Integrative Education is education which supports the whole person, incorporating the development of intellectual enquiry, through engaging learners curiosity and imagination, encouraging problem solving and sense making; emotional and social skills; creative sensitivity and practical, applied learning. Assessment is holistic and supports inner well-being and individual progress, embedded within a positive, nurturing learning community. 

Our qualifications

The qualifications we offer:

Crossfields Institute (Extended) Diploma, Certificate and Award in Integrative Education Level 2
Crossfields Institute (Extended) Diploma and Certificate in Integrative Education Level 3

Level 2 Qualifications

The Crossfields Institute IE Level 2 qualification is offered in four different ways:

  • The Award (one module)

  • The Certificate (three modules)

  • The Diploma (any 4-7 modules)

  • The Extended Diploma  (any 8+ modules)

The modules:

  1. Independent Project

  2. Creative Thinking Skills

  3. Personal and Social Learning Skills

  4. Language and Literature

  5. Mathematics

  6. Natural Sciences

  7. Art, Craft and Design

  8. Digital Futures*

  9. Modern Foreign Language*

  10. Physical Education

  11. Movement*

  12. Global Awareness

  13. Performing Arts

*not currently offered at The Grove

Portfolio-based, broad, collaborative and reflective of the individual, learners gain credits for a wide range of skills and achievements, including project work, team work, presentations, overcoming obstacles, performance, creative work, discussion, practical work, applied sciences and academic writing. Every module requires intellectual enquiry, independent study and active engagement.

Learners need to be willing and able to take responsibility for their learning, engage in a wide range of tasks and be responsive to assessor feedback.

This qualification is Ofqual registered and as such is recognised as a valid national qualification, with each module equivalent to 1 GCSE. Most colleges and universities prefer students to also have GCSEs in Maths and English to access further and higher education courses, some courses require a Science GCSE. Further information on application criteria for individual courses will be available via the college and university websites.

Level 3 qualifications

The Crossfields Institute IE Level 3 qualification is offered in three different ways:

  • The Certificate (Modules 1-3, or any other module)

  • The Diploma (Modules 1-3 plus any 3 other modules, or any 4 modules from module 4-13)

  • The Extended Diploma  (Modules 1-3 plus any 4+ other modules, or any 5+ modules from module 4-13)

The modules:

  1. Action Research Methods

  2. Independent Inquiry Project

  3. Inner Development Practice

  4. Perspectives and Narratives

  5. Community and Culture

  6. Ecological Connections

  7. Regenerative Economics

  8. Language and Literature

  9. Natural Sciences

  10. Performance, Movement and Expression

  11. Art, Craft and Design

  12. Digital Futures*

  13. Mathematics*

*not currently offered at The Grove

Portfolio-based, with opportunity for critical analysis, immersive learning, creativity, performance and practical work, learners engage in a wide range of assessed work including group debate and discussion, presentations, art works, reflective practice and performance. The curriculum is designed to incorporate individual, collaborative and community-focused projects, preparing students to become active, responsive, resourceful and heartful adults.

Learners need to show capacity for intellectual enquiry, self-reflection, independent study and responsible learning habits. We would normally expect a student to have achieved a Level 2 qualification previously to starting Level 3.

This qualification is Ofqual registered and as such is recognised as a valid national qualification, with the first three modules and every other module thereafter equivalent to ½ an A-Level. Each of these modules (the first three grouped together, and thereafter individually) is known as a Certificate, each with its own UCAS points (8 for a Pass, 16 for a Merit, 24 for a Distinction, 28 for a Distinction*). Some universities prefer students to also have GCSEs in Maths and English, some courses require a Science. Further information on application criteria for individual courses will be available via the university websites.

NB – You can look up the qualifications on the UCAS website, under ‘CFI Level 3 Certificate in Integrative Education’ plus each individually named module (eg Art Craft and Design, Ecological Connections)

We offer two pathways for the achievement of the above qualifications:

The Grove Learning Programme

For individuals age 13-18 who wish to learn as part of a social group and wider learning community, with opportunity to gain the full extended diploma, or any of the above listed qualification options.

Students are supported toward achieving their own personal goals, assessed holistically as part of a strong, nurturing, positive learning community. The qualifications and assessments are embedded within our three-day programme for the Level 2 students, while Level 3 students are expected to complete in depth independent study and practice outside of The Grove learning programme.

The programme for these years at The Grove incorporates:

  • Theme Sessions focused on one core theme for 4-6 weeks (example themes for Level 2 are Poetry and Prose; Anatomy; History; Geography; Regenerative Agriculture; example themes for Level 3 are History of Art; Ecology; Parzival; Philosophy; Regenerative Crafts)

  • Subject sessions in Music, Games and Movement, Art, Humanities and Farming; Level 3 students also study Human Sciences

Grove graduates from Level 2 have gone on to study A-Levels and other Level 3 qualifications at local sixth form colleges, community volunteering and employment, as well as continued at The Grove into our Level 3 courses.

Grove graduates from Level 3 have been accepted to UK Universities (Durham, Sussex, St Andrews, Falmouth, UWE), Art Foundation courses, the International Youth Initiative Programme and employment.

Cost for our learning programme in the diploma years: £6180 per year per student

External Candidates

For individuals who want to gain a qualification in a particular area and who want to pursue their own independent studies, but would like to gain accreditation for their studies. These could be home educating young people, or adults who wish to pursue a particular line of study.

We would particularly recommend that the Independent Project (Level 2) and the Art, Craft and Design modules (Level 2 and 3) lend themselves well to independent study, however we are willing to consider any of the modules as appropriate to the individual.

Individuals will

  • Choose the qualification they wish to work towards

  • Apply to register with The Grove as an external candidate

  • Take responsibility for the achievement of the qualification, with commitment to all aspects including guided learning, portfolio creation, assessments and submission

  • Have regular touch-in meetings (can be online) with a Grove Assessor

The Grove will

  • Assess the suitability of the candidate for the qualification applied for

  • If in agreement, provide an Assessor to work with the candidate

  • Administrate all assessment paperwork including registration and submission to Crossfields Institute

  • Supply the candidate with certification once they have achieved the qualification

There is a £50 non-refundable administration fee per application.

Registration costs £500, which includes all registration, submission and certification costs.

Assessor costs are £40ph, the total cost of this will depend on how much support and assessment is needed for the student. We would normally expect this to cost between £400 and £1000 in total.  A plan will be drawn up upon registration, which will be specific to the individual situation.

Testimonial

—Former student