Press Release

Date: Wednesday 11 May 2005 (NR/10/05)

Dungannon pupil cooks up success with innovative new qualification

Local Principal Eileen Donnelly of Drumglass High School has been speaking this week about the remarkable progress one of her pupils has been making through an innovative new qualification.

Occupational Studies is a new way to learn and achieve that is proving increasing popular in schools and colleges across Northern Ireland . Learning takes place both in the school and in a work environment, with students developing their skills through a practical ‘hands-on’ approach.

The course has been devised by local exams body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and Drumglass High School has been one of the first schools to pioneer the qualification.

Talking about the transformation she has seen in Drumglass fifth year student Grace Fitton, Mrs Donnelly commented:

“During the early part of secondary school Grace was placed in a small Special Needs class to receive additional support. Her attendance was declining and her motivation was low.

Since taking on the CCEA Occupational Studies course in Hospitality and Catering Grace has responded very favourably to this type of hands on learning and has produced an exemplary record of achievement.  Training is carried out on site at DHS Kitchens under the supervision of Mount Charles Catering on a day release basis from other studies, and is conducted on the lines of practical assessment, validated internally and externally, supported by the generation of a portfolio.

A noticeable observation is how confident and capable Grace has become. This confidence appears to have enriched her ability to learn in other areas of the curriculum. It has also increased her independence and self responsibility which are key skills and she has made an excellent prefect this year.” 

David Flynn is the officer in charge of Occupational Studies at CCEA and is full of praise for the work being done at Drumglass and of the impact the new qualification is having across Northern Ireland :

“ Drumglass High School has played an important role in helping CCEA to develop this new qualification. Grace’s success story is one of many being emulated by students studying the course in schools, colleges and training organisations across Northern Ireland . At present I have teachers contacting me almost on a daily basis to sign up for or find out more about Occupational Studies and the tangible benefits it can bring for their pupils.”

Occupational Studies

  • The Occupational Studies qualification is designed to be accessible to a wide range of learners.
  • It is targeted at learners working towards Level 1 and Level 2 (equates to GCSE) of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
  • It has an employability focus and enables progression on to other courses, particularly NVQ, and to training and employment.
  • Course options are available in the following areas:
  • Hospitality and Catering; Construction; Design; Engineering; Hairdressing and Beauty; Media ; Vehicle Studies; Office Administration; Retail; Sport, Leisure and Travel; Digital Technology; Horticulture; Care

 

Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk

ENDS

 

Note to Editors

CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"

What we do

CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.

Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.

Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.

Awarding Qualifications

– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.

- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.