BHS exam system has finally changed

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teapot

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All here: https://pathways.bhs.org.uk/career-pathways/

The PTT is now part of Stage 2, Stage 3 has a teaching part, and there are now pre-approved/signed off criteria for taking the exams.

Dressage or jumping routes from Stage 3 onwards too.


Reminds me more of the current UKCC system, but looks positive. Can't decide whether there's less to be examined on in the 2 Care or not than before?
 
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Looking at just the stage 3 part, the full award as its split into 4 now costs £630 as a total. Blimey.

On the whole I like the arrangement of the exams, the cost is astronomical especially for those already working in the industry on a low wage without funding.
 
Farma said:
Looking at just the stage 3 part, the full award as its split into 4 now costs £630 as a total. Blimey.

On the whole I like the arrangement of the exams, the cost is astronomical especially for those already working in the industry on a low wage without funding.
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I'm in a state of shock about this: I though I had only one assessment to go, Stage 3 Care and Riding and I would have the full AI.

Now I find out that I have four assessments to go at more than double the cost, and that the BHS has now decided that my UKCC Level 2 apparently means nothing to them.

On the plus side, at least you can become a Stage 3 Coach without having to pass the Stage 3 jump unit (if I have read the scant information correctly).
 
Having spend quite a few hours getting my head around the new system, here's my two pennies. Over all I think it clarifies the system a lot and makes it look more like a continuous process than something that ends up at S3 + PTT for most...

- Anyone who has passed their PTT and successfully submitted their portfolio will be awarded S2 & S3 teaching. So no additional teaching test required for S3 Coach qualification which now places BHSAI.

- S3 units remain similar, although little bit more practical and lot less of theory to remember in the Care section, and syllabus laid out heaps better, so you will actually know what you are meant to be studying rather than shooting in the dark.

- The new cost is high, yes, but if I remember correctly, is fairly comparable to taking the different sections of any give Stage separately. Which a lot of candidates were already doing before the reform. My guess is that they are trying to encourage candidates to be properly prepared for any sections they book for, rather than booking the whole shebang because they get it cheaper.

- They now require BHS Coach (of relevant level) pre-assessment for any assessments above S1. Obviously not a problem for working students, but could mean a lot less independent candidates / candidates working in industry for non-BHS establishments taking the exams. Not sure how many Coaches would be willing to pre-assess candidates not well known to them. How training centres will respond to this will remain to be seen...

- Some of the more time consuming industry relevant sections now need to be pre-assessed by BHS Coach (such as clipping & loading). Again, this will be an issue to those candidates who are not working students at BHS establishments.

- Above two might mean good revenue stream for BHS Accredited Coaches freelancing, especially if they have hairy beasts who stand very patiently while being clipped and have thick skin to deal with candidates who a) got signed off to do the exam but failed on assessment day or b) have to be told they are not up to the standard and won't be signed off.

- The difference between stages has been evened out and Stage 4 looks to be more reachable goal (although full reform will only be published 2018). However with the cost increase & pre-assessment requirements, not sure they'll receive the increase in candidates reaching for the higher levels they are clearly hoping for.

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. I think a huge pressure is now based on Training Centres to get candidates on correct level before the exam, and unfortunately this has a risk of completely closing the doors for anyone not able to train full time.
 
View said:
Stage 2 care content remains exactly the same.

I'm thrilled that the full Stage 1 is not awarded until Ride Safe assessment has been passed.
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Except some of it isn't assessed in the exam, but instead under the 'new coach endorsement' aspect.

The BHS clearly want to decrease the fail rate by making sure people are signed off before taking the new exams too. That and cost, the complete Stage 2 is now £450! Interesting that detailed feedback is mentioned for those that fail too.

See how my boss views it tomorrow...
 
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I think it's a huge step forward. I know the assessors have had to do a lot of training for the new assessments but it certainly doesn't appear the most easily understood system for lay people.

Regarding the cost - I understand it's very expensive but staging an exam is costly and now there are fewer candidates to assessors ratio obviously it will more expensive. Ill health has meant I've had to stop being an assessor but when I was one the pay was not huge, a day's teaching at home would have been shorter and more lucrative.

I hope that now there is no link to UKCC qualifications it doesn't cause a rift between the BHS and various disciplines as I felt UKCC did have a unifying affect, much as I'm not the biggest fan of it's structure.

I also hope the new names are not too wordy - it was easy to say someone was a BHSII now they're a Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship - I wonder if they could just be known as a BHS senior coach?
 
It's taken me a few hours to get my head around it, I've even called the bhs for help understanding it all. I've booked my stage 3 but have no interest in continuing with the bhs now, it's overly complicated, the names are rubbish, it seems like change for the sake of change and to top it all off the costs are astronomical. Who really wants to call themselves a stage 3 coach in complete horsemanship? I will just go down the ukcc route instead, it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of independent students or anyone who can't get employer funding does the same. Whilst the ukcc isn't cheap, it's nothing compared to these new fees. Quite frankly I think the bhs are shooting themselves in the foot.
 
Otherwise said:
It's taken me a few hours to get my head around it, I've even called the bhs for help understanding it all. I've booked my stage 3 but have no interest in continuing with the bhs now, it seems like change for the sake of change and to top it all off the costs are astronomical. I will just go down the ukcc route instead, it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of independent students or anyone who can't get employer funding does the same. Whilst the ukcc isn't cheap, it's nothing compared to these new fees.
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Really? The last student I had who looked at a UKCC was quoted £1200+. Stage 3 complete is now £630 BUT that includes the riding, lunging, care and teaching assessments. Previously the costs were split into Stage 3, and PTT plus portfolio. Yes, some levels are a little more expensive, but they're still not the most expensive by a long way.

What do you find complicated about it? For a long time, people have complained that the old names were not clear enough. The new names may take some adjusting to, but they are far more transparent.
Foundation Coach
Coach
Senior Coach
Performance Coach
Personally I feel these levels are, in general, far more understandable to the average outsider.

Having been to one of the launch days and seen the new system in action, I think these changes are a huge step forward.

Nobody likes change (Casting a woman as Dr Who?! The world will implode on itself surely!!) but some progression is always needed!
 
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