Apprenticeships E-Newsletter April 2022
Explanation of our core values
One of our four core values is “Caring but challenging”
All of our team, whether on the tutor team or the operations team, really care about our students and want to feel that we have had a real impact on helping them progress their careers. We get a warm glow when students qualify and progress in their career. A number of our employer clients were once our students.
Part of caring for you is also about being prepared to “challenge” you at times. Sometimes you lack self confidence and will put off exams by thinking and saying “I don’t feel completely ready” If you don’t sit an exam, you can’t fail it so it feels better to put it off at times! However, if we believe that you already have the skills and knowledge to pass the exam, it is our duty to encourage you and challenge you to have the same belief in yourself as we do in you. We would never put you into an exam without first being confident in your ability to pass. There are our own progress tests and practice assessments to complete. There are the AAT Green Light Tests and their Sample assessments (mock exams) to complete. So there is tons of question practice to give both you and us the confidence to sit that exam.
Our 2021 overall AAT exam pass rates, provided to us recently by the AAT, should give you confidence that you have the ability within you and the training support you receive does prepare you really well for the exams.
When we plan the duration of your apprenticeship, we normally add a few months to provide some flexibility. However, Ofsted made it very clear to us that they would expect us to challenge you to achieve your full potential. Assuming you work at least 30 hours a week, an Apprenticeship must last 372 days (1 year and 1 week). So if you have been given a planned duration of 16 months but have really got to grips with things and can complete in 13 months, then it is our duty to challenge you to do this. Your employer will also be keen to see you achieve really well and contribute to the success of the office.
So – if we challenge you, it is because we care, not because we are being beastly!!
Five a Day for fruit and veg – Eight a Day for your studies!
One of our four core values is “Caring but challenging”
All of our team, whether on the tutor team or the operations team, really care about our students and want to feel that we have had a real impact on helping them progress their careers. We get a warm glow when students qualify and progress in their career. A number of our employer clients were once our students.
Part of caring for you is also about being prepared to “challenge” you at times. Sometimes you lack self confidence and will put off exams by thinking and saying “I don’t feel completely ready” If you don’t sit an exam, you can’t fail it so it feels better to put it off at times!
However, if we believe that you already have the skills and knowledge to pass the exam, it is our duty to encourage you and challenge you to have the same belief in yourself as we do in you. We would never put you into an exam without first being confident in your ability to pass. There are our own progress tests and practice assessments to complete. There are the AAT Green Light Tests and their Sample assessments (mock exams) to complete. So there is tons of question practice to give both you and us the confidence to sit that exam.
Our 2021 overall AAT exam pass rates, provided to us recently by the AAT, should give you confidence that you have the ability within you and the training support you receive does prepare you really well for the exams.
When we plan the duration of your apprenticeship, we normally add a few months to provide some flexibility. However, Ofsted made it very clear to us that they would expect us to challenge you to achieve your full potential. Assuming you work at least 30 hours a week, an Apprenticeship must last 372 days (1 year and 1 week). So if you have been given a planned duration of 16 months but have really got to grips with things and can complete in 13 months, then it is our duty to challenge you to do this. Your employer will also be keen to see you achieve really well and contribute to the success of the office.
So – if we challenge you, it is because we care, not because we are being beastly!!
The Level 2 Structured Interview
The Level 2 Structured Interview is one of the final tests of the apprenticeship and forms part of the End Point Assessment. It involves a video call with an AAT assessor; the assessor will ask a series of questions linking to the learning outcomes in the portfolio (Behaviors, Knowledge, and Skills). There are usually 10 questions, however the assessor may ask more ‘sub- questions’ too. Students are allowed a printed version of their portfolio to refer to during the Interview.
Martyn has been helping our Level 2 apprentices prepare for their Structured Interview. He has been holding ‘mock interviews’ to give students a feel for the real examination! Martyn has been able to coach students during this session and give advice and strategy on how to answer each question.
Our students have found this really valuable so far:
“The session with Martyn was great. It was very helpful and definitely eased some of my nerves about the final interview.”
“I found the session very useful and made a lot of notes to follow up on.”
If you are a level 2 apprentice who is approaching their interview, please speak to your tutor about scheduling a session with Martyn.”