Ascentis National Conference Online Inspiring Learner Success

Inspiring Learner Success

About the Conference

The Ascentis National Conference returnd this December as a completely online event with a series of inspiring and thought provoking webinars and virtual sessions taking place throughout the day. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Inspiring Learner Success’. We aimed to provide you with ideas and stories to continue to inspire and motivate learners to accomplish their goals, despite the hurdles faced during last 18 months.

The event featured leaders in our industry alongside some well-known faces who provided their insight and expertise into the on-going issues that impact our sector.

The day concluded with our much anticipated prize draw, where we gave away a luxury Harrods hamper.

Agenda

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Introduction and Welcome from Ascentis

Phil Wilkinson, CEO Ascentis

Friday 3rd December, 10:00 - 10:30am

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Update on the funding of skills; implications of the Budget and Spending Review for FE and Skills providers

Beej Kaczmarczyk, e-Memoir

This session covered

changes to funding of learning programmes for young people and adults
new sources of funding for adult learners
impacts of new investments in skills
implications of changes on education and training providers
looking to the future

Friday 3rd December, 10:30 - 11:30am

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No hurdle is impossible to overcome

Danny Crates, Paralympic athlete and TV presenter

Friday 3rd December, 12:00 - 1:00pm

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Creating student success and beyond

Shakira Martin, Head of Student Experience at Rose Bruford College, Former NUS President

Friday 3rd December, 2:00 - 3:00pm

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Curriculum Planning and Ascentis Qualifications update

Ascentis Qualifications Experts

In this section our Regional Sales Managers and Product Development Team discussed how you can enhance your provision and support learners with Ascentis qualifications. This included our new qualifications and a preview of what's coming for the new year!

We also covered our Access to HE qualifications, ESOL and associated qualifications, Progression, Employability, English & Maths and our popular Short Online Qualifications.

Friday 3rd December, 3:00 - 3:45pm

This session closed with the plenary and our much anticipated raffle draw!

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Catch up with previous Conference Highlights

Here you can find a selection of our fantastic keynote speakers from previous years, available to watch on demand at a time to suit you.

Connected Education in a Digital Age

Grace Barrett, Co-Founder of The Self-Esteem Team

Grace Barrett of the Self Esteem Team talks about the addictive power of social media. Young people are conditioned to receive dopamine hits which can make them more susceptible to addiction. Social media is designed to tap into young people’s dopamine driven desire for social validation. In her keynote Grace explains how social media works in the form of the hook model and discusses ways to break the cycle.

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Educating for the Future, Now,

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, Co-founder of the STEMettes, states that it’s the small things we can do and tweaks we can make to curriculums to ensure learners are fully equipped for digital life – understanding who uses technology and why it is created, the problems technology can solve and who it can help. This can be done by involving altruism and creative arts in study programmes – turning STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) into STEAM.

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Well-being - A Practical Guide to Achieving it in The New Techno World

Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth, a well-known writer, actor and star of Celebrity Gogglebox emphasises the importance of being happy and in particular making a conscious effort to ensure happiness in today’s digital age. Key to this is living in a shared community, having a common purpose, and being challenged and engaged in society – which he includes in his 7 secrets of happiness. Find out what they are in this keynote.

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Minimising Stress and Maximising Potential - Tried and tested strategies for emotional well-being

Cat Williams, founder of Stay Calm and Content

This webinar is available to watch on-demand and covers:

Top tips for reducing stress and anxiety in ourselves and others
Relevant engaging stories of how others have overcome challenges
Strategies for increasing self-esteem, confidence and resilience
Practical steps to put into practice immediately

For the free ‘self-hypnosis for confidence’ download and the free ‘Getting Back on Track’ webinar, as well as details of Cat’s ‘Minimising Stress and Maximising Resilience’ online video course click here.

Download the 24 Strengths PDF

Download the full webinar transcript

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Join us as an Ascentis
Approved Centre

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Meeting

Request an online meeting or telephone call with one of our qualification experts to discuss your provision.

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Upcoming
Events

Find out more about our upcoming Quality Meetings, IQA and Assessor Webinars and CPD Certified Training events.

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Watch Our Client Videos

Ascentis helps change the lives of over 170,000 learners each year. Hear about why our staff love working for us, and why our customers love working with us.

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Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service Speaking about Ascentis English & Maths Stepping Stones

Ascentis has a fantastic suite of English and Maths Stepping Stones qualifications which enable learners to focus on specific skills, build their confidence and progress onto further learning. This testimonial video features Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service who outline the benefits to them and their learners of using these qualifications.

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The City of Liverpool College Speaking about Ascentis Access to Higher Education

Access to HE with Ascentis - We Make a Difference. Watch our Testimonial and hear how it makes a difference to learners and the opportunities it brings.

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Best Practice People Speaking about Ascentis Short Online Qualifications

The Ascentis Short Online Qualifications are delivered in many centres across the UK and help to support learners’ Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare. Listen to Ascentis Customer, Best Practice People talk about how effective the Ascentis Short Online Qualifications are and how they successfully aid their NEET learners, improving skills and confidence in turn helping them secure employment.

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Join hundreds of happy centres nationwide

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What our happy customers say

“We are very pleased that we made the move to Ascentis for all our ESOL exams. The exams are appropriate for our learners, and lecturers find the marking manageable. As an organisation, Ascentis is a pleasure to work with. Our queries are always dealt with quickly and we are extremely well supported by our verifier.”

