1. Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ)
Establishing the Standards

2. AM20530 - VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy (VRQ)
601/0556/2
120 GLH
Worth one subject in new accountability measures
Four of six units to be achieved

3. Assessment Structure Understanding the hair and beauty sector
Unit number and title
GLH
Internal/External Assessment
Mandatory units
Understanding the hair and beauty sector 30
Externally set and marked examination
Hair and beauty research project
Externally set, internally assessed and externally moderated assignment
Optional units
Enterprise in the hair and beauty sector
Marketing hair and beauty products and services
Hair and beauty science
Responding to a hair and beauty design brief

4. Qualification GradingP M

5. September - re-sit window
Key Dates
2 x submission windows
January and June
September - re-sit window

7. On-line & on-screen submission
It is expected that all exams will be taken on-line
All assignments will be electronically uploaded to VTCT for on-screen marking

8. Overview of controls The specification requires assessment controls
HIGH CONTROL set out in detail, with very limited or no room for variation
MEDIUM CONTROL specified in terms of parameters, that allow some variation to suit local circumstances and opportunities
LIMITED CONTROL outlined in units and associated guidance, to allow consortia to take responsibility

9. Externally assessed units
VTCT will set, assess, mark and grade external examinations.
Marks and grades will be determined by VTCT against predefined mark schemes.
Marks and grades will be communicated directly to centres

10. Internal assessment will be:
VTCT devised
Changed annually
Internally marked
Internally moderated
Externally moderated

11. Grading internally assessed units
Each internally assessed unit has grade descriptors that centres must use to judge the quality of learner work
In order to arrive at a grading decision for the unit as a whole.
The grade descriptors are hierarchical – a learner can achieve a merit grade only if they provide sufficient evidence for all pass and merit descriptors.

12. Assessors must first make a judgement on whether the evidence produced by learners sufficiently meets all pass descriptors.
If so, they can then move on to and assess whether all merit descriptors have been met.
If the assessor is confident that all the merit descriptors have been met, they can then decide if the distinction descriptors have been met.

13. The grade descriptors have been produced to specifically build up from the previous grade’s descriptor.
Learners must achieve all descriptors at a given grade to be awarded that grade within the given unit.
Learners who fail to meet all pass descriptors will be awarded a Not Yet Achieved grade.

14. Pass
(All Pass descriptors must be achieved to be awarded a Pass grade)
Merit
(All Pass and Merit descriptors must be achieved to be awarded a Merit grade)
Distinction
(All Pass, Merit and Distinction descriptors must be achieved to be awarded a Distinction grade)

15. Learning outcome 1 - Understand how to plan a research project in hair and beauty
Outline the types of hair and beauty projects
Describe specific examples of hair and beauty projects that could be undertaken
Explain the importance of the factors that must be considered when planning a hair and beauty research project 1b
Outline the factors that must be considered when planning a hair and beauty research project
Describe the factors that must be considered when planning a hair and beauty research project

16. Moderation To ensure consistency in the application of the mark scheme
The moderator’s brief is to ensure that the assessor’s decision is sound and consistent across the unit and the standards of the VTCT specifications have been met

17. External moderation sample
For the first submission centres will be required to submit a 100% sample
Subsequent submissions will be ‘risk rated’

18. Selection of external moderation sample
At each unit the sample will be communicated once the Centre has sent their grade submissions to VTCT.
The sample will represent a variety of grades (pass, merit, distinction)
The sample must include the range of assessors
Selection of external moderation sample

19. Archive work and comparability
Comparing current learners’ work with archive work which has an assessment commentary attached, teachers/assessors will be able to make valuable and informative comparisons.

20. Essential documentation
Declaration of Authentication
Internal Assessment Grade Sheet

21. Feedback
The work assessed must be solely that of the learner concerned. Any assistance given to an individual learner, which is beyond that given to the group as a whole, must be recorded by the teacher on the Internal Assessment Grade Sheet and be made available to the internal moderator.
This should be included in any submission to VTCT.

22. Revision, re-working and interim review of learners’ work
Learners may make amendments to their work in the light of feedback from their teacher provided that this feedback is in line with the requirements of the specification. Learners must not be allowed to make amendments after the work has been submitted for the final assessment by the teacher/assessor.
This should be made clear to VTCT.

23. What is acceptable feedback?
It is acceptable to give formative feedback before summative judgements are made on assessments.
One single draft may be submitted and learner receives constructive but not directive feedback before final submission
Feedback will be limited to a list of evidence which is missing or indication of mark band level, this will be recorded and reported with the scripts.
If unsuccessful the learner may retake/resubmit the assessment for a unit but within a different window.

24. Sharing good Practice
VTCT forums
Discussion pages
Keeping in touch

25. Practical alongside theory
Running a practical/technical qualification alongside
This way both learners and the school benefit
Technical qualifications include:
VTCT Level 1 Award in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector (QCF)
VTCT Level 1 Certificate in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector (QCF)
VTCT Level 1 Diploma in an Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector (QCF)
VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Beauty Services (QCF)
VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hair and Beauty Services (QCF)
VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Hairdressing Services (QCF)

26. Support Exams & Assessment specific – exams@vtct.org.uk
Training events -
Specifications -
Examination registrations and entries
Moderation and examination -
Ashley Barnes –
Nicky Ward -

27. The future foundation offer...
Progressive route from Entry 3 to Level 4
Entry Level – Working on self
Level 1 – Working on blocks/peers
Level 2 (Trainees) – Working on peers
Level 2 (full) – clients
Level 3 – clients
Progression ‘issues’ will be eliminated
Simplified, non-subjective grading approach