ICT

ICT Curriculum Leader - Mrs D Patterson

ICT Technician - Mr S Armstrong

KS3 ICT

ICT at KS3 has the aim of developing the ICT Skills required to facilitate the delivery of the KS3 curriculum and to enable pupils to achieve a level in Using ICT.

CCEA GCSE

Business & Communication Systems

Business and Communication Systems is an exciting and practical subject that recognises how ICT is in the foreground of all business activities.

This CCEA specification aims to encourage students to:

engage actively in the study of business and digital technology in order to develop as effective and independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds;
recognise that their knowledge of business and the use of software applications will provide a sound basis for a future role as employee or employer;
understand the changing role of digital technologies in business and economic activities;
develop skills and understanding in the use of software applications;
use software applications to develop digital solutions to enhance business activities; and
be inspired by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course that could lead to further study.

Students will complete the following:

OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (2016 Suite)

Introductory Diploma in IT – Single A Level

LEAD TEACHER: Mrs D Patterson

About the Course

This is an up to date vocational course that has been designed with refreshing and exciting content. It aims to be engaging, fit for purpose and suitable for the needs of our students in 2021 and beyond. The Level 3 Cambridge Technical in IT course will focus on the requirements that today’s universities and employers demand as well as the transferable skills required such as communication, problem solving, time management, research and analytical skills.

This pathway focuses on the development of skills on a range of applications. Students will be able to demonstrate the skills of writing specifications, designing, building, testing and implementing applications.

How will it be assessed?

Students will complete 2 external assessments in Year 13, which will be set and marked by OCR; there will be two opportunities for students to take them, in January and June.

There will be 3 internally assessed portfolio based units in Year 14.

Year 13

Unit 1

Fundamentals of IT

Externally Assessed

A sound understanding of IT technologies and practices is essential for IT professionals.

Information learnt in this unit will create a solid foundation in the fundamentals of hardware, networks, software, the ethical use of computers and how businesses use IT.

1 hour 30 minutes written paper 80 marks

section A comprises multiple choice questions
section B comprises short answer and extended response questions

Unit 2

Global Information

Externally Assessed

The purpose of this unit is to demonstrate the uses of information in the public domain, globally, in the cloud and across the Internet, by individuals and organisations.

This unit will provide you with a greater understanding of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally and the types of information you will encounter.

This unit will help you to understand the legislation and regulation governing information which flows in to and out of an organisation and the constraints and limitations that apply to it. You will also learn the relationship between data and Information.

1 hour 30 minutes written paper 80 marks

section A comprises short answer and extended response questions based on a pre-released case study. A new case study is released for each examination series and will include research prompts which learners will need to respond to prior to the external assessment
section B comprises short answer and extended response questions. These questions will not relate to the pre-release case study

Year 14

Unit 6

Application Design

Internally Assessed

The world is increasingly reliant on applications that help individuals, business and organisations achieve specific activities or purposes. In this unit you will explore potential ideas for a new application and develop the fundamental design for it. You will then develop the designs for an application and how users will interact with it. The application that you will design could be for any sector and for any purpose. You will have the opportunity to present your ideas, prototype them and gain feedback before refining your design.

Besides the technical knowledge that you will gain about designing an application, you will also learn key transferable skills about liaising with clients, questioning people effectively to gain the information you need to develop successful designs, and presenting your ideas to an audience and getting feedback from them.

Unit 15

Game Design & Prototyping

Internally Assessed

Gaming is a continuously developing market. There are a number of platforms available for amateur and professional game developers to release games that they have designed and developed.

This unit will help you develop skills in designing and developing a prototype for a simple game. It will enable you to consider the logic of the programming structures required, as well as the interface design. You will then build a prototype to demonstrate an element of your game.

Games designers and developers design and develop games across a wide range of applications and platforms.

Unit 17

Internet of Everything

Internally Assessed

This unit is about the use of the Internet and how it is impacting people and society.

You will learn about the Internet of Everything and how it is used. Using your knowledge you will carry out a feasibility study for a potential idea. You will pitch your idea to potential stakeholders and use their feedback to revise your proposal.

Why study this course?

ICT is at the heart of everyday life, at home, work and in our leisure time from computer graphics and control systems to communications and problem solving
exciting and practical units will be delivered
only 2 externally assessed units – can be sat January and June
3 internally assessed portfolio units
it develops transferable skills for the workplace or future studies
employment opportunities available due to the skills gap in the market

Assessment

Each unit you cover is split up into Assessment Objectives. You will cover this by completing tasks set by your teacher. For each Assessment Objective you will be awarded a grade:

Pass (grade E) Merit (grade C) Distinction (grade A) Distinction*(grade A*)

All of the Assessment objectives will then be added up to combine to give the final grade for that unit.

At the end of the two years all of your grades from each unit will be added together to give you your overall grade for the qualification. It will be graded as the following:

Pass (grade E) Merit (grade C) Distinction (grade A) Distinction*(grade A*)

Which other subjects will complement this one?

Past students have combined ICT with a wide range of other subjects. It is the ideal complement to any AS course of study and offers a range of skills that can be transferred across the curriculum and to working life.

Career Opportunities

The course provides students with a progression route to higher education and further training for employment. It offers students the chance to personalise their path of study and obtain qualifications that meets their individual aptitudes and interests. Career paths followed may include:

Software Developer
Multimedia/Marketing
Cyber Security
Graphic Designer
Administrator
Business Planner
Teacher

Web Designer
App Developer
Mobile Technology
Games Designer
IT Technician
IOT Developer
IOT Technician

A-Level