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

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

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

Qualification Grading P M

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

Essential documentation Declaration of Authentication Internal Assessment Grade Sheet

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.

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.

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.

Sharing good Practice VTCT forums Discussion pages Keeping in touch

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)

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

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