Joining and training

Before you register with the Scheme, at least one member of staff needs appropriate initial training from a recognised source.

Where a member of staff in your centre has had recent experience either as a Co-ordinator or an Assessor with the Scheme, initial training may not be required. In such cases, please give details of the relevant experience in the Centre Registration Form.

Training meetings are held in several central locations each term, or you can arrange for training to take place on-site with AQA. In most cases training is provided by AQA. For some northern centres, training is arranged through an LEA or Consortium.

One of those attending the training should be the person who will take on the role of Centre Co-ordinator. The Centre Co-ordinator is the person responsible for the operation and development of the Scheme in your centre, including unit writing and assessment.

The Centre Co-ordinator is also responsible for cascading relevant information and advice to others in your centre who use the Scheme.

This initial INSET will be followed up by a visit by an AQA Assessor at the point when your centre is ready to make its first formal recommendations for the award of units. This enables your Centre Co-ordinator to ask for advice from your Assessor on any operational issues that may have arisen as well as to discuss the recommendations made and related issues such as presentation of evidence.

Please complete a Centre Registration Form to join the Scheme and return it prior to the training.

There are no centre registration fees, other than the fee for INSET.

See details of operational fees.

Training fees for Centres Supported Solely by AQA

  • AQA charges £140 per person attending an initial full day training course organised by AQA at a central location.

  • AQA charges £650 for up to 10 participants and £750 for 11-20 participants for providing INSET at a centre by a visiting AQA trainer. Where centres combine together to arrange for INSET to be provided, the total fee may be shared between the centres concerned.

  • AQA charges £270 per centre for the follow up visit from the AQA Assessor

Training fees for Centres Supported by an LEA/Consortium

  • In these cases initial training is provided by the supporting LEA/Consortium in accordance with local arrangements.

  • However AQA charges £270 per centre for the follow up visit from the AQA Assessor.