Skills Challenge Certificate - Level 1 & 2

Course summary

Successful completion of the Skills Challenge GCSE qualification along with other supporting qualifications can lead to achievement of the overarching Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. The primary aim of the Skills Challenge is to enable learners to develop and demonstrate an understanding of and proficiency in essential and employability skills: Communication Numeracy Digital Literacy Planning and Organisation Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Personal Effectiveness The Skills Challenge is made up of the following components: Individual Project: 50% Enterprise and Employability Challenge: 20% Global Citizenship Challenge: 15% Community Challenge: 15% By adding personal development skills to academic study, the Skills challenge helps students to achieve more. It makes them better equipped for the world of work, better informed and more active citizens. Students will become better prepared for further and higher education, as well as employment. The Welsh Baccalaureate The requirements of both the Skills Challenge Certificate and Supporting Qualifications must be met in order to achieve the overarching Welsh Baccalaureate. The qualification has two levels: National - (completed in year 10 and 11) KS4 = GCSE A*-C Foundation - (completed in year 10 and 11) KS4 = GCSE D-G To achieve the National Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve the National Skills Challenge Certificate (A*-C) together with the following supporting qualifications: English/Welsh Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of 2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-C level. To achieve the Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate learners must achieve either the National or Foundation Skills Challenge certificate together with the following supporting qualifications: English/Welsh Language GCSE, Numeracy GCSE and 3 other GCSE’s (maximum of 2 being GCSE equivalent qualifications) at A*-G level. The Welsh baccalaureate is a stimulating qualification that adds a valuable new dimension to the subjects and courses already available to pupils. It combines personal development skills with existing qualifications, like A Levels, BTECs and GCSEs to make one wider award that is valued by employers and universities. A Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification is also proof that students have developed the Key Skills considered important by employers and universities. It also shows they have furthered their personal and social education, undertaken an individual project, become a global citizen and actively participated in a community project. The Skills Challenge and Welsh Baccalaureate Students will be aiming to achieve a GCSE grade in Skills Challenge along with the National Welsh Baccalaureate diploma at Key stage 4. Successful completion of the Skills Challenge and the National Welsh Baccalaureate will enable a pupil to pursue the advanced qualification at Key stage 5. For students hoping to continue their study in Whitchurch High School's Sixth Form, the Skills Challenge counts towards the entry requirement of a minimum of 6 A*-C GCSEs. We have worked to ensure that the Skills Challenge qualification will facilitate pupil progress at a pivotal time in their education. The structure for delivery of the qualification integrates well with the other courses that students opt to follow and provides greater opportunities for group and individual support. The selection of comments from our current and past students, universities and employers below should help to give you a flavour of why we consider this qualification to be so important and beneficial to our students: “A surprisingly enjoyable course which has given me skills to carry into sixth form and the workplace” “It helped build my confidence in working with others inside and outside of school” “I think the Individual project has really helped me to prepare for sixth form and University when I get there. I don’t feel scared about writing a dissertation now!” “To study Psychology at Exeter University I was offered 3 A’s at A-level or 2 A’s and the Welsh Baccalaureate at Advanced level.” Megan. “At my recent interview for college I was asked why I didn’t have the Welsh Baccalaureate diploma.” Owen. “The Welsh Baccalaureate bridges the gap between education and the world of work; it’s great to see young people developing more practical skills along with the theoretical skills. This will enable new employees to hit the ground running.” Grant Jones, Head of Human Resources, Perkin Elmer Ltd. “We welcome this qualification and accept the Core as having the recognised UCAS points. This applies across ALL of our Degree programmes, following acceptance by our Quality Assurance panel. Where individual programmes require specific course requirements then the University of Exeter will stipulate this within any given offer, usually in the form of A Level subjects.” Dr Pamela Hoad, Head of Admissions, University of Exeter" For further information, please contact: Mrs S Thompson (KS4 Skills Challenge Leader)