Senior florist

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the senior florist apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.

Senior florist apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A full-time senior florist apprentice typically spends 21 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.

The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.

An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).

This EPA has 3 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are below.

Assessment method 1 - knowledge test:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - practical assessment with questions:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 3 - presentation with questions:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 3 months.

The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice is occupationally competent. That is, they are deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.

The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

They must:

• confirm they are ready to take the EPA
• have achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• submit a design theory and practical techniques booklet for the practical assessment with questions

The design theory and practical techniques booklet should contain evidence that can be referenced against the knowledge and skills. Evidence should include a written explanation along with supporting photographs and sketches if applicable, for each of the knowledge and skills identified.

The employer will validate the design theory and practical techniques booklet and confirm to the EPAO that this is the apprentice’s own work when submitted.

Gateway evidence must be submitted to the EPAO, along with any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.

The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.

The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.

Overview

In the knowledge test, the apprentice answers questions in a controlled and invigilated environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method.

Short answer questions (SAQs) are open-ended questions used to assess knowledge in an examination. SAQs require either a brief factual (testing knowledge recall) and (or) interpretive (ability to apply learned concepts or knowledge) answer.

Rationale

• it can assess knowledge.
• it is easy to administer.
• it can be completed online and or remotely, providing appropriate controls are in place.
• it has potentially high reliability and validity.
• tests taken in examination conditions are considered to be rigorous and reliable.
• everyone taking the test has the same experience, which enables direct comparisons between apprentices across the country and over time.
• a question bank can be used which helps to ensure that the difficulty of the tests remains stable over time.
• apprentices have the opportunity to explain their thinking and articulate their responses through written tests.
• the use of Short Answer Questions (SAQs) and test structure increases the accessibility of the assessment method.

Delivery

The knowledge test must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

The test can be computer or paper based.

The apprentice must be given at least 14 days’ notice of the date and time of the test.

The test must consist of 21 Short Answer Questions (SAQs) questions and always total 55 marks.

To support comparability, the distribution of marks will be allocated at theme level (see mapping of KSBs to themes) using the design detailed below.

Each theme must include the following:

1.Legislation in the floristry industry (x4 questions, totalling 10 marks overall)

• 2 x SAQs worth 1 mark each
• 1 x SAQ worth 2 marks
• 1 x SAQ worth 6 marks

2.Customer service (x2 questions, totalling 10 marks overall)

• x1 SAQ worth 4 marks
• x1 SAQ worth 6 marks

3.Marketing and display (x4 questions, totalling 10 marks overall)

• x2 SAQs worth 1 mark each
• x1 SAQ worth 2 marks
• x1 SAQ worth 6 marks

4.Working in the floristry industry (x4 questions, totalling 10 marks overall)

• x2 SAQs worth 1 mark each
• x1 SAQ worth 2 marks
• x1 SAQ worth 6 marks

5.Botanical knowledge (x7 questions, totalling 15 marks overall)

• x3 SAQs worth 1 mark each
• x3 SAQs worth 2 marks each
• x1 SAQ worth 6 marks

Responses to SAQs may be one word, a phrase, a sentence or a paragraph and should be reflective of the mark allocation in terms of expected demand. For example, a 1 mark SAQ will typically require either a one word or single sentence response whereas a 2, 4 or 6 mark SAQ response will typically be longer.

Marking scheme and grading guidance

The grading descriptors show both the numerical grade boundaries required for each level of achievement for the written test and the required level of demand for competency. The grading descriptors should be used by EPAOs to create valid and reliable mark schemes.

The marks scheme design and approach can be determined by the EPAO (e.g. either levels based, points based or a mixture). EPAOs should ensure that the questions within the knowledge test mirror the level of demand set by the grading descriptors at the pass level. This should be done by using the same command verb where possible (or a comparable verb, in terms of demand, where not). The grading descriptors should inform the question writing whilst also providing EPAOs with the numerical outcomes required for each level of attainment.

