Not all Awarding Organisations are the same

Enough was enough for the Access to HE team at Bridgewater and Taunton College.

After growing increasingly unhappy due to a number of needs being missed, Course Leader Pam Jones decided to change Access Validating Agency (AVA). Even though switching AVA’s has been tarnished as “difficult” or “scary” amongst Centres, Bridgewater and Taunton College decided to give the Awarding Orangisation of the Year a chance.

Gateway Qualifications was the star performer in 2022, winning two important national accolades – Awarding Organisation of The Year, and Innovation of The Year.

These commendations are Important not just for Gateway Qualifications, but for the further education sector as a whole. These awards help to continue to ‘raise the bar’ in the qualifications’ industry and show the sector that not all AOs are the same.

Pam explained: “We were becoming increasingly unhappy with our Access Validation Agency (AVA) due to a range of issues: last minute changes to units/criteria, often late in the year; changes to levels of units; poor communication of changes; increasing word counts for units making the Access Diploma equivalent to a doctoral thesis; inaccurate mark schemes; assignments with content that would not allow a learner to meet all criteria – thus not fit for purpose and risking disadvantaging our learners.”

We were becoming increasingly unhappy with our AVA due to a range of issues: inaccurate mark schemes; assignments with content that would not allow a learner to meet all criteria; poor communication. We wanted the removal of the ‘compulsory’ graded exam unit, and we wanted better communication.

Pam Jones, Course Leader, Access at Bridgewater and Taunton College

The list went on, Pam said: “We wanted a Diploma we could design ourselves that would meet the needs of learners and their progression destinations to the best advantage for them. We knew we couldn’t do this with our incumbent AVA.”

Pam’s team were looking for a new AVA who would be receptive to the needs of the college, and the learner.

She said: “Gateway Qualifications met our criteria; the decision was easy to make.” And the criteria wasn’t too onerous either, Pam said: “We were looking for the flexibility to write our own unit specifications and our own assignments, so that we could be assured they were fit for purpose; we wanted the removal of the ‘compulsory’ graded exam unit, and we wanted better communication.”

Gateway Qualifications met our criteria; the decision was easy to make.

Pam Jones, Course Leader, Access at Bridgewater and Taunton College

Gateway Qualifications was already being considered by Bridgewater and Taunton College for its computing qualifications, and it was soon discovered that Gateway would facilitate bespoke Diplomas for Access – Pam’s team explored this further and concluded that switch would resolve most issues they were having.

“Initial meetings were very helpful and gave us all the information we needed to get the ball rolling, but the validation process was completely new to us.”

And Pam agreed about the support, she said: “Getting started with Gateway was great – lots of helpful information and communication, a lot of support from their Quality Development Team, and lots of guidance on setting-up our units,” she explained, “the validation panels were a bit more challenging, partly because we had problems getting HEI representatives to attend. But the process itself was pretty smooth, and it had helped that I was previously invited [by Gateway qualifications] to attend a panel with another college that was setting up new Diplomas, so I already an idea of what to expect and how to prepare – it was immensely helpful.

My advice to anyone who is considering swapping their provider is Do It! It really isn’t as much hassle as you might think.

Pam Jones, Course Leader, Access at Bridgewater and Taunton College

“If you’re going to go through a validation process, definitely attend one first so you’re prepared. Make contact with local HEIs as early as possible and make sure you’ve already sorted out how they will be paid, and how much before you make contact.

“And keep contacting them if they are slow to respond. Talk to a someone who has already been through the process – I think that’s the only thing I would have found useful and didn’t do.”

“It’s still early days, but so far so good says, Pam, “communication is very good, regular, and clear. So far, everyone at Gateway has been helpful and friendly.”

Pam concluded: “My advice to anyone who is considering swapping their provider is – Do it! It really isn’t as much hassle as you might think. It really helps to have an AVA where you can tailor a Diploma/units to suit your delivery team and your learners’ needs.”

Becoming an Access to HE Centre with us

Deciding to start your Access to HE provision with a new AVA can be nerve-wracking, but our streamlined approach makes the process as simple as possible without compromising validity.

You will be given a named account manager, and our dedicated Access to HE team will be with you every step of the way to get you up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible.

More information

Not all Awarding Organisations are the same

Becoming an Access to HE Centre with us

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