News
Government Announcement: Performance Points
Posted 01 February 2012The Department for Education has announced a list of qualifications that will contribute to the School Performance tables for pre-16 learners from 2014.
OCNSWR January Update newsletter
Posted 24 January 2012Available to download online
NOCN Qualifications Funding Update
Posted 19 January 2012Level 1 Diploma in Step-UP now eligible for ALR funding
Supporting a Good Cause
Posted 16 January 2012Christmas donation raised £160 for The Meningitis Trust
Grant Opportunities for Voluntary Organisations and Charities
Posted 12 January 2012Grants of up to £25,000 available
Events
Last Call for Bookings for OCNSWR Training Courses
18 January 2012Limited spaces available...Book now.
PTLLS Qualification Course
13 December 2011Starting 20th February 2012
NOCN Internal Quality Assurance Qualification
16 November 2011February - March 2012, Taunton
OCNSWR Access to HE Conference 2012
16 November 201129th March 2012, Taunton
Free Access to HE Student Conference 2012
16 November 2011Bristol 11th February 2012, Bath 16th February 2012
News
Government Announcement: Performance Points
Posted on 01 February 2012The Department for Education has announced a list of qualifications that will contribute to the School Performance tables for pre-16 learners from 2014. The full announcement is available via the following... Read more...
OCNSWR January Update newsletter
Posted on 24 January 2012The January/February edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has details of: - Our... Read more...
NOCN Qualifications Funding Update
Posted on 19 January 2012The Skills Funding Agency's list of qualifications approved for public funding (Adult Learner Responsive) is due to be updated on 10/02/2012 and the following NOCN qualifications will... Read more...
Supporting a Good Cause
Posted on 16 January 2012For the past few years, in lieu of sending Christmas cards our staff have chosen to donate money to charity. This year we chose a charity close to our hearts, The Meningitis Trust,... Read more...
Grant Opportunities for Voluntary Organisations and Charities
Posted on 12 January 2012PRS for Music Foundation Grants The PRS for Music Foundation is offering grants to voluntary organisations. Their grant schemes are open to any individual or not-for-profit organisation... Read more...
Free Adult Careers Advice Sessions
Posted on 12 January 2012Careers South West in Barnstaple offer a free careers advice for adults, and during Adult Learners' Week they will be offering more appointments including one evening. Adult Learners'... Read more...
NOCN Qualification Withdrawal
Posted on 06 January 2012The NOCN Level 1 Award In Preparation for Event Volunteering (Personal Best) (QCF)has been withdrawn with effect from 31st January 2012. The Entry Level Award has also been withdrawn,... Read more...
Adult Learners' Week Awards 2012 - Last Chance
Posted on 05 January 2012The Adult Learners' Week Awards recognise outstanding adult learners and inspiring learning projects. These awards are a great way to celebrate your students, colleagues, family or friends.... Read more...
YPLA 16-19 Funding Statement for 2012-13
Posted on 05 January 2012The YPLA has published the 16-19 Funding Statement for the funding of education and training in England for the 2012-13 financial year. The Statement outlines indicative levels of funding to be... Read more...
Vacancies for Access to HE Pathway Moderators
Posted on 19 December 2011We are currently seeking to recruit Access to HE Pathway Moderators for the following areas: 1. Journalism and Media Studies, Devon and Cornwall 2. Science,... Read more...
New Challenges, New Chances - Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan
Posted on 15 December 2011The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have recently published a document 'New Challenges, New Chances - Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Plan:... Read more...
OCNSWR December Update newsletter
Posted on 12 December 2011The December edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has details of: - Sources of useful... Read more...
NOCN Qualifications Eligible for ALR Funding Update
Posted on 07 December 2011The Skills Funding Agency's list of qualifications approved for public funding (Adult Learner Responsive) was updated on 22/11/2011 and the following qualifications are now included: ... Read more...
New OCNSWR Learner Success Stories
Posted on 01 December 2011We are delighted to launch a new section dedicated to highlighting the incredible achievements of our OCNSWR learners. Be inspired by these stories of success against the odds and see how how... Read more...
