Checklist for Higher Education Endorsement - Fitness

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should use the normal range of HEI assessment methods for courses which gain REPs approval (e.g. theory paper, practical assessment).

There will need to be adequate practical assessment to demonstrate to REPs that graduates have the necessary practical skills and competence required by employers. HEIs should produce a practical assessment marking scheme that acts to determine competence.

The minimum pass mark for theory assessments that lead to a REPs recognised qualification is 70%. HEIs will need to work out how to embed this in to their marking schemes where 40% is normally adequate for a pass. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as:

• via additional (possibly optional) stand alone assessments
• via component marking (where the theory and practical grades for the vocational/REPs element are added to the academic/HE specific assessment element to arrive at a percentage/grade for a given module)
• by assessing aspects of the vocational/REPs assessment

Where a student does not meet the required 70% theory pass mark on the first attempt it is common practice to put this mark towards the module/HE course, but to provide the student with further opportunity to pass the vocational/REPs element of the module assessment (for which the HEI may decide to charge the student and stipulate a maximum number of re-sits).

Sample practical marking sheets and examples of how the 70% pass mark has been implemented at other institutions can be gained from SkillsActive. It is important that students are fully informed of which aspects of assessment contribute to HE course marks and which are leading to vocational/REPs qualifications/categories.

Higher Education Institutions who wish to gain approval for their course to give entry to REPs at Level 2 and/or Level 3 must complete a mapping toolkit. The units and assessment criteria contained within the Level 2 and 3 mapping toolkits form vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The units map closely to the relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS) for exercise and fitness.

Institutions should insert the module or unit code/number, document title and page number or other reference to course materials/documents in the evidence column. Module or unit learning outcomes/indicative content/scheme of work could also be used as evidence. 100% mapping to the content of the units chosen for mapping is expected and a full mapping check will be carried out by an evaluator as part of the endorsement process.

Please note that it will be necessary to clearly demonstrate how and where students are to be formatively/summatively assessed and to provide all relevant assessment documentation that contributes towards the achievement of the REPs category.

Follow the link below and complete the sections of the mapping toolkit/s relevant to your course:

The programme specification for all courses linked to REPs recognition should be submitted.

All theory and practical assessments linked to REPs recognition for all categories being sought should be submitted.

The minimum pass mark for theory assessments that lead to a REPs recognised qualification is 70%. HEIs will need to work out how to embed this in to their marking schemes where 40% is normally adequate for a pass. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as:

• via additional (possibly optional) stand-alone assessments;
• via component marking (where the theory and practical grades for the vocational/REPs element are added to the academic/HE specific assessment element to arrive at a percentage/grade for a given module);
• by providing two separate pass marks for a module i.e. 40% for the academic/HE requirement and 70% for the vocational/REPS theory requirement.
• by formatively assessing the vocational/REPs assessment theory requirements and not contributing to HE module grades i.e. use of ‘in-class’ assessments that require a pass mark of 70%.
• via programme modification upon re-validation i.e. amendment of academic module/s to ensure academic/HE assessments meet the requirements for REPs recognition.

Where a student does not meet the required 70% theory pass mark on the first attempt it is common practice to put this mark towards the module/HE course, but to provide the student with further opportunity to pass the vocational/REPs element of the module assessment (for which the HEI may decide to charge the student and stipulate a maximum number of re-sits).

Practical assessment is required for a number of REPs categroeis since it demonstrates to REPs that graduates have the necessary practical skills and competence required by employers. HEIs should produce a practical assessment checklist/marking scheme that acts to determine competence.

Sample practical assessment checklist examples can be gained from SkillsActive. It is important that students are fully informed of which aspects of assessment contribute to HE course grades and which are leading to vocationalqualifications/REPs categories.

Sample(s) of teaching materials linked to REPs recognition

Teaching materials should include one week’s delivery materials from any two modules that form part of the REPs recognised provision (e.g. PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, handouts etc).

The Technical Evaluator will be looking to see whether the tutor team is technically competent and qualified to deliver and/or assess on the course.

