. Grading • Unit grade • Pass 1 point • Merit 2 points • Distinction 3 points • Qualification grade (aggregation of points) • Level 1 • Qualification Pass Merit DistinctionFirst Award 4 points 7 points 9 points Award 8 points 13 points 19 point Certificate 12 points 20 points 28 point • Levels 2 and 3 • Qualification Pass Merit Distinction • National Certificate 6 points 10 points 14 points • National Diploma 12 points 20 points 28 points • Extended Diploma 18 points 30 points 42 points

12. Funding • Listed on Section 96 (under 19)/Section 97 (over 19) • LSC and ELWA • Funding for Levels 2 and 3 in line with that offered for similar qualifications from other awarding bodies

13. Performance Measures • Phase 1 and Phase 2 report • QCA website www.openquals.org.uk • Comparability

14. UCAS tariff • OCR has made a formal submission to UCAS so that the OCR Nationals suite can be considered for inclusion in the tariff • OCR is confident that the OCR Nationals will attract points that reflect their size, breadth and level and show their comparability to other vocational qualifications already incorporated in the tariff. We expect an announcement of the tariff in December 2004

15. Nationals support available • Visiting moderation visits • 2 per year - includes moderation and advice • additional (chargeable) visits available • Publications • Tutor’s handbook, Administration Catalogue (A28) • OCR Training • training courses available on planning and delivering Nationals • Support material for OCR Nationals • OCR produced support packs (Levels 2 and 3 available Autumn 04) and support materials from external publishers • E-community • http://community.ocr.org.uk/lists/listinfo/nationals-community

16. Where can I find out more ? • Operations Support Team - centre approval and certification queries • Tel: 024 76 470033 Fax: 024 76 468080 • Regional Support • Centre Advisors based at Regional Offices and Business Development Managers • Information bureau • Tel: 024 76 851509 Email: ocrnationals@ocr.org.uk • OCR Nationals Team (Vocational Assessment) • technical specification or assessment content queries