Waltham Forest

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our first year with Ascentis. There has been support of a high quality throughout the academic year. Support has been provided through a variety of roles including the quality managers, lead EQA’s and subject moderators.”

Bradford College

“We have been delighted with the impact Ascentis Extended Awards in Mathematical Skills (Stepping Stones) have had on our student’s progression towards their functional skills mathematics as well as preparing them for the completion of their GCSE. It has taught them the essential skills in mathematics which enabled them to deal with the practical problems and challenges of life – at home, in education and at work. These skills are valued by employers and further education, and are a platform on which to build other employability skills. We are also very impressed with the level of service and commitment shown by the staff of Ascentis, they are always available to help whenever help is needed.”

Brent Start

“The transparency and support of Ascentis has been refreshing. Our moderation process has been a pleasure and developmental feedback has always been welcomed.”

Kensington & Chelsea College

News

Access to HE Excellence Awards 2021-2022

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News

#AskAscentis Qualification Q&A - Community Interpreting...

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News

Creating a Greener Curriculum

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19th Jan 2022

Quality Assurance Events

Ascentis English Skills Quality Assurance Webinar

What will the Webinar cover? The webinar is free to join and may include standardisation activities as well as the opportunity to share best practice with other practitioners. You will also receive updates on Ascentis English Skills qualifications and general administration. Who can join the Webinar? All approved centres delivering Ascentis English Skills qualifications – centre co-ordinators, tutor/assessors, exams officers and those involved in the Internal Quality Assurance of these qualifications – are invited to join this webinar. Who delivers the Webinar? The webinar is delivered by our Lead External Quality Assurer (EQA) for English, David Norden. David is a subject expert in the field of English and also works in centres as an EQA and so has a vast knowledge of Ascentis expectations and processes. Why join the Webinar? Each attendee that participates in the webinar will receive a certificate of attendance which counts towards Continuing Professional Development. You will receive useful information that will help with the standardisation, delivery and assessment of the qualifications. Feedback from previous webinar delegates includes: “Clear explanations and good choice of discussion points” “Thanks very much for all info and insights re assessment” “This has been a very useful session - thank you very much” “all question's answered - thank you” We very much hope you will take up this opportunity to join with our centres to participate in important quality assurance activities. Please note that this event is for Ascentis centres only and places are limited. Please book your place using your centre email address to avoid disappointment.

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20th Jan 2022

Quality Assurance Events

Ascentis Maths Skills Quality Assurance Webinar

What will the Webinar cover? The webinar is free to join and may include standardisation activities as well as the opportunity to share best practice with other practitioners. You will also receive updates on Ascentis Maths Skills qualifications and general administration. Who can join the Webinar? All approved centres delivering Ascentis Maths Skills qualifications – centre co-ordinators, tutor/assessors, exams officers and those involved in the Internal Quality Assurance of these qualifications – are invited to join this webinar. Who delivers the Webinar? The webinar is delivered by our Lead External Quality Assurer (EQA) for Maths, Christine Baker. Christine is a subject expert in the field of Mathematics and also works in centres as an EQA and so has a vast knowledge of Ascentis expectations and processes. Why join the Webinar? Each attendee that participates in the webinar will receive a certificate of attendance which counts towards Continuing Professional Development. You will receive useful information that will help with the standardisation, delivery and assessment of the qualifications. Feedback from previous webinar delegates includes: “Very good, concise and to the point” “Thanks very much for all info and insights re assessment” “This has been a very useful session - thank you very much” “This has been really helpful and so convenient having it via webinar. Thank you” We very much hope you will take up this opportunity to join with our centres to participate in important quality assurance activities. Please note that this event is for Ascentis centres only and places are limited. Please book your place using your centre email address to avoid disappointment.

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21st Jan 2022

IQA/Assessor Events

Ascentis Assessor & IQA Webinar

This Webinar is for Ascentis customers only and is free to join. The Webinar is focused around Ascentis expectations in relation to: • Responsibilities and requirements of assessment • The Assessment Cycle • The recording of the assessment process • Standardisation • Best practice in portfolio building • External quality assurance activities Who can join the Webinar? All approved Ascentis centres delivering Ascentis qualifications - Assessors and Internal Verifiers who are either new to the role or would like a refresher of knowledge and understanding in relation to assessments, procedures and expectations - are invited to join this webinar. Who delivers the Webinar? The webinar is delivered by our experienced External Quality Assurer (EQA), Brenda Clayton. Brenda is a subject expert in the field of assessing and internal quality assurance and also works in centres as an EQA so has a vast knowledge of Ascentis expectations and processes. Brenda will be joined by a Quality Assurance Manager to answer any QA specific questions. Why join the Webinar? Each attendee that participates in the webinar will receive a certificate of attendance which counts towards Continuing Professional Development. You will receive useful information that will help with the standardisation, delivery and assessment of the qualifications. Feedback from previous webinar delegates includes: “Very informative and detailed with opportunity for questions” “Clear and well presented – thankyou” “Great session, clear and helpful. Thank you” “Enjoyed it - new to Ascentis so found it very useful” We very much hope you will take up this opportunity to join with our centres to participate in important quality assurance activities. Please note that this event is for Ascentis centres only and places are limited. Please book your place using your centre email address to avoid disappointment.

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