22 May 2019
Pupils at Highcrest Academy are using the vocational qualifications in Health and Fitness from NCFE to help them progress their careers within the sports, health and wellbeing industries.
Since starting to work with NCFE over 5 years ago, the Highcrest Academy’s Health and Fitness learners have had great success with over 80% of learners achieving a pass, merit or distinction year on year using the vocational sports qualification.
Neil Stocking, Vice Principal at Highcrest, said: “Adopting technical qualifications from NCFE has meant that learners who don’t respond well to a written exam are able to achieve a mark during the course that they deserve because they can demonstrate their knowledge in other ways which play to their strengths through the practical assessment.”
The school made the decision to work with NCFE following the recommendation from other schools in the local area. Neil sought out his own information online and found that it was clear and the process accessible. He was confident after speaking to the NCFE Customer Support team that his delivery staff would also be well serviced.
Neil said: “The support from NCFE has been so valuable and we’ve been especially grateful for the reflective and reassuring relationship we have developed with our External Quality Assurer (EQA). We’re able to ask advice and ensure that we are doing the right thing, which has been particularly useful when moving to the new combined level Technical Award. It’s allowed for a smooth transition and it’s a level of experience and support we haven’t received from other awarding organisations.”
Such is Neil’s great relationship with NCFE, he has acted as an ambassador for the Health and Fitness V Cert, offering support to other schools who have just began their NCFE journey across Hertfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Many learners from the Highcrest Academy have gone on to work in the health and fitness industries as Personal Trainers or Coaches or they have chosen to further develop their knowledge at 6th form and university, using their V Cert in Health and Fitness as a platform.
Hurais, a learner at Highcrest Academy said: “I’ve really enjoyed the V Cert in Health and Fitness, especially producing a healthy eating and exercise plan as part of our coursework. I’m really hopeful that I will gain a distinction in this course and I can go on to 6th form.”
Find out more about our Health and Fitness qualifications for schools on QualHub.
