Important Information and Frequently Asked Questions - Gold Level
How long is it likely to take my son or daughter to complete the Award? 1
What can count towards the individual sections of the Award? 1
Who can supervise and sign off these sections of the Award? 1
How can I support my son or daughter? 2
What will the training for the Adventurous Journey consist of? 2
The Practice and Qualifying Adventurous Journey and supervision arrangements. 2
What is there to know about the Residential Project? 2
The minimum timescale for completion of the Gold Level is eighteen months although this will depend on each learner’s individual commitment and level of organisation. The upper age limit for the completion of the Award is their 25th birthday. If they do not complete their Award at Nexus but have logged their progress towards any of the different sections, their records can be transferred to a different centre where the Award is offered, anywhere in the world.
Whilst many learners may choose to use activities done at school as part of their CCA or CAS involvement for the Award, others may like to include activities done in clubs, organisations or individually. They will set specific, SMART targets with an appropriate, independent supervisor who will comment on their commitment, efforts and progress at the end of the minimum length of involvement
Please note that it is a requirement of the Award that all activities are supervised and signed off by a competent and independent individual who has specific knowledge in that field. Family members cannot therefore supervise and approve activities in the capacity of an instructor or coach.
Please help your son or daughter to start recording their data early. They need to agree specific targets for engagement and improvement in the activity in which they will be involved, as well as give the contact details of the person who will be supervising them. This includes school based CCAs which may or may not be delivered by teachers at Nexus. In addition, please encourage them to record their progress and to collect evidence of participation in their chosen activities.
Equipment and packing (a packing list will be given to learners at this session).
Food hygiene and cooking.
Campcraft.
Route planning and navigation skills.
First Aid and emergency procedures.
For the Practice and Qualifying Assessed Adventurous Journeys, learners plan their Journey/ Expedition in groups of between 4 and 7. We will help make the arrangements working together with relevant partners with detailed local knowledge, to help ensure the safety of learners. Nexus staff will also accompany participants and will be on hand in the area, in case of emergency. More details will be shared with learners as they plan their expeditions in groups. As there is a higher degree of independence required for the Qualifying Adventurous Journey, participants will not be allowed to take part until they have demonstrated those skills and a knowledge of the use of equipment that they will require to take part safely and successfully in the Qualifying Adventurous Journey.
As well as their other activities, participants take part in a Residential Project which they organise themselves, usually towards the end of their involvement in the Award. Please see this link for further information. As it is a specific requirement that this is completed with people who are unfamiliar to the participants, the Year 12 CAS trip cannot be used for this section of the Award. Further details and ideas can be found at this link. Please note, this is for Gold Level Only.
Please encourage your son or daughter to make use of the Online Record Book Participant App. Both Apple iOS and Android versions can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play Stores respectively. Participants can track and access their information, propose activities, upload evidence and request final approval from our team for the different sections of their Award. This can also be done through the website https://www.onlinerecordbook.org/fo/ .
If you feel you can offer an opportunity for the Service component or other opportunities outside of school we would love to hear from you! Please email us at intaward@nexus.edu.sg and one of our team will be in touch with you.