Meet the trainer. Find out more about NVQ Assessor Kerry Fellowes
Kerry Fellowes is involved in
assessing teaching assistants undertaking
NVQs. Before joining Bedford College, she worked as a trainer
for five years at a secondary school and for private training
companies Jemcare and JGA Group. Kerry is a member of the
Institute for Learning (IFL), holds the NVQ Assessor
Awards, (A1/ A2), and her
experience focuses on teaching assistants, childcare and some
ITQ.
Kerry visits teaching assistants in their schools to assess them
on three occasions. One visit is a detailed health and safety
tour and the following two observations are based around literacy,
numeracy or ICT. She said,
“As an assessor, I am available to talk to candidates at any
time. I can help put them at ease, guide them through the
underpinning knowledge via workshops and undertake one-to-one
tutorial sessions to constructively feedback on assignments.”
Teaching assistants also need to provide evidence of activities
that are not easily observed by the assessor in the form of a
written witness testimony. This witness testimony is from
others in the school, for example teachers or SENCo and it is very
important that it is provided throughout the duration of the
course.
In addition, teaching assistants need to complete written
assignments based on knowledge criteria. A professional
discussion covers some of the knowledge required for this and a
mentor is also very helpful to the candidate. The mentor could be a
teacher, SENCo or line manager, depending on the candidate’s
role. Kerry added,
“Because all the NVQ learning is in the workplace, everything is
relevant to the teaching assistants’ day-to-day roles and they can
implement what they have learnt straight away. I find it
really rewarding to see how the candidates I work with gain
confidence and develop their skills as they progress through the
course. And so many get the learning bug and go on to take
even more qualifications!”
For more information on NVQs please visit: www.bedfordtrainingservices.co.uk
or speak to a Business Development Adviser on 0300 011 2344.