UkCC level 1 assessment

[besthoofforward]

Has anyone taken the UKCC level 1 assessment and passed without doing the course first? I have extensive experience of teaching children using a child centred approach and I can shadow and get some coaching experience through a riding school I have good links with. £500 seems a lot for a three day course but wondered if anyone has successfully gained the qualification without doing the course? Or if anyone can tell me what the assessment is like and if it would be difficult to get through without having done the specific training? Thanks in advance

 

[Shay]

My daughter has been a test rider for the UKCC - up to level 3 - for years. There does appear to be a very set pattern. It isn't really about being able to teach - its about being able to demonstrate a specific series of responses to the posed challenge. And doing the peripheral bits like being able to explain your dynamic risk assessment. From my perspective the assessment actually favours those who know very little about horses / teaching - especially at level 1. I absolutely accept she has not done the UKCC route - she is an old style BHS AI but without intention to go further as a professional there was no point doing any more. Hopefully you'll get someone alone in a Mo who has done.

I suspect it is a bit like the advanced driving test. You could do it without the training - but there are nuances they expect to see which might be more easily demonstrable with it. But shadowing an already UKCC qualified coach who can help you with those bit would probably do just as well.

 

[sarahann1]

Has anyone taken the UKCC level 1 assessment and passed without doing the course first? I have extensive experience of teaching children using a child centred approach and I can shadow and get some coaching experience through a riding school I have good links with. £500 seems a lot for a three day course but wondered if anyone has successfully gained the qualification without doing the course? Or if anyone can tell me what the assessment is like and if it would be difficult to get through without having done the specific training? Thanks in advance

I taught at a riding school for almost 8yrs and I still did mine with the course, I'd say the training is really valuable. I disagree with the other poster who say the assessment favours who know very little. You're tested on aspects of horsemanship knowledge (feeding, skeleton, etc) beyond just coaching. You also have to submit a portfolio of work which needs completed before the assessment day which is examined and you are then verbally tested on your knowledge. It's very much based on coaching, using a question and answer approach with the riders rather than 'telling' them.

You'd be expected to have 2 lesson plans ready for the day and be able to both teach and discuss them with the examiner saying what you want your riders to achieve, why it's good bad, any weaknesses in the plan etc. I doubt many places would accept folk straight to assessment as I don't think it's set up to be done this way.

I did mine via HorseScotland, they have some really useful information about it and what's required. http://www.horsescotland.org/coaching/ukcc/level-1/

 

[OldieButGoodie]

I did my UKCC Level 1 and Level 2. It was hard work and I only worked part time at a riding school rather than full time. I found the course days invaluable but I did get some of it paid through funding at the time.