The document outlines changes to entry-level qualifications introduced in January 2019, including the addition of new qualifications and updated units. It emphasizes the need for a distinctive entry-level offering that meets the needs of learners and provides flexibility while also maintaining quality assessment practices. The implementation timeline indicates that new qualifications will be available for planning by March 2019 and roll out from September 2019, with existing qualifications phased out by July 2021.

1. Changes to Entry level
qualifications
Ruth Perry
January 2019

2. Purpose of Webinar
• To inform you of changes to our
Entry level suite of qualifications
• new qualifications
• additional units
• refreshed units
• To alert you to new and planned
support for your Entry level provision

3. • Part of our quality assurance cycle
• SEND reforms now bedded in
• New Ofsted Education Inspection Framework on its way
Key question: are our Entry level qualifications still fit for purpose?
The purpose of our review of Entry level
qualifications

4. What were we trying to achieve?
• A distinctive Entry level offer that meets learners’ and providers’
needs
• Content that supports preparation for adulthood
• Structures that enable flexibility and personalisation
• Assessment and quality assurance mechanisms that encourage
creativity, facilitate active learning, minimise burden for centres and
put the focus on what learners can do

5. What research have we undertaken?
• Focus group including different provider types, working with
range of Entry level learners
• Conversations with individual centres
• Analysis of data on qualification take-up and unit usage
• Analysis of feedback from our development team and our
EQAs
• Analysis of Ofsted reports, including inspection evidence
relating to high needs provision

6. Key findings
• Centres wanted us to retain Entry 1 and Entry 2 qualifications, as well
as those at Entry 3
• Our current suite included qualifications in all the key areas centres
were looking for, i.e. - preparation for employability, personal and social
skills, learning skills and enterprise; no need for any new titles
• Some qualifications would benefit from additional units
• Some units needed re-focusing or updating
• Centres need more advice/support material to help them understand
the flexibility of our qualifications and the distinctiveness of our
assessment approach

7. Improvements and
developments:
new qualifications
New Entry 1 Personal and Social Skills
qualifications: Award, Certificate and
Extended Certificate
to bridge the gap between E1 Personal Progress
and E2 Personal and Social Skills

8. Improvements and
developments:
refreshed qualifications
New units added:
• Preparation for Employment reviewed to
ensure fit with JCP programmes and
Supported Internships
• Personal and Social Skills updated to
reflect new areas of learning
All units reviewed and many revised to
• place focus more firmly on skills rather than knowledge
• update content

9. New support material
• A supported internship webpage
• Guidance on developing learning skills for
learners with SEND
• Embedding English and maths?

10. Further support in the
future
• A further webinar on good assessment
practice at Entry level
• An Entry level ‘get-together’ for Gateway
Qualifications centres?

11. • Brand new and refreshed qualifications available to centres for planning
purposes – March 2019
• First delivery of new and refreshed qualifications – 1 September 2019
• Final date for new starts on existing versions – 31 July 2020
• Final date for certification on existing versions – 31 July 2021
Timescales

12. Any questions?

13. Contact Us
www.gatewayqualifications.org.uk
enquiries@gatewayqualifications.org.uk
01206 911 211