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Turn real-world curiosity into formally recognised achievement.
Selected nature-based AQA Unit Award Scheme units for families who want gentle structure, meaningful evidence and a certificate for completed learning.
You do not need to turn home education into school at home
A child watching bees, growing a seed, following a butterfly or noticing seasonal change is already learning.
The difficult part is not always creating learning. It is recognising what counts, understanding what to record and feeling confident that a real-world experience can be meaningful enough.
Our AQA Unit Award Scheme offer provides a clear framework while leaving room for curiosity, flexibility and the child’s own way of engaging.
What is the AQA Unit Award Scheme?
The Unit Award Scheme allows learners of different ages and abilities to have achievements formally recognised through small, clearly defined units of learning.
A certificate is issued each time a learner successfully completes a unit. The certificate lists the outcomes achieved, creating a simple record of knowledge, skills and experiences.
Unit Award Scheme units are not qualifications and do not contribute towards a qualification. Their value is in recognising progress and achievement in a flexible, accessible way.
A simple five-step process
1. Register with Where the Wild Ones Learn for the current registration period.
2. Choose a unit that connects with your child’s interests.
3. Explore the topic flexibly using the guide, real-life experiences and your child’s own questions.
4. Gather the evidence needed for the stated outcomes and submit it using our guidance.
5. Once the outcomes have been achieved and checked, we make the certificate claim through AQA.
Support for the child and the adult
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A full nature study eBook
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A child’s workbook or learning prompts
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A parent or carer guide
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Clear unit outcomes
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Practical ideas for exploring the topic
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Evidence guidance
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Assessment of submitted evidence and the certificate-claim process
Follow an interest. Start with one unit.
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Bees: understanding and caring for pollinators
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Introduction to plant life
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Exploring caterpillars and butterflies
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Exploring spring
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Exploring summer
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Further nature-based units added as they are approved and ready
This may suit your family if…
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Your child learns best through interests, conversation and real experiences
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You want a gentle structure without a rigid curriculum
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You would value a certificate recording specific achievements
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You want help understanding what evidence can look like
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You are building your own home-education portfolio
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You are supporting a flexible or EOTAS learning pathway
This is recognition, not school pressure
The units are not designed to replace your wider home education, tell you how your child must learn or turn everyday life into constant assessment.
They offer one optional way to recognise selected achievements within a much broader learning journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be a teacher?
No. The parent or carer guide explains the unit outcomes, suggested experiences and evidence process. You will also receive guidance from us about submitting evidence.
Is this an AQA qualification?
No. Unit Award Scheme units are not qualifications and do not contribute towards a qualification. A certificate records the outcomes the learner has successfully achieved.
Does my child have to complete worksheets?
No. Evidence depends on the unit outcome and can include photographs, observations, the child’s words, discussion records, drawings, recordings or completed work. The guide will explain what is needed.
How much evidence is required?
Enough to demonstrate each stated outcome clearly. More evidence is not automatically better. We help families focus on what is relevant.
Can this be part of our home-education records?
Yes. Families may choose to include the unit, evidence and certificate within their own portfolio or records. The scheme does not replace your broader educational approach or any responsibilities that apply to your individual circumstances.