OCNSWR Christmas Office Hours
Posted on 29 November 2011Please note that the OCNSWR offices will close for the Christmas break at midday on Friday 23rd December. We will re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday 3rd January 2012. We would like to take this... Read more...
New NOCN Qualifications on the QCF
Posted on 18 November 2011National Open College Network (NOCN) have recently launched several new QCF qualifications: Level 1 Award and Certificate in Creative Hair Studies (QCF) Level 1 and Level Developing... Read more...
OCNSWR November Update
Posted on 10 November 2011The November edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on: - New... Read more...
New Approved Step-UP units
Posted on 10 November 2011NOCN and Ofqual have now agreed the changes to the Step-UP qualifications. The changes mean the addition of units in many areas providers have been asking for, such as animal care, engineering,... Read more...
Funding now Available for NOCN Level 2 and Level 3 Awards in Progression
Posted on 03 November 2011The Skills Funding Agency's list of qualifications approved for public funding (Adult Learner Responsive) was updated on 26/10/2011 and the following qualifications are now included... Read more...
NOCN White Paper Response: New Challenges, New Chances
Posted on 01 November 2011The National Open College Network (NOCN) have recently published a white paper in response to the Government's consultation paper entitled "New Challenges, New Chances", published... Read more...
A True Access Success Story
Posted on 31 October 2011In the Summer edition of Access News, we featured Jamie Lewis' account of his experience as an Access student, which is also now on our Access Student Stories section. Jamie had always... Read more...
'Access News' Autumn 2011
Posted on 28 October 2011The Autumn issue of our new Access to HE newsletter is now available in the 'Access News' Newsletters page. The aim of this newsletter is to keep Access colleagues informed and up to date... Read more...
Access to HE GCSE Equivalence Update
Posted on 26 October 2011We have recently publised a new Access to HE Briefing Paper on GCSE Equivalences, following a review of the GCSE Equivalence Policy and the units which form part of our regional Common Access Framework... Read more...
Adult Learners' Week Awards 2012
Posted on 24 October 2011The Adult Learners' Week Awards recognise outstanding adult learners and inspiring learning projects. These awards are a great way to celebrate your students, colleagues, family or friends.... Read more...
South West Community Grant Programme Opens
Posted on 21 October 2011Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations in the South West Region (excluding Cornwall) are set to benefit from a grant programme of over £600,000 aimed at moving people who are furthest... Read more...
Grants of up to £10k available to support Job Centre Plus activity
Posted on 12 October 2011The Department for Work and Pensions are providing a series of exciting opportunities to apply for grants of up to £10k to support Job Centre Plus activity. There are four separate grants... Read more...
OCNSWR Update Newsletter October 2011
Posted on 11 October 2011The October edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on: - Funding... Read more...
Making the most of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
Posted on 11 October 2011The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has recently commissioned the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) to produce a new guide for independent training... Read more...
Changes to NOCN Step-UP qualifications approved by Ofqual
Posted on 10 October 2011NOCN and Ofqual have now agreed the changes to the Step-UP qualifications. The changes mean the addition of units in many areas providers have been asking for, such as animal care, engineering,... Read more...
NOCN Units Confirmed for SFA Funding
Posted on 07 October 2011Fundable NOCN units in the Unit Delivery Trials The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) have recently published a list identifying eligible units confirmed as part of the Unit Delivery Trials 2011/12... Read more...
White Paper - NOCN Response: 14-16 Consultation
Posted on 05 October 2011The National Open College Network (NOCN) have recently published a white paper in response to the Government's consultation paper entitled "Qualifications for 14-16 year olds and Performance... Read more...
New OCNSWR Training Courses for 2011-12
Posted on 03 October 2011We are pleased to announce that we have scheduled further training dates in PTLLS, Internal Quality Assurance (IQA), Creative Assessment, and Contextualisation for the 2011-12 academic... Read more...
