Alternative Qualifications

Up and down like a roller coaster..ICS probably not!

Advantages: Some nice tutors
Disadvantages: Too much to say

Their advert says ICS you can.... I feel ICS you maybe will maybe won't!!! I have so far taken 3 GCSE'S and 1 diploma with ICS... I must add I will no longer be taking any more. *My experience with their GCSE course material.* I will give you a little bit of my background, I left school when I was 13 after being bullied and made to feel extremely unwelcome at the worst excuse for a school ever. My parents rufused to send me to another school ...
...rude comments. I complained to ICS but they didn't bother communicating with me at all! *Experience with ICS Diploma course material* I took a diploma in Journalism with ICS, whilst this material was better than the GCSE material it was still full of spelling mistakes. The information in this course was of a higher standard than the GCSE's material. Again I did let ICS know that there was plenty of spelling mistakes in the material but yet again ...

Little-Princess 26.05.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of ICS Diplomas

Its finally time for me to take my NVQ2 in elderly care.

Advantages: Help me get more knowledge of other issues in my work.
Disadvantages: I hate studying and taking exams but here go's.

...have got a very good NVQ assessor so I know im in good hands. It is nice to know that there are so many carers out there that can express their opinions and experiences with others like myself. For me carework is very hard work but very very rewarding especially when you make a difference to these peoples lives and their families. In fact they do become like family in a way and its nice to have a bond with our residents. They are important people ...

CBAngel 04.05.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of NVQ

"scheidegger don't do it"

Advantages: not started due to a cancelled course
Disadvantages: unable to cancel and never started

...family and friends. Having informed scheidegger the situation they said sorry but you need to send a letter by recorded delivery to cancel, or email , which I did. After several weeks I had letters and phone calls from Barclays Partner Finance asking for money! I asumed this was cancelled and that was the end of it. Scheidegger said that I had missed the 21 day's notice to cancel and they would not refund at all, and said sell it to someone else ...
...before the cut off time. Scheidegger have Barclays Partner Finance money and will not return it to them and I am being chased for the debt as I am named on the agreement. I can not keep a job and look after two children and do this course it is not possiable in a week, This was stated in my letters and still no refund. The only thing I can do is redress this in court, but "Barclays Partner Finance" still keep putting pressure on me by adding £22.50 ...

markpearse 21.08.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Scheidegger

NPLQ - Can you save a life?

Advantages: A skill for life
Disadvantages: none

...it's not a disease--- NPLQ stands for "National Pool Lifeguard Qualification" and it's what you get when you pass the test. It's a professional qualification entitling you to work in any indoor or outdoor pool or leisure centre. I'm sure everyone's seen those strange, usually good looking people (sorry I couldn't resist!) who stand around in public pools for apparently no reason, occasionally telling you to stop running or blowing a whistle. But ...
...believe doing something like the NPLQ is an amazing experience, and I have never regretting doing it. If altruism isn't your thing, then I'll tell you that I've seen jobs for lifeguards in London offering up to £7-£8 per hour. Not bad for a 16 year old! You will have to renew your licence every 2 years, but you have all of those 2 years to do half the amount of training, so it's ok. It also makes a great part time job, if you're at University; it's ...

HungryHungarian 30.08.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of NPLQ - National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

The International Baccalaureate Myth

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Very over rated and misleading.

I was peruaded by my school, in particular my head teacher, to take IB as it is an elite exam for the brightest students. I scored an IB of 38 supposed to be the equivalent of 5 A levels at grade A. I was shock when no university offered me the course I wanted. Having done a lot of research on the IB I now know it is very overated. An IB of 42 Is roughly AAB or AAA depending on subjects studied. I sureyed many universities and employers none of ...

elton89 08.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)