Test administration

The apprentice must have 90 minutes to complete the test.

The test is closed book which means that the apprentice cannot refer to reference books or materials whilst taking the test.

The test must be taken in the presence of an invigilator who is the responsibility of the EPAO. The EPAO must have an invigilation policy setting out how the test must be conducted. It must state the ratio of apprentices to invigilators for the setting and allow the test to take place in a secure way.

The EPAO must verify the apprentice’s identity and ensure invigilation of the apprentice for example, with 360-degree cameras and screen sharing facilities.

Marking

The EPAO must develop a marking scheme for the written response questions. The test must be marked by an independent assessor or marker employed by the EPAO. They must follow the marking scheme produced by the EPAO.

Any incorrect or missing answers get zero marks.

The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the test. The EPAO must ensure standardisation and moderation of tests with written answers.

Assessment location

The apprentice must take the test in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The EPAO must check the venue is suitable.

The test could take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • test specification
  • sample test and mark schemes
  • live tests and mark schemes
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In a practical assessment with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks set by the EPAO. The EPAO decides in which of the simulated environments it takes place. The assessment environment must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because this is a practical occupation that requires knowledge, skills and behaviours to be consistent at the required level and this therefore reflects the real world environment.

reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice

Delivery

The practical assessment with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the practical assessment with questions.

The independent assessor must only observe one apprentice at a time to ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.

The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 days' notice of the practical assessment with questions.

The practical assessment with questions must take 5 hours.

The independent assessor can increase the time of the practical assessment with questions by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.

The practical assessment with questions may take place in parts but must be completed over 1 working day. A working day is typically considered to be 7.5 hours long. The reason for this split is to ensure relevant changes to equipment, cleaning and items can be made in a safe and risk free manner.

The EPAO must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.

The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the practical assessment with questions before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.

The independent assessor must observe the following during the practical assessment:

The practical will consist of two main parts:

Part 1:

Construct 4 floral designs

The independent assessor must observe the following during the practical assessment:

a demonstration of techniques to construct 4 different floral designs. The independent assessor must ask 8 questions during the practical assessment. The independent assessor may ask the questions at any point during the practical assessment whilst remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

Part 1 will last 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Part 2:

Questions focused on the design theory and practical techniques booklet.

To support the assessment of the mapped KSBs breadth, the practical will be supported by an underpinning design theory and practical techniques booklet.

The design theory and practical techniques booklet is submitted at Gateway and is used to complement and underpin the practical assessment.

The design theory and practical techniques booklet must contain annotated examples of all of the techniques and methods detailed for K7-K14 and S8-16. The annotations should detail what techniques were used and how they were applied.

The independent assessor will review the content of the design theory and practical techniques booklet prior to the practical assessment and bring it to the venue on the day of the assessment. The independent assessor will not directly assess the design theory and practical techniques booklet. Instead, they will use the contents to formulate questions in context of the choices made by the apprentice in the practical demonstration to assess techniques, as detailed in the KSBs, that have not been observed during part 1 of the assessment.

Following the practical assessment, additional questions will be asked in regard to the design theory and practical techniques booklet. This questioning session will last for 30 minutes. The independent assessor has the discretion to increase the time of the questioning session by up to 10% to allow the apprentice to complete their last answer. A minimum of 8 questions will be asked by the independent assessor, these questions will be formed around areas considered to be not covered in the practical assessment and will be devised by the independent assessor. These questions along with the practical assessment will ensure a minimum of 20 items listed in K7-K14 and S8-S16 have been covered.

Part 2 will last for 30 minutes.

Together, part 1 and part 2 will assess the following themes:

• Attaching techniques
• Plant manipulation techniques
• Wiring techniques
• Water retention techniques
• Floral designs
• Constructing floral designs safely

These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The independent assessor must ask questions. The purpose of the questions is to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors.