NOCN Units Confirmed by SFA for Unit Funding for the Unemployed
Posted on 09 September 2011The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) have recently published a list identifying eligible units confirmed as part of the skills training offer for individuals who are unemployed and need help to enter... Read more...
OCNSWR Update Newsletter September 2011
Posted on 07 September 2011The September edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on SCATT points,... Read more...
Cornwall Community Grants Programme announced
Posted on 25 August 2011Cornwall Development Company, Cornwall Community Foundation and the Cornwall Rural Community Council are pleased to announce that the second round of the Community Grants programme is now available... Read more...
New NOCN Qualifications on the QCF
Posted on 23 August 2011National Open College Network (NOCN) have recently launched two new qualifications for 14-19 learners: Level 1 Award and Certificate in Introduction to Health and Social Care and Children's... Read more...
FREE Leadership and Management Advisory Service
Posted on 19 August 2011Skills South East are offering a free Leadership and Management Advisory Service, new for 2011-12. Companies in the South East and South West with between 2 and 250 employees can apply... Read more...
New Fees and Charges for 2011-12
Posted on 16 August 2011Open College Network South West Region's fees and charges for 2011-12 have now taken effect and are now available to view and download online. Full details can be found on our Fees and Charges... Read more...
OCNSWR YouTube Channel now live
Posted on 12 August 2011We have recently launched our own YouTube channel for our providers and learners to upload footage of their learning experiences and share comments and feedback with others. You can view our current... Read more...
Funding Update from NOCN
Posted on 11 August 2011National Open College Network (NOCN) have published an update on the following funding issues. Adult Safeguarded Learning Funding for Qualifications in Progression (QCF) It... Read more...
OCNSWR Update Newsletter July 2011
Posted on 12 July 2011The July edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on our updated training... Read more...
Preparing Young People for the Future - OCN Schools Paper
Posted on 08 July 2011In these times of economic uncertainty young people need every opportunity to gain the skills required both for successful employment and for accessing further learning. A recently published Open... Read more...
OCNSWR Update Newsletter June 2011
Posted on 27 June 2011The June edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on the Unit Funding... Read more...
QCF Units Confirmed for Unit Funding Trials 2010/11
Posted on 23 June 2011The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) are carrying out Unit Funding Trials to test out the flexibility in terms of modular delivery and credit accumulation and transfer of the Qualifications and Credit... Read more...
Adult Learners' Week Awards Ceremony 2011
Posted on 22 June 2011Further to our recent sponsorship of the Adult Learners' Week Awards Ceremony at Ashton Court in Bristol in May, we are pleased to advise that photographs from the event can now be viewed online. Visit... Read more...
New Access Students' Stories
Posted on 21 June 2011We are delighted to now have a new section dedicated to highlighting the incredible achievements of Access to HE students. Be inspired by stories from Access students who completed their courses,... Read more...
'Access News' Issue 2
Posted on 21 June 2011The second issue of our new Access to HE newsletter is now available in the 'Access News' Newsletters page. The aim of this newsletter is to keep Access colleagues informed and up to date... Read more...
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Posted on 17 June 2011Gloucestershire Performance Reward Grant fund This fund will be used to invest in long term services that will produce improvements and benefits for the wider voluntary and community sector. The... Read more...
Youth Work Level 2 Certificate Funding Under the ALR
Posted on 17 June 2011Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) have confirmed that the Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice is listed as eligible for Adult Learner... Read more...
Qualifications in Progression Eligible for Employer Responsive Train to Gain Funding
Posted on 16 June 2011Following the removal of the operational end date and the setting of a review date of the NOCN Qualifications in Progression to 30/04/2016, the Learning Aim Database (LAD) has now been... Read more...
Access to HE Student wins Adult Learners' Award
Posted on 03 June 2011We are delighted that one of our regional Access to HE learners has recently been awarded an Adult Learners' Week Award. Brett Chard left school at 15 with no qualifications, but having... Read more...
New National Open College Network Qualifications
Posted on 03 June 2011You can now view details of all recently launched National Open College Network (NOCN) qualifications on our New Qualifications webpage. New qualifications now available include Assessor... Read more...
