ICT is taught to all students as a discrete lesson in years 9 to 11 and is a very popular option in the sixth form where we have a successful Single Award course. The study of ICT helps to provide students with the analytical, communication and technical skills that they will need as active participants in this exciting and dynamic world. The course also provides students with an essential foundation for any further courses including those specific to the use of computers and new technology.
Curriculum
In year 10 all students continue with the OCR Level 2 National First Award in ICT course started in Year 9 which is equivalent to 1 GCSE at grades A* to C. The qualification aims to provide students with an introduction to the skills, knowledge and understanding required to prepare for work in the information and communication technology sector. They have also been designed to help students develop their personal skills in the areas of team working, career planning, communication and problem solving. They accredit students’ abilities to carry out a range of tasks and have been designed to accredit students’ abilities to carry out a range of tasks and have been designed to accredit students’ achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace.
To achieve the qualification students must complete 2 units, consisting of Unit 1: ICT Skills for Business the mandatory 60 hour unit and one further 30 hour optional unit, Unit 21; Creating Computer Graphics. There are no timetabled examinations for this qualification. The full award and units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction and are based on coursework.
Information and Communications Technology
Students wishing to gain more experience and learn a wider range of ICT skills using Industry Standard software are able to opt to study additional units and study the OCR Level 2 National First Certificate in ICT, equivalent to 3 GCSE’s at grades A* to C. In order to achieve the OCR Level 2 National First Certificate in ICT, candidatesmust achieve a minimum Pass grade for each of the units studied. Students will continue with the mandatory Unit 1 and Unit 21 within core subject lessons.
Possible further units of study include:
Unit 2: Webpage creation (60 hour unit)
Unit 3: Digital imaging – plan and produce computer graphics (60 hour unit)
Unit 4: Design and produce multimedia products (60 hour unit)
Unit 5: Desktop publishing (60 hour unit)
Unit 6: Spreadsheets – design and use (60 hour unit)
Unit 11: Career planning for IT or Unit 12: Work experience in IT (60 hour units)
Unit 20: Creating animation for the WWW using ICT (30 hour unit)
Unit 23: Creating video (30 hour unit)
Unit 22: Creating sound using ICT (30 hour unit)
There are no timetabled examinations for this qualification. The full award and units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or distinction.
