Leadership Level 6

The Leadership Award develops knowledge of leadership skills, styles and qualities. It is designed for learners who take, or plan to take, a leading role for an activity. The Award allows individuals to build self confidence and self esteem and encourages learners to respect the cultures and beliefs of others working alongside them. This course is worth 24 SCQF points.

As part of Leadership you will also gain a qualification in Barista.

Why study Barista?

This course is designed to develop the practical skills, knowledge, and understanding required to operate effectively as a barista within a commercial hospitality environment. It provides learners with the competence and confidence to prepare and serve a range of coffee beverages to an industry standard. Barista is a  Level 5 qualification worth 6 SCQF points.

In the Unit Leadership: An Introduction you will be able to consider your potential for taking on a leadership role. You will gather information about leadership principles, styles, skills and qualities used both in the past and at present. Examples may be drawn from well-known historical events, current political or other high profile individuals in the media or from your local community. These different examples may help inform your views about what makes an effective leader. You will think about your own qualities, skills and experience in relation to leadership. This may help you to think about styles of leadership you may wish to adopt in leadership roles.

In the Unit Leadership in Practice you will be expected to further develop your potential for leadership by leading a small group of people in planning and carrying out a practical project or activity.  This may be a stand-alone activity or it may be part of a bigger project and it should, where possible, contribute to the wider school community. On completion of the activity you will have time to reflect on its success and consider carefully the contribution you have made to this. You will also reflect on what you have learned about yourself as leader.

Throughout each of the above Units you will be expected to work largely on your own initiative and without guidance from your tutor, but you may use your tutor as a sounding board for ideas you may have and to support you in completing the assessment.  As with other subjects at this level, it is normal that a significant amount of time out with class is required to complete the award successfully – on average, 5 hours per week to complete their leadership award. 

You must show that you have thought about and completed a number of steps that will enable you to develop both your knowledge of and abilities in leadership. You will do this by completing assessment activities which could include

• researching the principles skills, styles, qualities of leadership and the effectiveness of different leaders

• producing a report based on your research

• evaluating your own potential for leadership

• leading the planning and carrying out of an activity role play

• drawing conclusions about your own effectiveness as a leader

As a result of completing this Award you will be better prepared for undertaking a leadership role, whether this is in the workplace, education or within the voluntary sector.

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

·       Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of coffee beans, origins, processing methods, and flavour characteristics, and explain how these factors influence beverage quality.

·       Prepare and extract espresso to the required specification, adjusting grind, dose, and extraction parameters to achieve consistency.

·       Texture and handle milk safely and effectively, producing microfoam suitable for a range of drinks.

·       Prepare and serve a variety of espresso‑based beverages in line with organisational standards and customer expectations.

·       Apply current food‑safety, hygiene, and health‑and‑safety requirements relevant to a barista workstation.

·       Carry out routine cleaning, maintenance, and safe operation of espresso machines and grinders, following manufacturer and organisational procedures.

·       Demonstrate effective customer‑service skills, including communication, order‑taking, and managing customer interactions in a professional manner.

·       Work efficiently within a commercial workflow, organising tasks, maintaining service speed, and contributing to a positive team environment.

·       Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance within a hospitality setting.

To gain the  Leadership award you must successfully complete:

Leadership: An Introduction (Higher) (SCQF level 6) 20 hours

Leadership in Practice (Higher) (SCQF level 6) 40 hours

Assessment for Barista is designed to allow learners to demonstrate competence in both knowledge and practical skills required of a barista working in a commercial environment. Assessment approaches typically include a combination of practical observation, questioning, and short written or oral evidence.

Learners will be required to demonstrate that they can:

• Set up and operate espresso machines and grinders safely and correctly

• Prepare and extract espresso to the required specification

• Texture milk to an appropriate standard for a range of beverages

• Produce and present a selection of espresso‑based drinks consistently

• Maintain hygiene, workflow, and safe working practices throughout service

• Carry out routine cleaning and maintenance tasks

Assessment is normally conducted in a realistic working environment or a simulated café setting that reflects industry expectations. Performance will be observed and assessed against defined standards of competence.