1. Entry Level
Occupational Studies
Agreement Trial

2. for work - through work - about work!
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Occupational Studies
LEARNING
for work - through work - about work!
Out of school context
Hands-on approach
Develop skills in a practical, occupational environment.
Occupational Studies is both coherent and flexible and provides a good foundation from which to advance to competence-based post-16 courses.

3. Occupational Studies The world of work is constantly changing.
It’s now uncommon for a person to have only one occupation throughout their working life…
It’s uncommon for a person to have only one occupation throughout their working life.
So being able to transfer and adapt our knowledge and skills through our careers has never been more important.
Transferring and adapting knowledge and skills is vital!

4. Aims and Learning Outcomes
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Aims and Learning Outcomes
To facilitate learning in a practical situation
To motivate learners
To develop employability skills
To prepare learners for working and adult life
To provide progression to higher learning
To co-teach alongside occupational studies level 1/2
The aims and learning outcomes for Entry Level Occupational Studies are:

5. Special Schools/Post-Primary/FE
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Target Audience
Key Stage 4
SEN
Low ability
Special Schools/Post-Primary/FE

6. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
Entry Level Standards
This level recognises and builds on basic knowledge, understanding and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision.
This is an opportunity to provide further guidance on the revised specification and to discuss exemplar
support materials provided and for us to also to listen and take feedback and where necessary make adjustments.
Coursework: 20% & 40% 6

7. 17 occupational areas 51 unit titles
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Draft Specifications
17 occupational areas
51 unit titles

8. Subject areas are as follows:
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Subject areas are as follows:

9. Entry Level Descriptors
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Entry Level Descriptors
Entry 1
Recognises progress along a continuum that ranges from the most elementary of achievements to beginning to make use of skills, knowledge or understanding that relate to the immediate environment.
Entry 2
Reflects the ability to make use of skills, knowledge and understanding to carry out simple, familiar tasks and activities with guidance.
Entry 3
Reflects the ability to make use of skills, knowledge and understanding to carry out structured tasks and activities in familiar contexts, with appropriate guidance where needed.

10. Photographs – Written Evidence – Posters – Mind Maps – Presentations
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Assessment
Moderation takes place in May of the academic year. Entries should be made for the Spring series (March series).
Methods of Assessment
Learners must complete a portfolio of work to show how they have met the assessment criteria for each unit. Teachers can choose any assessment method or combination of methods that clearly demonstrates the learner has met the assessment criteria and achieved the learning outcomes. These methods may include, for example:
Photographs – Written Evidence – Posters – Mind Maps – Presentations
Storyboards – Screenshots – Videos – Witness Statements – Models – Leaflets

11. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
Structure contd.
120 GLH (20 hrs/unit).
6 units for Occupational Studies qualification. ‘Spikey’ profile. Overall award based on level they are mostly working at.
12 units (i.e. 6 additional units) for Extended Occupational Studies qualification.
Availability of 3 similar units which can be delivered by tutor/teacher with specific skill set.
A basis to progress either horizontally or vertically to other relevant qualifications at Entry level and beyond.

12. Reporting and Awarding
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Reporting and Awarding
Learners will be awarded Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
Work which does not meet Entry level 1 requirements will not be awarded a level. The CCEA will report this result as unclassified (U).

13. The Portfolio of Evidence
Each unit must contain the following:
Evidence of knowledge and understanding (AO1)
This may take the form of written answers to questions or, where appropriate, a record of oral responses to questions. It must cover the range of knowledge and understanding set out in the unit content.
Evidence of application of knowledge, understanding and skills (AO2)
Teachers must assess all activities to occupational standards by observing learners’ performance in practical tasks.
Evidence of evaluation of their work (AO3)
Learners should carry out a review for each assessment task within each unit. It should summarise their performance and indicate how they could make improvements. They should also present an end-of-unit review.
A record of all the assessment evidence
The record indicates where each piece of assessment can be found.
Evidence in portfolios may be written, photographic, audio or video recorded.

14. Evidence of knowledge & understanding
AO1
Evidence of knowledge & understanding
Written answers to questions; or
A record of oral responses to questions (if appropriate)
Evidence must cover the range of knowledge and understanding set out in the unit content.
All sections of the specification must be covered. Candidates must meet the specification criteria in ALL areas of the specification for an overall EL1, EL2 and EL3 unit award.

15. Evidence of the APPLICATION of knowledge & understanding
AO2
Evidence of the APPLICATION of knowledge & understanding
Teachers/Lecturers must assess all activities to occupational standards by observing the learners' performance in practical tasks.
All sections of the specification must be covered. Candidates must meet the specification criteria in ALL areas of the specification for an overall EL1, EL2 and EL3 unit award.

16. Evidence of reviewing learning
AO3
Evidence of reviewing learning
Reviews on each assessment task within each unit required.
Reflective statements that review performance and indicate how improvements could be made.
End-of-unit review required – reflecting new level of knowledge and understanding in the specialist area and the impact it may have on career progression and opportunities.
All sections of the specification must be covered. Candidates must meet the specification criteria in ALL areas of the specification for an overall EL1, EL2 and EL3 unit award.

17. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
Internal Assessment
Assessors must have the appropriate skills and knowledge to assess learners’ work for a unit.
They must also:
Be able to authenticate the work as the learners’ own;
Ensure that learners have met all the assessment criteria in order to achieve a unit;
Keep accurate records of all assessment decisions.
Teachers assess learners as having achieved or not achieved each unit.

18. Assessment Arrangements
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Assessment Arrangements
Portfolio based
Internal assessment – no examination
Externally moderated
Achieved/Not Achieved. All assessment objectives required to achieve award.
Flexible assessment evidence, e.g. poster, discussion, photographs, voice recordings, web screen shots

19. Instructions to Teachers
Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial
Instructions to Teachers
Teachers must carry out Internal Standardisation – Declaration of Internal Standardisation form (TAC2) must be submitted for each unit.
Sample sizes:
Number of Candidates Entered
Sample sent for Moderation
Up to 10 candidates
All candidates
11 or more candidates
10 candidates

20. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
Internal Assessment
Individual portfolios of evidence must be submitted by each candidate for EACH unit taken;
There is no need for a diary;
Each unit must have a separate AO1. The evidence should not be identical across units;
Outcomes should be awarded by level and not by mark;
All sections of the specification must be covered for a unit award;
For an overall EL3 unit award, candidates must meet the specification criteria for EL3 in ALL areas of the specification. This also applies to EL2 and EL1 unit awards;
Photographic evidence should be for individual candidates and must be annotated relating directly to the specification requirements;
Portfolio structure must be in order of AO1, AO2 and AO3;
Individual Learner Tracking Grids should be completed and attached to the front of candidate portfolios.
Please ensure that when submitting portfolio evidence for moderation that the following are adhered to:

21. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
This year we had 779 entries which was slightly down on last year. There were 51 Units for Entry Level and this year 36 Units were studied including Bench Joinery, Technology & Design, Horticulture, Office Procedures, ICT, Drama, Music, Creative Crafts and Catering.
The most popular units were in Horticulture and it was pleasing to see an increase in numbers in Technology and Design.

22. Entry Level Occupational Studies Agreement Trial 2018-19
External Moderation
Centres must submit assessment outcomes and samples to CCEA according to the calendar of events set out in the Qualifications Administration Handbook, which can be accessed at

23. Contact Information
Education Manager: Dawn Agnew
: Ext (2445) :
Subject Support Officer: Nuala Tierney
: Ext (2292) :