How is the course structured and how hard is it?

The course consist of three units validated through the National Open College Network which specialises in providing accreditation tailored to meet the needs of specific groups of adult learners. Obtaining a certificate does not depend on a "sudden death" examination where candidates pass or fail.

Assessment is through a series of tasks that you tackle while working through the course. There are no formal tests, but you will be observed giving a short talk. Although you will largely teach yourself on this course, tutorial support is available to answer your queries.

The units are:

Unit 1:
Preparing for Farm Visits

Unit 2:
Food, Farming and the Countryside in the National Curriculum

Unit 3:
Talking to Pupils, Students and Teachers

Each unit consists of a small range of topics through which you will be guided. As to hardness, the best guide is to look at the nine assessment tasks you must complete successfully to be eligible for the CEVAS certificate:

Unit	Assessment Tasks	Work to be Produced
1	1. Preparation of a farm profile	The farm profile
	2. Components of an information sheet	An itemised checklist
	3. Preparation of a risk assessment	A sample risk assessment
	4. Preparation of a farm visit evaluation sheet and an outline of how the findings will be analysed.	An evaluation sheet for your farm and a written explanation of how the findings will be analysed.
2	5. Learning Opportunities in the National Curriculum.	Completed proforma
	6. Investigation of a QCA* unit of work or GCSE specification	Highlighted and annotated QCA unit work or GCSE specification
	7. Preparation of a plan of work for a school visit	The plan of work
3	8. Preparing and giving a short talk (approx. 10 minutes) using visual aids	Written 'speaking note'; Live talk observed by trainer.
	9. Construction of a list of searching questions, with suitable responses.	The completed list

* QCA= The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Please note that the required assessment items should reflect your own farm as far as possible.