Key Stage 3

• E-Safety
• Desktop Management: Use of Files and Folders
• Hardware: internal and external
• Software: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint,
• Microsoft Excel
• Cloud Technology: Office 365 – One Drive, One Note
• Photo manipulation: Photoshop
• Coding: BBC MicroBit
• Programming: Kodu and Small Basic

ICT provides students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for working with spreadsheets and databases alongside presenting their findings.  Web authoring and game production knowledge are also gained through this qualification. 

You will learn to

• Handle, manage and present information
• Understand the importance of planning and design
• Manipulate images
• Use and create multimedia assets

During the course you will have opportunity to

• Investigate, manage and display information
• Plan and design end products
• Perform web authoring and game creation

Assessment

The course is divided into three units

• Unit 1 Tools and Applications (internal assessment worth 30%)
• Unit 2 Using Multimedia and Games Technology (internal assessment worth 30%)
• Unit 3 Theory – Understanding ICT Systems in Everyday Life and its Implications for Individuals, Organisations, Society and the Wider World.  This is worth 40% of the final mark and is assessed externally through a written examination in Year 12 (2 hours)

Progression to Post 16

This specification provides opportunity to progress the study of Information and Communication Technology at AS Level, Advanced Level and GNVQ Level.

Occupational Studies encourages learners to be motivated and inspired by following a broad, coherent and satisfying course of study.

It gives pupils opportunities to sample work-related learning within an occupational context. To develop their skills in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT.  In addition it prepares learners to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and careers.

 You will learn to

• develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to undertake work-based tasks;
• engage actively in work-based learning within coherent occupational contexts
• develop an appreciation of the progression/career opportunities that exist through the study of Occupational Studies
• develop an appreciation of the environmental impacts of the practical tasks they carry out within occupational contexts
• develop an awareness of general and specific health and safety issues arising from activities within occupational contexts

During the course you will have opportunity to

• Construct HTML code
• Perform web authoring tasks
• Manipulate graphics

 Occupational Studies

• has an occupational and employability focus
• enables progression to other courses, training and employment
• helps to raise levels of achievement, since learners are likely to be more motivated to achieve success through applying their knowledge in practical, work-related situations and contexts
• emphasises learning by doing, which will help learners to develop the transferable skills necessary in a changing and dynamic working environment

Assessment

• Unit 1 Web Design
• Unit 2 Graphic Design

Learners will develop skills in planning, producing and presenting (based on client brief) using industry standard procedures.

GCE Digital Technology

GCE Digital Technology is for students interested in current and emerging technologies, the impact they have and how to use them effectively. This qualification is likely to appea to all, but it might particularly interest those who enjoyed studying digital technology, mathematics, sciences or technology and design at GCSE Level or equivalent.

You will learn to

• Create knowledge and understanding of information systems within a range of organisations
• Build an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using ICT
• Develop project management skills and an  understanding of the need to work with others
• Develop a broad range of skills and knowledge as a basis for progression into further learning

Assessment

There are three external written examinations in the full GCE course in Digital Technology: two at AS level and one at A2. For each exam students answer short and extended questions.

The exams for Unit AS 1: Approaches to System Development and Unit AS 2: Fundamentals of Digital Technology each last 1 hour 30 minutes. Each is worth 50% of the AS level marks and 20% of the full A level.

The exam for Unit A2: 1 Information Systems lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. It is worth 40% of the full A level. This specification includes one internal assessment unit. Unit A2 2: Application Development (Case Study) focuses on students’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills.

We provide guidance on how to complete and submit tasks. Different approaches to the task are possible, depending on students’ knowledge and skills. The marks available for this unit make up 20% of the full A level.

Progression  and career opportunities

The GCE in Single Award Applied ICT qualifies for up to one hundred and twenty UCAS points.  It gives students a wide choice of progression options into further study, training or relevant employment. 

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in IT

Information technology (IT) systems have a vital role in the world around us and play a part in almost everything we do. Having a sound understanding of how to effectively select and then use appropriate IT systems will benefit students in their personal and professional life. Students will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals.

In other units students will examine and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database by developing effective design solutions. Students will evaluate each stage of the development process and the effectiveness of their database solution.

People spend a lot of time on social media websites and they give businesses opportunities to interact with people and to encourage people to visit their e-commerce site. Many students may be familiar with social media for personal use and in this unit you will discover how it can be used in a business context.

Assessment

Compulsory Units

Information Technology Systems (External)

Creating Systems to Manage Information (External)

Using Social Media in Business (Internal)

Optional Units

Data Modelling OR Website Development.

Progression  and career opportunities

When completed alongside two other level 3 course BTEC IT can allow access into many careers such as IT, web development and/or university courses such as those shown below:

• HND in Business

• BA (Hons) in Computer Arts

• BSc (Hons) in Software Development

• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance.