Beverley Grammar School Awarded NCFE’s School of the Month

Beverley Grammar School say they are delighted to announce that the School has been awarded NCFE’s School of the Month for March 2017.

Beverley Grammar School currently delivers NCFE’s V Cert in Engineering that have been developed by NCFE in-line with the Department for Education measures as to what meets GCSE equivalency.

Aimed at 14-16 year olds, V Certs count as part of the Progress 8 measure and hold performance points.

Daniel Bibbington, Head of Design and Technology at Beverley Grammar School, said:

“We chose to deliver NCFE’s V Certs because we found that the qualifications provided more opportunities for pupils to engage in practical hands-on making, in comparison with other vocational qualifications.

“We’ve seen pupils of all ability groups, including SEN learners and Pupil Premium students, make very good progress on the course – more so than with their other subjects. Through the delivery of V Certs, we have an engaged, high achieving cohort of pupils who thoroughly enjoy their engineering lessons.”

Laura Mulligan, Engineering Teacher at the school, commented:

“The learners have all found the course really interesting. We have mixed ability groups and some learners are interested in pursuing engineering at a higher level, whereas others are more vocationally inclined and plan to seek out an apprenticeship route. V Certs give scope for both routes.

“I have really enjoyed teaching this V Cert. The learners are fully engaged which makes teaching the course a pleasure and has reignited my own interest. Because the learners and I enjoy the course, there is a lovely atmosphere in the classroom.”

As a result of what they’ve learnt from their V Cert in Engineering, four learners from Beverley Grammar School have recently started a work experience placement with BAE Systems, a multinational company providing some of the world’s most advanced technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions.

V Certs have the same level of rigour as GCSEs but often include project-based assessments, which means schools and pupils can work more flexibly around the qualification, and have a greater opportunity to use their creativity and imagination.

Mr Bibbington added:

“The majority of learners want to continue onto careers or further study within the engineering sector – this draws positive comments from everyone from learning support staff to senior leaders in the school about how great it is to see the right pupils on the right course, achieving the grades they deserve.”