Quality Assurance
A copy of our latest accreditation report from ODLQC can be seen on
the ODLQC website. In it, the Chief executive, David Morley, states: "Little
Arthur is an excellent example of how a small provider with understanding
of education, and a clear commitment to quality, can develop a distance
learning provision worthy of accreditation."
As part of the accreditaion process, courses - materials, support and
marking - are assessed by experts in the specific subject area. Of our
IGCSE English course, the assessor writes: "The materials are satisfactory
in every way. Explanations of the course and the example materials showing
what work is needed to achieve various grades are excellent and would
leave both students and Home Educators in no doubt as to expectations."
(There)" is good and interesting material throughout, with clarity
of explanation and ease of use. It is clear that the specialist teacher
is in full command of her subject and offers enthusiastic support.
Where a student has made errors, these are readily corrected with good
explanation. All comments are encouraging and appropriate without being
laboured. This is some of the best marking I have seen. There is clarity,
consistency and, above all, good constructive criticism. The marks are
absolutely on target and there are no confusions for the students or Home
Educators."
Adding a touch of "green" to education.
It is not coincidental that Little Arthur Independent is based on a small
ecological farm. The school was originally set up to provide a more environmentally
inspired education for island children, one in which care of and concern
for the natural world was put high on the agenda as a topic of primary
importance for the future generation. Our courses reflect this concern
for the environment. Our Key Stage 3 English courses, for instance, are
built around subjects worthy of consideration so that children learn not
only how to read and write but are challenged to think more deeply about
the ethics of how the environment and other people are treated. We include
work on deforestation, the destruction of rural communities and Fair Trade.
At IGCSE level, we are almost unique in offering an Environmental Management
course for the 14-16 age group. This challenges young people to understand
how eco-systems work, how man uses and, often, abuses these systems and
requires them to tackle these thorny issues, balancing conflicting demands.
Again, we are almost the only UK college offering IGCSE Agriculture. Although
this course does require that students sit their exams at our centre in
the Isles of Scilly, it provides an opportunity for those interested in
farming to learn how animals and crops can be nurtured, the basics behind
farm buildings and infrastructure and even a grounding in farm accounting
systems.
In offering these packs, we seek to make available to younger students
courses more dedicated to sustainable/green ideals and provide a positive
and practical alternative for students and parents committed to these
principles
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