Up to date CVs will need to be submitted for ALL members of the tutor team

(including assessors). Tutors’ REPs membership numbers should be included.

The tutor team for Level 4 courses must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• Include a practicing/former NHS clinical/healthcare specialist in the area (e.g. a physiotherapist or nurse specialist) who is involved in the delivery of contact time* in the application of concepts, theories and clinical exercise practice.

*The contact time with the clinical/healthcare specialist can consist of e-learning modalities but must be interactive and in real-time. (For example a clinical/healthcare specialist led webinar scheduled at set points throughout the year which students are required to participate in prior to certification).

• Include a REPs registered exercise instructor with expertise and experience in the specialist area (direct industry experience for at least 6 months) who is at least Level 3 qualified in exercise referral and ideally who holds or is working towards a Level 4 qualification in the specialist area.
• Include appropriately qualified quality assurance staff (i.e. assessor, internal verifier/moderator) with recent experience/understanding of the specialist area and ideally a qualification in the specialist area.

Tutors

HEI tutors are required to possess at least one of the following:

• 3 years full time equivalent teaching experience.
• Teacher training qualification (Undergrad/Postgrad).
• BA (QTS) or PGCE.
• Accredited Institution PG Cert in teaching and supporting learning (e.g. HEA UKPSF).

N.B. It is not a requirement for the clinical tutor to meet this criteria.

Assessors

The Assessor/s must hold or be working towards any of the following:

• Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (QCF) or
• Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF) or
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF), or
• A1 (previously D32, D33).
• Relevant predecessor NQF assessor qualifications.
• SkillsActive quality assurance training (attendance on a one day course with no assessment).

Internal Quality Assurers

The Internal Quality Assurers must hold or be working towards any of the following:

• Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (QCF) or
• Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (QCF) or
• V1 (previously D34).
• Relevant predecessor NQF internal quality assurance qualifications.
• SkillsActive quality assurance training (attendance on a one day course with no assessment).

The module descriptors for all modules linked to REPs recognition should be submitted.

These are the official validated documents that contain details of each module/unit in terms of its content, the teaching/learning/assessment strategies, reading lists, learning outcomes and modes of assessment.

Facilities

Venue(s) should provide access to all learners for the purpose of training (and assessment if applicable).

Physical resources

Any specialist equipment required for the training and assessment should be available and in good working order for all learners

Please give details of the venues that will be used to deliver training and any resources, including any specific equipment that will be used during the training.

The tutors delivering the award must be technically competent. Tutors should hold a relevant Level 3 vocational qualification or be registered on REPs at level 3 and hold relevant teaching qualifications. Industry experience is also considered valuable. CVs of all tutors involved in delivering REPs recognised qualifications must be provided to SkillsActive.

HEI tutors are required to possess at least one of the following:

• 3 years full time equivalent teaching experience
• Teacher training qualification (Undergrad/Postgrad)
• BA (QTS) or PGCE
• Accredited Institution PG Cert in teaching and supporting learning (e.g. HEA UKPSF)

Assessors

The Assessor/s must hold or be working towards any of the following:

• Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement (QCF) or
• Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF) or
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF), or
• A1 (previously D32, D33)
• Relevant predecessor NQF assessor qualifications
• SkillsActive quality assurance training (attendance on a one day course with no assessment)

Internal Quality Assurers

The Internal Quality Assurers must hold or be working towards any of the following:

• Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (QCF) or
• Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice (QCF) or
• V1 (previously D34)
• Relevant predecessor NQF internal quality assurance qualifications
• SkillsActive quality assurance training (attendance on a one day course with no assessment)

Desirable Criteria

All Assessors should be registered with the Register of Exercise Professionals

ESSENTIALS

GLOSSARY

Check out our glossary of terms if you are unsure which category your training falls under. For further assistance go to Help, call 0207 632 2006 or SkillsActive at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SUPPORT

If at any stage you're unclear, need more information, or wish to email SkillsActive, follow This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call 0207 632 2006