The Foundation Learning Scheme is a national learning programme developed for young people aged 14 – 19 years. The scheme is often valuable for young people who struggle to learn under typical classroom type conditions.

The Foundation Learning Scheme allows learners to progress from entry level or level one qualifications on to level two qualifications; Diplomas, Apprenticeships, GCSEs and in certain cases, degree level.

Foundation Learning provides opportunities to develop a personalised programme of learning, where learners work towards their goal by achieving awards and accreditations in bite sized units. These programmes all include three separate learning elements:

• Vocational knowledge, skills and understanding.
• Functional skills in English, Mathematics and ICT.
• Personal and social development learning.

All of the programmes are part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (or QCF) and include functional skills qualifications, which allow young people to gain qualifications at their own pace.

Within the QCF each 10 hours of learning is equal to one credit and every qualification has both a credit value and an entry level of between 1 and 8, depending on the difficulty of the qualification.

There are three levels of qualification in the QCF:

• Awards; equal to 1–12 credits.
• Certificates; equal to 13–36 credits.
• Diplomas; equal to 37 or more credits.

At Ridgemond Training we offer Foundation Learning, from entry level or level one, in a wide range of subject areas:

To find out more about Foundation Courses at Ridgemond call 01438 842200 or click on the links or email info@ridgemondtraining.org.uk