1. ICT (WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award)

The WJEC ICT course is designed for students who want to develop practical, high-level digital skills that are essential for the modern workplace and further education.

• Key Stage 3 Overview: In Years 7, 8, and 9, students use ICT as a foundational tool to organize, develop, and present their studies. They are taught to make independent, safe, and effective use of digital resources. The curriculum introduces students to professional software applications, building the resilience and transferable skills needed to adapt to an ever-evolving technological landscape.
• Key Stage 4 Overview: This vocational qualification focuses on the "Information" aspect of ICT. Students learn how to manage data, create automated systems, and use software to solve complex, real-world problems. The course is split into two core areas:
  • Unit 1: ICT in the Digital World. This unit explores how ICT is used across various sectors and investigates the impact of technology on wider society.
  • Unit 2: Creative Digital Solutions. A practical, hands-on unit where students plan, create, and test a digital solution (such as a database or complex spreadsheet) to meet a specific client brief.
• Qualification Assessment Overview:
  • 40% External Exam: An on-screen examination assessing knowledge of ICT systems and the digital world.
  • 60% Controlled Assessment: A practical, internally assessed project where students apply their skills to a set scenario.

·         When do internal assessments take place?

o    Midway through the course (June to December)

·         When do external assessments take place?

o    Two examinations at the end of year 11.

How Parents Can Support:

• Software Literacy: Encourage students to use the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access) for home tasks to build technical fluency.
• File Management: Help students maintain a rigorous file-naming convention and folder structure to ensure their coursework remains organized and secure.

Teaching Staff

• Miss V. Shepherd, Teacher of IT

2. Business Studies (Edexcel)

Business Studies provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how the global economy functions, from local entrepreneurs to international corporations.

• Key Stage 4 Overview: The Edexcel course is divided into two distinct, high-impact themes:
  • Theme 1: Investigating Small Business. This covers the enterprise phase, focusing on spotting business opportunities, marketing, and the risks and rewards of running a startup.
  • Theme 2: Building a Business. This investigates how businesses scale up, covering financial management, human resources, and the impact of global economic shifts.
• Qualification Assessment Overview:
  • 100% External Assessment.
  • Assessment Structure: Two 1 hour 45-minute examinations at the end of Year 11.
  • Paper 1: Investigating Small Business.
  • Paper 2: Building a Business.

How Parents Can Support:

• Stay Current: Encourage students to follow the news. Understanding real-world examples of business success and failure is key to achieving high marks in exam evaluations.
• Real-World Discussion: Talk to your child about household budgeting, consumer choices, and how the businesses you visit every day operate.
• Revision: Support students in practicing "long-form" exam answers, focusing on their ability to justify business decisions.

Teaching Staff

• Miss V. Shepherd, Teacher of IT
• Mr G. Land, Associate Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of Business