Scorecard Review

As it has been around two months since my last scorecard review, I decided that another one was due as I have obviously learnt a lot more since mid-January. 

The following criteria below are ones that I have increased my score in since the previous review:

K2 - Ecology - I bumped up my score in this criteria because of what I learned recently while researching the soil triangle, pond habitats, pond weed and how flora that have rhizomes can rapidly overspread

K5 - Common farming practices - I recently was introduced to the aforementioned soil triangle, I also did a blog on the farming calendar

K8 - Countryside legislation - I increased my score on this criteria because of what I learn form the countryside pollution course that I did, which covered some of COSHH regarding how and where fuels, oils and chemicals can be stored as well as the penalties regarding harm/ disruption to invasive species such as newts, badgers and bats

K12 - Map reading - I recently refreshed myself on taking compass bearings recently just to see if I could remember the skill properly from my days as a scout, so even though I haven't had any formal training recently, I can still do it.

K14 - First Aid - I gave myself a large bump in first-aid because I did a course on it recently which covered pretty much any type of first aid situation including: AED usage, asthma, types of bleeding, bones, burns, choking, CPR, diabetes, eye injury, first-aid kits, nosebleeds, seizures, shock, spine injury, stroke, tourniquets, unconsciousness etc

S1 - Manage habitats - Again because of pond-weeding, I learned why leaving weeds around the edges is important in addition to the clear centre. I also learned the importance of taking precautions when tree inspecting with a probing camera as to not disturb wildlife

S6 - Use a range of hand tools and powered tools - I increased my score on this criteria because I recently got taught how to operate a polesaw, cop off limbs etc. I was also shown the basic principles of sharpening chainsaw teeth.

B6 - Communication and behaviour -  I had to work with children while tree-planting one day. While it was a little difficult keeping things under control I dd try my hardest to make sue it was fun and safe for them.

B7 - Safety conscious - I think I gave myself too low of a score for somebody who always wears a safety helmet ;)

I have also had a look at criteria that I am yet to cover with frequency in any assessments and will need to cover at some point to complete the course. These include: 

• K14 - First Aid

• S3 - Construct or maintain access ways

• S9 - Undertake surveys

• S10 - Write a simple dynamic risk assessment
  

For K14 and S10 I could probably write assessments for these criteria any day as I have the first-aid course as an experience I could write about and I do dynamic risk assessments every week. As for S3 and S9 that may require a day with the Panshanger or Ecology teams in order meet the criteria for those as neither of those activities are really done day-to-day on the G&E team. I suppose hedgecutting and leafblowing alleyways could be considered maintaining an access way and if that's the case I have met this criteria a hundred times over. However, the criteria description actually states:

S3	Construct or maintain access ways - Using aggregate, stone pitching, slabs, bark, concrete or tarmac. This will include the skills to ensure that the path surface drains properly.

Here is my overall progress on the course as of 09/03/2026. The "Not started" segment includes some criteria I have obviously not added into any assessments yet, as well as the Countryside Worker Gateway and Final Assessment. These include my mock tests, mock discussions and mock practical assessments as well as the final graded ones. I don't imagine they will be that difficult but that is all that remains of the apprenticeship.