Non Standard Learning Routes

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is designed to reduce the duplication of learning, and offers a number of opportunities to assist with this. They fall into three categories:

• Recognition of Prior learning
  Learners have the opportunity to use learning they have already gained through life/work experience instead of completing the training for a unit or units. The learner must be able to evidence this learning to the Tutor/Assessor who will then make a decision as to whether further training is necessary, or if the learner can go straight to assessment of specific units. The Tutor/Assessor will hold an Assessment Interview where the learner's evidence will be presented and reviewed, and their knowledge and experience will be discussed. Learners can only request that whole units are recognised as prior learning, they will still be assessed against these units in the normal way and the same Quality Assurance processes are required as for Standard Learning Routes. Learner learning achieved through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will gain credits on the QCF.
• Equivalent
  The learner has previously achieved a unit or qualification that is on the QCF and has been formally recognised by Sports Leaders UK as equivalent to its unit(s). The equivalent has to have the same number of credits or higher, and be at the same level or higher than the unit it is replacing. Although credits are available for these units, they can be claimed only once.
• Exemption
  The learner has previously attained certificated achievement outside of the QCF that Sports Leaders UK deems to be of equivalent value to its unit or units. Learners will not gain credits for this learning.

View the list of formally recognised Equivalent and Exemption units.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Learners wishing to use RPL towards a Sports Leaders UK qualification will follow the process outlined below:

• The Centre Course Manager (CCM) will apply for the course in the normal way; via the Sports Leaders UK Online Application system, or by downloading and completing a Course Application Form.
• If you are using RPL for either the Level 3 Award in Day Walk Leadership or the Level 3 Certificate in Basic Expedition Leadership a course programme will need to be submitted with the Course Application Form.
• Sports Leaders UK will send the required number of Records Of Achievement to the CCM as normal.
• The Tutor/Assessor ticks the Recognition of Prior Learning box on the Learner Registration Form to inform Sports Leaders UK that the learner wishes to use this method of non standard learning.
• Each learner who intends to use this method of non standard learning should read the RPL Learner Guidance Sheet and must download the relevant Recognition of Prior Learning Evidence Record.
• The learner completes the Recognition of Prior Learning Evidence Record stating how/where/when they feel they have previously met each relevant Assessment Criteria. They must provide evidence for each Assessment Criteria they wish to have recognised as prior learning (this may take the form of a written personal statement, planning documentation, evaluations, witness statement, contact details for someone who can verify their claims and so on).
• Prior learning that the learners wish to use towards achievement of their Sports Leaders UK qualification must not be more than three years old, and must reflect current good practice.
• The Tutor/Assessor reviews the Recognition of Prior Learning Evidence Record and calls the learner to attend an Assessment Interview. At this interview the Tutor/Assessor will have to be assured of the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria that the learner can claim as prior learning, and which aspects of the course the learner will still need to attend for training.
• The Quality Assurance Officer will sample these assessment interviews as part of a sampling system.
• The Tutor/Assessor delivers the course with the learner attending those aspects for which they have no previous experience or which the Tutor/Assessor was not satisfied at the Assessment Interview that they had sufficient knowledge/experience or there was not sufficient evidence to back up the claim for RPL.
• The course is assessed and assessment decisions recorded in the normal way using an Internal Assessment Record.
• The course is internally verified in the normal way using the Internal Verifier Record.
• The course is independently assessed in the normal way using the Independent Assessor Report Form.
• The learner will be expected to complete the Demonstration of Leadership hours as normal and the Leadership Log in the Record Of Achievement will be completed in the normal way.
• The Non Standard Learning Route Certification Form must be completed and returned to Sports Leaders UK.
• Sports Leaders UK will send certificates for successful learners.
• Minimum evidence must be collected and retained for a minimum of three years. Learner RPL Evidence Records and Tutor/Assessor Assessment Interview Records should also be retained for a minimum of three years.
• The course will be externally verified as part of the normal 30% sampling system.