The total duration of the practical is 5 hours and the time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time. The total time for the practical element is 270 minutes. The time allocated for questioning is 30 minutes.

The independent assessor must ask 8 questions in part 1 and 8 questions in part 2. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training.

The independent assessor can ask follow-up questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the practical assessment with questions.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the practical assessment and responses to questions holistically when deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs observed
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The practical assessment with questions must take place in a simulated environment selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s premises, a training provider’s premises, a training facility in the employer’s premises, a test centre or a similar simulated environment. This simulated environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment. Equipment and resources needed for the practical assessment with questions must be confirmed to be available by the EPAO, who can liaise with the employer to provide these. They must be in good and safe working condition.

Questioning that occurs after the practical assessment with questions should take place in a suitable environment for example a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

Additional venue requirements that must be in place include:

The venue must have:

• A workbench which is at least 90cm high (or which meets the specific requirements of the candidate for health and safety purposes)
• Easily accessible water facilities
• A safe working environment (including welfare facilities)
• Suitable working temperatures
• Suitable industrial flooring
• Suitable lighting
• Quiet distraction free environment.
• Working table and chair for assessor
• Fresh materials and sundries

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of tasks and questions in the case of re-sits and retakes, to minimise predictability.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the practical assessment with questions:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In the presentation with questions, the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because: it is the most effective way to show the knowledge and skills required for event planning and the most realistic way to replicate the real world.

Delivery

The presentation with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the presentation with questions.

The presentation must cover:

The presentation must be focused on an external floral design event (for example, Wedding, Anniversary Party, Birthday Party, Religious Ceremony, Formal Dinner, Corporate Party, Exhibition, Conference, Promotional event) that includes a minimum of 3 designs. The event must not be a past event for which the planning and (or) the event itself has already taken place prior to the apprentice entering gateway. This is because the KSBs being assessed are testing the competency of the apprentice and their ability to plan for an external floral event. It is therefore acceptable if the event is due to take place after the completion of the apprenticeship as it is not a requirement that the event itself has taken place in order to meet the assessment criteria.

The presentation must cover the following criteria:-.

• planning of an external floral design event with a minimum of 3 designs included.
• communication with the customer and colleagues.
• budgeting of the event.
• merchandising for the event.
• Coaching, mentoring and supervising for an external floral design event.

The purpose of the presentation is to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their competence against the grading descriptors.

The apprentice must submit any presentation materials to the EPAO by the end of week 4 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation.

During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:

• audio-visual presentation equipment
• computer

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review any presentation materials, before the presentation is delivered by the apprentice, to allow them to prepare questions. The EPAO must give the apprentice at least 14 days' notice of the presentation assessment.

The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.

The purpose of the questioning is to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors.

The presentation and questions must last 45 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 15 minutes and questioning lasting 30 minutes. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor can increase the total time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.

The apprentice may choose to end any assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end any assessment methods early (unless in an emergency). The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end any assessment early.

The independent assessor must ask at least 6 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the presentation and answers to questions holistically when deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs demonstrated
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. The presentation with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

Additional venue requirements that must be in place include:

Must have access to computer and suitable screen and chair and table for assessor

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the presentation with questions:

• independent assessor EPA materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

An independent assessor must individually grade the knowledge test, practical assessment with questions and presentation with questions in line with this EPA plan.

The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.

If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they will be awarded an overall fail.

To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. A distinction will be awarded if a candidate achieves 3 distinctions.

Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.

If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does. The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 4 months of the EPA outcome notification.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.

EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.

They must also appoint independent assessors who:

• have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 4 gained in the last 2 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
• meet the following minimum requirements:
  • hold an independent assessor qualification.
  • hold a minimum level 4 higher diploma in professional floristry qualification

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• assessing multiple apprentices simultaneously where the assessment method permits this

• using the employer’s premises

This apprenticeship aligns with:

• Institute of Professional Florists for Senior Florist Member