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Open Awards Keep up to date with all things Access to Higher Education! Welcome to the Open Awards Access to Higher Education page!

This page is the hub of information all things Access to HE from new Diploma developments and policy changes to funding updates and peer-to-peer information sharing. For more information about out Access to HE feel free to post comments here or alternatively you can email the team on [email protected]

It's next week! Are you registered? Join Teri Greaves (our Business Development Manager) and guest speaker Jade Neivens-...
15/10/2026

It's next week! Are you registered?

Join Teri Greaves (our Business Development Manager) and guest speaker Jade Neivens-Brown (Provisions Plus+) on Tuesday 20th October for our SEN forum.

You'll discuss:
✔️ Alternative provision
✔️ Effective collaboration
✔️ Improving outcomes for young people

Register to join the conversation (link in bio).

Nid cymwysterau TGAU yw’r unig opsiwn Gyda chyflwyniad cymwysterau amgen sydd yr un mor drwyadl, ni ddylid ystyried cymw...
13/10/2026

Nid cymwysterau TGAU yw’r unig opsiwn

Gyda chyflwyniad cymwysterau amgen sydd yr un mor drwyadl, ni ddylid ystyried cymwysterau TGAU bellach fel yr unig safon ar gyfer addysg pobl ifanc 14–16 oed.

Yn Open Awards, rydym am wireddu hyn.

Gyda hyblygrwydd wrth wraidd ein dull gweithredu, rydym wedi cynllunio ein cymwysterau 14–16 i:
📌 Grymuso dysgwyr unigol ar hyd eu taith ddysgu eu hunain.
📌 Dangos sgiliau sylfaenol sydd y tu hwnt i lwybrau academaidd traddodiadol.
📌 Datblygu’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt ar gyfer eu camau nesaf a’u cyrchfan arfaethedig.
📌 Dysgu sgiliau galwedigaethol ochr yn ochr â gwybodaeth academaidd.

Cysylltwch â’n tîm yng Nghymru i drafod eich uchelgeisiau o ran y cwricwlwm ac anghenion eich dysgwyr.

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GCSEs are not the only option

With the introduction of alternative yet equally rigorous qualifications, GCSEs should no longer be viewed as the only standard of 14–16 education.

At Open Awards, we want to make this a reality.

With flexibility at the core, we have designed our 14-16 qualifications to:
📌 Empower individual learners along their own learning journey.
📌 Demonstrate fundamental skills that sit outside of traditional academic routes.
📌 Build the skills they need for their next steps and intended destination.
📌 Learn vocational skills alongside academic knowledge.

Get in touch with our Wales team to discuss your curriculum ambitions and learner needs.

📣 Cydnabyddwch gryfderau eich dysgwyr gyda’n Saesneg Sylfaenol o Lefel Mynediad - Lefel 1.Wedi’i gynllunio i helpu dysgw...
12/10/2026

📣 Cydnabyddwch gryfderau eich dysgwyr gyda’n Saesneg Sylfaenol o Lefel Mynediad - Lefel 1.

Wedi’i gynllunio i helpu dysgwyr i ddangos eu cryfderau unigol, mae Saesneg Sylfaenol yn galluogi dysgwyr i gyflawni ar lefelau gwahanol ar draws gwahanol gydrannau, a hynny oll o fewn un cymhwyster.

Gydag asesiadau sy’n seiliedig ar gyd-destunau bywyd go iawn sy’n berthnasol i’r dysgwr, gall dysgwyr ddatblygu sgiliau y gallant eu cymhwyso mewn gwahanol gyd-destunau a thrwy wahanol ddulliau cyfathrebu.

Yn Open Awards, mae gennym flynyddoedd o brofiad o ddatblygu a chyflwyno cymwysterau rheoledig sy’n cefnogi dysgwyr amrywiol. Fel corff dyfarnu nid-er-elw, rydym wedi ymrwymo i greu llwybrau hyblyg sy’n galluogi mwy o ddysgwyr i gyflawni a symud ymlaen.

Wrth i ysgolion a darparwyr gynllunio ar gyfer mis Medi 2027, edrychwn ymlaen at weithio ledled Cymru i gefnogi’r gwaith o gyflwyno’r cymwysterau newydd hyn.

Cysylltwch â’n tîm yng Nghymru i drafod eich uchelgeisiau o ran y cwricwlwm ac anghenion eich dysgwyr.

Mae’r manylion terfynol yn amodol ar gymeradwyaeth Cymwysterau Cymru.

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📣 Recognise your learners’ strengths with our Entry Level - Level 1 Foundation English.

Designed to help learners demonstrate their individual strengths, Foundation English allows learners to achieve at different levels across different components, all within one qualification.

And, with assessments based on real-world and learner-relevant contexts, your learners will be equipped to apply these skills to different contexts and communication methods.

At Open Awards, we have years of experience developing and delivering regulated qualifications that support diverse learners. As a not-for-profit awarding organisation, we're committed to creating flexible pathways that enable more learners to achieve and progress.

