Courses
ICT
In Year 13 you will advance the skills you gained in Year 12 to achieve your chosen Diploma qualification following the IT Infrastructure Technician pathway. This will enable you to move from Key Stage 5 into Higher Education or the workplace. The qualification is supported by employers and professional bodies including British Telecom, CISCO, IBM, Digital Assess and CompTIA; so you will be sure to have the skills and knowledge that universities and employers demand.
Year 13
Single Option: For learners who successfully completed a Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT in Year 12, the opportunity to take the Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate and Introductory Diploma in IT. This qualification is equivalent to one A Level.
Double Option: For learners who successfully completed a Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT in Year 12, the opportunity to take the Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate and Introductory Diploma in IT. This qualification is equivalent to two A Levels, giving you the opportunity to increase the breadth and depth of your knowledge, skills and understanding.
Internal and external assessment of work
You will complete discreet units of internally assessed coursework aimed at equipping you with employability skills and an appreciation of how IT is used in industry. For the double option only, you will also complete an externally examined unit providing you with an insight into the flow of information on a global scale. Learners may re-sit an examined unit once before they complete the qualification.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade 5 and above.
Recommended support materials and revision guides
Learners are encouraged to read up on the current uses and innovations in IT using magazines, newspapers and the internet. There will also be the opportunity to attend revision/support classes.
Careers
This course prepares learners for employment in the IT sector, progression into ITrelated apprenticeships or to support further study in Higher Education. Typical job roles from the IT Infrastructure Technician pathway include: IT Technical Support, Digital Technologies, Network Technician, Infrastructure Technician, Field Technician, Network Planner, Cloud Technician and Database Administrator.
The new course incorporates the latest aspects of Computer Science at Advanced Level; learn to solve problems, program and prepare for all the challenges of the 21st Century.
Year 12
> Paper 1: Problem Solving, Abstraction, Programming and Practical Exercise
Learn to how to devise algorithms and abstract representations to solve problems and to encapsulate them in a working system.
> Paper 2: Computer Components, Organisation and Architecture,Communication and Networking, Data Representation
Learn how the components of a computer work together, how computers and other devices are connected and communicate over networks.
Year 13
> Paper 1: Problem Solving, Programming Paradigms, Data Structures and Algorithms
Learn how to develop complex algorithms and discover new programming paradigms.
> Paper 2: Computer Architecture, Databases, “Big Data”, Functional
Programming and Effects of Computer use Extend your knowledge of computer architecture, learn about databases and how massive amounts of data are processed and affect our everyday lives.
> Non exam component:Â A chance to demonstrate your ability to take a project from conception to reality and to produce a system that meets the needs of a customer.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade 5 and above including a good Computing or ICT grade is preferred.
Recommended support materials and revision guides
At the start of both the AS and A Level parts of the course students are encouraged to read up on the current uses and innovations in computing using review magazines. There will also be the opportunity to attend revision/support classes.
Examination arrangements and weightings
AS Paper1 Practical Exam – 50% of total AS mark
AS Paper2 Written Exam – 50% of total AS mark
A Level Paper 1 Practical Exam – 40% of total A-Level mark
A Level Paper 2 Written Exam – 40% of total A-Level mark
A Level Project Coursework – 20% of total A-Level mark
Careers
Computing develops a range of skills and approaches. The skills gained support a number of different business areas.
As a result there are a wide range of career opportunities open to students, including cybersecurity specialist, civil service, teacher, web design, systems analyses, computer design and construction, software engineering, graphics and data analyses. This qualification is recognised by the top universities as an excellent A Level.
The qualification provides a coherent introduction to the study of creative digital media production at this level. Learners develop an understanding of the media industry through analysing media representations and pitching and producing media projects. It is designed for post-16 learners who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the Media Industries, as part of a programme of study alongside other BTEC Nationals or A levels. There is no AS level qualification and both Year 12 and 13 need to be completed in order to gain the qualification.
Year 12 and 13
Unit 1: Media Representations
In this unit, you will study a range of media from different sectors, such as music videos, short film extracts, animation, news programs, websites, digital games and print adverts in order to explore how meaning, messages and values are constructed through formal and stylistic elements.
Unit 4: Pre-production Portfolio
Learners study the requirements of planning and delivering a 3D digital game, carrying out essential pre-production tasks and creating a pre-production portfolio.
Unit 8: Responding to a Commission
This unit considers the commissioning process and how media producers respond to client by generating ideas using a range of skills.
Unit 13: Digital Games Production
Learners will understand game genres and the principles of game design. Learners will design and make a 3D digital game.
Examination arrangements and weightings
360 GLH. Equivalent in size to one A Level. 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade 5 and above is preferred.
Who is this qualification for?
The Pearson BTEC National Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media Production has been developed in consultation with Higher Education and is intended to be an Applied General qualification. It is for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied study and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the Creative Industries. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A level and makes up one third of a typical study program, normally alongside A levels or other vocational qualifications at level 3.
Careers
The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by Higher Education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements
for many courses if taken alongside other subjects. CGI and Computer Game Design develops a range of skills and approaches. The skills gained are
cross curricular and support subjects in a number of different areas. As a result, there are a wide range of career opportunities open to students, including Advertising, Graphics, Architecture, Product Design, Web Design, Construction, Engineering, Software design, TV, Film and Computer Gaming.