Adult and Community Learning Fund
Posted on 03 June 2011The Adult and Community Learning Fund is a new fund to help make the Big Society a reality. Organisations from across England can bid for their share of £2.25 million from the fund for... Read more...
QAA Report on Access to HE Grading Implementation
Posted on 02 June 2011The QAA have recently released their report on the implementation of grading in the Access to HE Diploma. Following the introduction of a common grading scheme on Access to HE courses in 2009-10,... Read more...
QAA AVA Bulletin May 2011
Posted on 02 June 2011The latest issue of the QAA Access Validating Agencies (AVA) Bulletin is now available to download online. This publication is sent to us, as an AVA, to keep us updated with current... Read more...
Updated Training Programme 2011
Posted on 01 June 2011We are pleased to announce that the new NOCN Internal Quality Assurance qualification (Level 4) is now available through Open College Network South West Region. The first run of this qualification... Read more...
New OCN Fees and Charges Announced
Posted on 26 May 2011Open College Network South West Region's fees and charges for 2011-12 have been announced and are now available to view and download online. Please note - new charges take effect from 1st August... Read more...
OCNSWR Update Newsletter
Posted on 25 May 2011The May edition of our Open College Network South West Region Update newsletter is now available on our Newsletters page. This month's Update has important information on amendments to the... Read more...
OCNSWR Sponsors Adult Learners' Week Regional Awards 2011
Posted on 20 May 2011Open College Network South West (OCNSWR) is delighted to have once again been invited to be the headline sponsor for the Adult Learners’ Week Awards Ceremony in the South West. The Chair... Read more...
Update on NOCN Qualifications in Progression
Posted on 05 May 2011We are delighted to confirm that the NOCN Qualifications in Progressions (QiP) have now been extended, with a review end date of 30th April 2016. After overwhelming support from... Read more...
New Access News is launched!
Posted on 07 February 2011We are delighted to announce that the very first issue of OCNSWR’s new Access to HE newsletter is now available in the Access to HE news section. The aim of this newsletter is to keep Access... Read more...
Update on IT units in Step UP and Progression Qualifications
Posted on 21 December 2010Step UP qualifications E Skills have required that NOCN amend all qualifications using units from the ITQ. This has been done for Step UP, and the amended qualification guide and unit... Read more...
Adult Learners Week Awards 2011
Posted on 13 December 2010Nominations are now open for the Adult Learners’ Week Awards 2011. The Awards celebrate all kinds of learning and recognise the achievements of extraordinary adults who have transformed their... Read more...
IT units in Step UP and Progression Qualifications
Posted on 26 November 2010Step UP qualifications E Skills have required that NOCN amend all qualifications using units from the ITQ. This has been done for Step UP and the amended qualification guide and unit lists... Read more...
Withdrawal of Old IT Units from Step-UP Qualifications
Posted on 22 October 2010Changes in availability of ICT units As part of the switch required by e-skills (the Sector Skills Council for IT), NOCN is replacing the current ITQ Mark 1 units in the Step-UP qualifications... Read more...
Exemptions, Equivalents and Credit Transfer
Posted on 22 October 2010Exemptions For learners to be able to claim exemption units within a QCF Qualification, using evidence of certificated non QCF achievement, it must be stated within the Rules of Combination... Read more...
New Qualifications Approved in the QCF
Posted on 21 October 2010The following qualifications have recently been approved within the QCF: NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Training for Youth Work (QCF) NOCN Level 2 Award in Developing Skills for Employment... Read more...
NOCN Qualifications Eligible for ALR Funding
Posted on 28 June 2010The NOCN QCF qualifications listed below have been approved for ALR funding for the remainder of 2009-2010 and for 2010-2011. The list includes four full Level 2 qualifications: NOCN Level... Read more...
OCNSWR Seeks New Board Members
Posted on 24 July 2009The Open College Network South West Region (OCNSWR) is a qualification and accreditation awarding body, operating under licence from the National Open College Network. We are an Authorised... Read more...