As schools and providers plan for September 2027, we're looking forward to working across Wales to support the delivery of these new qualifications.

Get in touch with our Wales team to discuss your curriculum ambitions and learner needs.

Final details are subject to Qualification Wales approval.

How can Open Awards support learners with dyslexia?For  , we’re highlighting some of the ways our qualifications and pat...
09/10/2026

How can Open Awards support learners with dyslexia?

For , we’re highlighting some of the ways our qualifications and pathways can support different learning needs.

Designed with diverse learners in mind, many of our qualifications offer flexibility in how learners develop their skills, demonstrate their progress and work towards meaningful outcomes.

This can include:
☑️ Flexible assessment options, including portfolio-based assessment
☑️ Practical, skills-based learning
☑️ Different levels and starting points
☑️ Options to tailor programmes to individual learners’ needs
☑️ Recognition of a wider range of achievements
☑️ Clear progression routes and outcomes
☑️ Manageable qualification sizes

From Functional Skills and Skills for Further Learning and Employment (SFLE) to our Skills Passport, there are different options to help providers build learning programmes around their learners.

Want to find out more? Discover our qualifications on our website (link in bio).

What an honour!  We were delighted to welcome Peter Oliver OBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside to Open Awards today. A...
08/10/2026

What an honour!

We were delighted to welcome Peter Oliver OBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside to Open Awards today.

As The King’s representative in Merseyside, Peter works with communities and organisations across the region, celebrating their achievements and the contribution they make to the county.

During his visit, we had the opportunity to introduce Peter to our team, share more about our work as an awarding organisation, supporting providers and learners across the UK.

Thank you to Peter for taking the time to visit us and learn more about Open Awards.

Ensure your assessment decisions are fair, reliable and consistent!Over the coming weeks, we are hosting a range of esse...
07/10/2026

Ensure your assessment decisions are fair, reliable and consistent!

Over the coming weeks, we are hosting a range of essential standardisation sessions for our providers, including workshops focused on:
✔️ Functional Skills
✔️ Pharmacy
✔️ Access to HE

Have you signed up?

Register on our website (link in bio).

📣 Gweminar sydd ar ddod!Dewch i ddarganfod ein cymwysterau 14–16 newydd i Gymru ar 7 Hydref am 4pm.Dyma gyfle gwych i dd...
06/10/2026

📣 Gweminar sydd ar ddod!

Dewch i ddarganfod ein cymwysterau 14–16 newydd i Gymru ar 7 Hydref am 4pm.

Dyma gyfle gwych i ddysgu mwy a gofyn unrhyw gwestiynau sydd gennych. Bydd Geraint Turner, ein Rheolwr Datblygu Busnes yng Nghymru, yn rhannu:
✔️ Ein cymwysterau 14–16 newydd i Gymru
✔️ Dylunio ac asesu cyrsiau hyblyg
✔️ Sut y gall Open Awards eich cefnogi

Cofrestrwch ar ein gwefan

📣 Upcoming webinar!

Discover our new 14–16 qualifications for Wales on 7th October at 4pm.

It’s the perfect chance to learn more and ask any questions you may have. Geraint Turner, our Business Development Manager for Wales, will share:
✔️ Our new 14–16 qualifications for Wales
✔️ Flexible course design and assessment
✔️ How Open Awards can support you

Don't miss out. Register on our website.

Celebrating teachers who make a difference!  🎉 This  , we want to say a huge thank you to the teachers and educators acr...
05/10/2026

Celebrating teachers who make a difference! 🎉

This , we want to say a huge thank you to the teachers and educators across our provider network.

Every day, you help learners build knowledge, develop new skills, grow in confidence and take meaningful steps towards their future.

Do you know a teacher or educator who deserves a thank-you? Tag them in the comments and tell us how they’ve made a difference.

🔍 Making quality and compliance easier with Quality Quarterly.From regulatory updates to practical guidance, Quality Qua...
02/10/2026

🔍 Making quality and compliance easier with Quality Quarterly.

From regulatory updates to practical guidance, Quality Quarterly helps Open Awards providers stay informed, prepared and up to date with the latest requirements, including:
✔️ The latest regulatory updates
✔️ Practical guidance
✔️ Best practice advice
✔️ Ready-to-use templates
✔️ Key policy requirements
✔️ Important dates and deadlines
And it’s exclusively available to Open Awards providers.

Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek at some of the practical advice included in our latest issue.

Swipe across to take a look.

What’s on in October? From chances to discuss best practice to essential quality sessions, we have a range of events of ...
01/10/2026

What’s on in October?

From chances to discuss best practice to essential quality sessions, we have a range of events of both new and existing providers this month.
✔️ Forums
✔️ Standardisations
✔️ Qualification overviews
✔️ Drop-ins
✔️ Training
Have you signed up?

Register on our website:

➡️ https://openawards.org.uk/training-events/

Address

17 De Havilland Drive, Speke
Liverpool
L248RN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441514942072

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