Course Levels and Pathways
We offer a range of courses at pre-entry level through to level 5. These courses are designed to meet the needs of our learners, our community and local businesses. Our courses are either regulated and accredited or non-regulated and non accredited.
Regulated and Accredited Courses
Regulated and/or accredited courses are offered at all levels at New Directions. By completing one of these courses, you will work towards completing and achieving a nationally accredited qualification. We work with a range of awarding bodies to accredit learning, these range from City and Guilds, Pearson, Gateway, Ascentis and the Institute for Leadership and Management. All of these qualifications are recognised by employers, further education colleges and universities.
In order to complete and achieve one of these qualifications, you typically have to produce a portfolio of evidence that will be assessed by your Tutor throughout your course. Sometimes you will also need to sit an exam or have a formative assessment. If you are studying a work based learning qualification or an Apprenticeship, you will also need to be seen at work and assessed against criteria that demonstrates how occupationally competent you are. Your Tutor will explain all of this to you when you start your course.
Non-regulated and Non-accredited Courses
New Directions College offers a range of courses which are non-regulated. This means that you won’t complete or achieve an accredited qualification, however, you will study a subject and gain skills, knowledge and demonstrate behaviours to show you are competent. You will achieve a completion certificate at the end of the course that details the topics you have covered.
We normally use a formal process of RARPA to recognise and record your progress and achievement. Non regulated learning is ideal for those wanting to participate in relaxed, informal learning such as creative arts and crafts courses and learning for wellbeing workshops or provision offered through our partners and subcontractors.
It is also ideal for adult learners who are returning to learning for the first time in a long time, and whilst they are looking to develop their knowledge and skill, they don’t want the pressure or they may not require a formally accredited qualification.
What qualification levels mean
There are 9 qualification levels in England, starting at Entry level through to Level 8. You can find out more about levels on the Gov.uk website. New Directions offer courses from pre-entry and entry level through to level 5.
Course Offer
The courses that we offer at the College are themed into subject specific areas or occupational job sectors or categories of learning that are focused on:
- Courses that aim to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they
need to progress into, or within, work; or equip them for an apprenticeship or other learning. - Flexible tailored programmes of learning which may or may not require a qualification, to help eligible learners engage in learning, build confidence, and/or enhance their wellbeing.
- Personal and Community Development Learning – learning for personal
and community development, cultural enrichment, intellectual or creative
stimulation and for enjoyment (in most cases not leading to a formal
qualification) - Family English, Maths and Language – learning to improve the English,
language and maths skills of parents, carers or guardians and their ability to help their children - Wider Family Learning – learning to help different generations of family
members to learn together how to support their children’s learning Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities – supports local
Voluntary and other third sector organisations to develop their capacity to deliver learning opportunities for the residents of disadvantaged
neighbourhoods.