Sixth Form

At sixth form we run OCR Nationals, AQA Applied A level single award and AQA academic ICT.

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) is a thriving, popular and extremely successful subject which all students study throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 and can continue in the Sixth Form.

AS Applied ICT

Single Award Units

Unit 1: ICT and Society

This unit is externally assessed.

In this unit students will investigate the impact of ICT on every aspect of life. They should be able to understand how the changes caused by ICT will affect their future and that of others, including people with particular needs. Examples are all around, such as mobile phones, motorway signs, methods of booking theatre tickets or plane seats, and in the ways that they are provided with education and research opportunities.

Unit 2: ICT and Organisations

This unit is internally assessed and externally moderated. Candidates must submit a portfolio of evidence.

This unit looks at how ICT systems can be used effectively to meet the information needs of organisations. Whatever the type or size of the organisation, from large public sector to small market trader, they all have to use and process information. ICT systems can be used as a tool to meet their needs, and its increased use within organisations has brought radical changes in working practices and styles.

Unit 3: Data Handling

This unit is internally assessed and externally moderated. Candidates must submit a portfolio of evidence.

In order to function effectively, all organisations need good quality information. Today, the use of relational database management software (RDBMS) has revolutionised the ease with which organisations can manipulate data, e.g. in the banking world, where banks can view all details about a customer by combining data from different files.

Academic ICT

AS outline

At AS, the two units are complementary and are concerned with applying ICT to solve problems and the study of the opportunities for and affects of using ICT in the world today. Candidates will have the opportunity to put into practice a wide range of software and hardware to create solutions to solve problems.

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World

Topic list

  • Practical use of ICT, identifying, designing, producing, testing, documenting and evaluating solutions
  • Data entry, storage, output of information, use of software, current health and safety legislation.

Assessment

  • Written Paper (1.5 hours, 50% of total AS marks, 25% of total A Level marks)
  • Question paper/answer booklet examination. Externally marked by AQA.
  • Section A: short answer questions; Section B: 3 or more structured questions requiring discursive answers.
  • All questions are compulsory.

Unit 2: Living in the Digital World

Topic list

  • ICT systems, their components, uses, users, safety and security
  • Data and information, data transfer, backup and recovery.

Assessment

  • Written Paper (1.5 hours, 50% of total AS, 25% of total A Level marks)
  • Question paper/answer booklet examination. Externally marked by AQA.
  • Section A: short answer questions; Section B: 3 or more structured questions requiring discursive answers. All questions are compulsory.

A2 outline

At A2, students will study the concepts associated with the use of ICT in the 21st century. They will also have opportunities for acquiring skills needed in the IT profession such as co-operative working and project management. These practical skills can be developed in areas of ICT that are of interest to them. Students can also use these newly acquired skills as a springboard into other qualifications and working environments.
The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital World

Topic list

  • Developments in technology, information needs of organisations, ICT systems, management of ICT
  • Developing ICT systems, introducing large ICT systems into organisations
  • Training and supporting users of ICT systems.

Assessment

  • Written Paper (2 hours, 60% of total A2 marks, 30% of total A Level marks)
  • Candidates will be provided with pre-release material which will be available on the AQA Website on 1 November for the January examination, and 1 April for the June examination. The pre-release will be re-issued for use in the examination.
  • Question paper/answer booklet examination. Externally marked by AQA.
  • Section A: structured questions based on pre-release material; Section B: questions requiring extended prose answers.
  • All questions are compulsory.

Unit 4: Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World

Topic list

  • Practical issues involved in managing the use of ICT in organisations
  • Investigating, analysing, defining requirements
  • Selecting and using appropriate technologies, designing solutions, methods for testing and installation, documenting and evaluating.

Coursework

  • 40% of total A2 marks, 20% of total A Level marks
  • Candidates must produce a report based upon their practical work/investigation. The report will be internally marked and externally moderated.

KEYSTAGE 5

OCR Nationals Level 3 Outline

The OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT have been developed to recognise candidates' skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT functions, environments and operations.

They have been designed to accredit candidates' achievements in a modern and practical way that is relevant to the workplace.

They do not certificate competence on the job but are work-related qualifications which will support progression to an NVQ once a candidate is in the workplace.

These qualifications specifically aim to:

  1. develop candidates' knowledge and understanding of the ICT sector and the chosen specialist pathway if selected
  2. develop candidates' skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within the ICT sector
  3. develop candidates' ability to work autonomously and effectively in an ICT context
  4. enable candidates to develop knowledge and understanding in specialist areas of ICT, and demonstrate the skills needed to participate in the operation and development of real ICT organisations
  5. encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that candidates will need to access further or higher education programmes or occupational training on a full-time or part-time basis
  6. encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that candidates will need to enter employment or enhance their current employment status
  7. promote interaction between employers, centres and candidates by relating teaching and assessment to real organisations.

Assessment of OCR Nationals is 100% portfolio based meaning no exams!

Units of Study:

Unit 1: Digital Business Communication
Unit 2: Collaborative working
Unit 3: Problem Solving
Unit 4: Creating a Digital Showcase
Unit 7: Desktop Publishing
Unit 20: Web Authoring