Compass Learning builds qualification pathways around each learner's starting point, interests and future goals. Academic, creative and practical learning can sit alongside mentoring within one coordinated programme, helping young people rebuild confidence, maintain educational continuity and work towards recognised achievement.
Every pathway is selected, scoped and adapted during assessment — the right level, the right awarding body and the right balance of academic, creative and practical learning for that individual.
NOCN
Practical English and maths qualifications for everyday life, further learning and employment.
Read the pathway02
Trinity College London
A creative route that builds confidence, practical skills, reflection and the ability to share achievements.
Read the pathway03NOCN
Personal development, employability and vocational learning combined into one qualification programme.
Read the pathwayThese qualifications develop practical English and maths for everyday life, further learning and employment. Available levels are Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3, followed by Levels 1 and 2. Compass confirms the appropriate level and available delivery arrangements during assessment.
The appropriate level and delivery arrangements are confirmed during assessment.
English
Reading and understanding information, writing clearly for different purposes, and speaking, listening and communicating. Practical learning may include understanding instructions, writing emails and applications, discussing ideas and communicating confidently.
Separate components
English includes separate reading, writing, and speaking, listening and communicating requirements.
Maths
Applying number skills, measures, shape and data to practical situations. Learning may include money, budgeting, time, measurements and interpreting information, with content and complexity matched to the level.
Compass Learning coordinates exam arrangements, reducing the administrative burden for commissioners and helping learners and families feel prepared. We arrange entries, liaise with suitable assessment centres and provide clear information about assessment dates, locations and what to expect. We also coordinate relevant exam access arrangements with the centre and appropriate professionals, subject to evidence and approval requirements.
Remote assessment may be available where the qualification, centre approval and invigilation requirements permit it.
Arts Award is a creative route that can help learners develop confidence, practical skills, reflection and the ability to share their achievements. Learners explore creative activities, develop their own practice, learn about artists and creative professionals, and record and reflect on their achievements. Leadership and project responsibilities develop at the higher levels.
Discover
Introductory arts certificate
Explore
Entry Level 3
Regulated qualification
Bronze
Level 1
Regulated qualification
Silver
Level 2
Regulated qualification
Gold
Level 3
Regulated qualification
The level is selected according to age eligibility, experience, interests and support needs. Learners do not automatically need to complete every level in sequence.
This pathway combines personal development, employability and vocational learning. Routes may include Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2, subject to the approved offer.
Qualification level and qualification size are different things: an Award is a smaller programme than a Certificate or Diploma — it is not itself a level. Units are selected to form a valid qualification programme; an unrestricted combination of activities does not automatically earn an Award.
The descriptions below are indicative content, not exact unit titles, and do not guarantee that every unit is available at every level.
Communication, personal goals, confidence, managing everyday responsibilities and making decisions.
Example activities: Planning a routine, organising a task, or practising how to ask for help.
Exploring jobs, teamwork, managing time, workplace expectations and preparing for work experience.
Example activities: Researching a role, practising an interview, or reflecting on an employer encounter.
Handling information, organising documents, communicating with customers and completing office tasks.
Example activities: Drafting an email, creating a presentation, practising a reception conversation, or planning an enterprise project.
Using technology for learning and work, finding information, communicating online and staying safe.
Example activities: Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or digital creative projects, according to the selected units.
Art, craft, photography and digital production. Learners plan and produce a creative piece, document their process and evaluate the result. These NOCN units are separate from the Arts Award pathway.
Example activities: Planning and producing a creative piece, documenting the process, and evaluating the result.
Kitchen safety, hygiene, preparing ingredients and making simple food. Practical delivery requires suitable facilities and supervision.
Example activities: Kitchen safety routines, ingredient preparation, and producing a simple dish.
Introductory activities such as hair plaiting, hand care, nail art or basic make-up, alongside hygiene, preparation and client communication. Specific units require suitable expertise, equipment and assessment conditions.
Example activities: Hair plaiting, hand care, nail art, or basic make-up with hygiene and preparation practice.
Introductory practical tasks involving materials, tools and safe working. Examples may include painting, decorating, tiling or basic carpentry, depending on the selected units and available specialist provision.
Example activities: Painting, decorating, tiling, or basic carpentry tasks with safe tool use.
Planting, growing, garden care and using equipment safely, with suitable outdoor facilities.
Example activities: Planting, growing, garden care, and safe equipment use.
The right setting depends on the activity, the learner and the unit requirements.
Most suitable activities can take place at home, in school or at approved community venues. Some tasks require group interaction, specialist facilities or workplace evidence.
Some units, such as hair & beauty, construction, and animal care are available only in certain areas through suitable delivery partners. Specialist practical units cannot automatically be completed at home or online. However, we will always endeavour to find and assess a suitable delivery partner near to the young person's home to support them with accessing this.
All activities depend on the learner's needs, the selected unit requirements, staff expertise, facilities and agreed risk assessments.
Where appropriate, structured activity can support Arts Award or relevant NOCN outcomes while developing communication, teamwork, independence and preparation for the future.
Suitable approved settings may support routine, responsibility, wellbeing and employability outcomes, with welfare procedures and individual risk controls in place.
Studio and creative activity may support Arts Award or relevant personal development and employability units where facilities and assessment arrangements are suitable.
Practical activity may support relevant NOCN units in hospitality, catering, employability and personal development where supervision and facilities are appropriate.
Structured encounters can provide evidence of communication, teamwork, independence and preparation for work when mapped to agreed outcomes.
Specific units, settings, assessment and certification depend on approval, learner suitability, programme design, evidence requirements, location, partner availability and centre capacity. Every proposed partner setting is fully risk assessed and approved before attendance, and the learner attends with a Compass mentor.
How community learning is selected and managed →How progress is evidenced and how long a programme might take.
NOCN skills qualifications use evidence against the selected units' assessment criteria, which may include practical tasks, observation, discussion, written work and portfolios.
Arts Award and Functional Skills timescales are agreed individually. Qualification achievement depends on meeting the relevant assessment requirements.
Entry 3 Award — planning guide
For the introductory Entry 3 Award, 60 hours of total qualification time is a planning guide covering guided and independent learning. A 12-week programme with five relevant learning hours per week is one possible model, not a guaranteed completion period or a universal minimum placement. We therefore advise that for programmes that involve multiple accredited qualifications, a placement of 15 hours per week is commissioned.
A managed qualification pathway, not a set of disconnected sessions.
Tell us about the young person's year group, interests and goals, and we will advise on the most suitable qualification route, level and delivery arrangements.
