INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY – KS4

Core – Cambridge Nationals (Level 1 & 2)

Core ICT

This is the core ICT course and will be taken by ALL students regardless of any other ICT option choices.

The OCR Cambridge Nationals are vocationally related qualifications that take an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. They’re industry relevant, geared to key sector requirements and very popular with schools and colleges because they suit such a broad range of learning styles and abilities.

Assessment

The breakdown of this course is 25% external assessment (exam) and 75% internal assessment (coursework).

The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)

Cambridge Nationals qualification / GCSE equivalent
Level 2 Distinction * / A*
Level 2 Distinction / A
Level 2 Merit / B
Level 2 Pass / C
Level 1 Distinction / D
Level 1 Merit / E
Level 1 Pass / F/G

Students will cover the following units:

Year 10

Unit R001: Understanding Computer Systems (external exam) / Unit R002: Using ICT to Create Business Solutions
On completion of this unit, learners will have gained the knowledge and understanding to use computers more effectively in a variety of different contexts including home, school and the workplace. Their regard for their own personal data security and for the security of the data of others will be increased and, overall, learners will be more informed users of computers making them more effective participators in business and social life. / On completion of this unit learners will have extended their capability in the use of applications software.


Year 11

Unit R003: Handling Data Using Spreadsheets / Unit R011: Understanding Technology – A Project Approach
On completion of this unit learners will be able to interpret requirements for a spreadsheet, take unstructured data, plan how to use it in a spreadsheet, create and populate a spreadsheet, use relevant functions and tools to manipulate the data and produce outputs to present the data graphically to support decision making.
This unit will be delivered through the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system and will therefore carry with it an additional, industry-related qualification. / On completion of this unit learners will have acquired the transferable skills to work through the cycle of planning, research, presentation and analysis to answer a question, test a hypothesis or to design a product or new concept.

Options

Academic

Option 2 – WJEC 178 01/02 Full Course in ICT

‘The Academic Option’

A course in Information and Communication Technology offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for candidates to identify and solve real problems by designing information and communication systems in a wide range of contexts relating to their personal interests. Information and Communication Technology develops candidates' interdisciplinary skills and their capacity for imaginative, innovative thinking, creativity and independence. Those with other interests and aspirations can also benefit from the many transferable skills inherent in the study of Information and Communication Technology.

Assessment

Unit 1: Understanding ICT (20%) / Unit 2: Solving Problems with ICT (30%)
This examination paper will assess the requirements of the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study for Information and Communication Technology and the functional elements of ICT in a home and school context. / This controlled assessment consists of a portfolio of work which shows candidates' attainment in obtaining and interpreting different types of information; using, developing and communicating information to meet the purpose of their studies and presenting the results of their work. This assignment will assess the practical aspects of the functional elements of ICT.
Unit 3: ICT in Organisations (20%) / Unit 4: Developing Multimedia ICT Solutions (30%)
This examination paper will assess the 'application' content of ICT in a business and industry context. / This controlled assessment will give candidates the opportunity to develop a piece of work
using multimedia software following a single task brief issued by WJEC.

Where next?

This GCSE option is offered to cater for students who wish to follow a more traditional, academic route in the subject. This is the preferred option for students wishing to take AS ICT in Year 12.

Technical ICT

This option follows the Technical Strand of Cambridge Nationals, providing additional units which ‘bolt on’ to their core ICT units and enable students to achieve an additional GCSE-equivalent qualification. The course is 100% coursework, but is dependent upon students passing the compulsory units R001 and R002, discussed in the Core ICT section.

The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)

Cambridge Nationals qualification / GCSE equivalent
Level 2 Distinction * / A*
Level 2 Distinction / A
Level 2 Merit / B
Level 2 Pass / C
Level 1 Distinction / D
Level 1 Merit / E
Level 1 Pass / F/G

Units covered:

Year 10

Unit R004: Handling Data Using Databases / Unit R008: Introduction to Computer Programming
On completion of this unit learners will be able to modify an existing database and produce a relational database. They will also be able to create queries to interrogate a database and find specific records and produce reports based on the results of these queries and create a user interface for the database.
This unit will be delivered through the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system and will therefore carry with it an additional, industry-related qualification. / On completion of this unit learners will be able to appreciate the range of programming and scripting languages that are used and their applications and will be able to develop, test and evaluate working programs in one language of their choice. Learners will have acquired the skills necessary to help develop their programming further into interactive websites, mobile phone and tablet apps and a range of computer applications and they will communicate technical concepts effectively using terminology appropriately.

Year 11

Unit R009: Exploring Computer Hardware and Networks / Unit R010: Developing Control Systems
On completion of this unit learners will have acquired skills and knowledge that would be beneficial to working with IT systems within different employment sectors or within the home environment and they will communicate technical concepts effectively using terminology appropriately. / On completion of this unit learners will be able to explore the different components which can be used to build control systems and the rules which are written to ensure they work properly, and be able to communicate technical concepts effectively using terminology appropriately. Learners will build working control systems using either real components or simulation software to show they understand the concepts.

The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)

Cambridge Nationals qualification / GCSE equivalent
Level 2 Distinction * / A*
Level 2 Distinction / A
Level 2 Merit / B
Level 2 Pass / C
Level 1 Distinction / D
Level 1 Merit / E
Level 1 Pass / F/G

Where next?

The Head of ICT and Senior Leadership Team are in discussion about alternative Level 3 qualifications that can be offered in the 6th form, however the A-Level IT course will accept any students who have taken Technical ICT as an option.

Creative ICT

This option follows the Creative Strand of Cambridge Nationals, providing additional units which ‘bolt on’ to their core ICT units and enable students to achieve an additional GCSE-equivalent qualification. The course is 100% coursework, but is dependent upon students passing the compulsory units R001 and R002, discussed in the Core ICT section.

The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)

Cambridge Nationals qualification / GCSE equivalent
Level 2 Distinction * / A*
Level 2 Distinction / A
Level 2 Merit / B
Level 2 Pass / C
Level 1 Distinction / D
Level 1 Merit / E
Level 1 Pass / F/G

Units covered:

Year 10

Unit R004: Handling Data Using Databases / Unit R005: Creating an Interactive Product Using Multimedia Components
On completion of this unit learners will be able to modify an existing database and produce a relational database. They will also be able to create queries to interrogate a database and find specific records and produce reports based on the results of these queries and create a user interface for the database.
This unit will be delivered through the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system and will therefore carry with it an additional, industry-related qualification. / On completion of this unit learners will be able to show how the interactive product meets both the user needs and extends their capability within the use of applications software such as website development.

Year 11

Unit R006: Creating Digital Images / Unit R007: Creating Dynamic Products Using Sound and Vision
On completion of this unit learners will be able to create a digital image that communicates the intended message effectively, meeting the client’s needs, and they will have extended their capability within the use of digital editing software packages. / Movies, animations and sounds bring messages and communications to life. The ability to create, edit and enhance these types of media is an essential business and personal skill that can be used for many purposes. On completion of this unit learners will be able to prepare, create, export and evaluate a timeline-based dynamic product.

Where next?

The Head of ICT and Senior Leadership Team are in discussion about alternative Level 3 qualifications that can be offered in the 6th form, however the A-Level IT course will accept any students who have taken Technical ICT as an option.