The Certificate is broadly equivalent to AS level and the Subsidiary Diploma is broadly equivalent to A2 level.
You will:

• gain a broad understanding of ICT and be able to study selected areas in more depth
• develop skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical and realistic way
• follow a programme of study that enables progression to both higher education and employment
• develop Key Skills that are highly valued by employers and universities
• gain confidence through developing independent learning skills

Year 12 ICT: Certificate 

Unit Title and Description  

Unit 1: Communication and employability skills in IT

The aim of this unit is to ensure that learners understand both the personal attributes valued by employers and the principles of communicating effectively whist developing effective communication skills and addressing their own personal development needs.  Students will volunteer to work as an IT tutor with a local charity and/or as a member of the Devizes School Radio broadcast team.

On completion of this unit a student should:

• Understand the personal attributes valued by employers
• Understand the principles of effective communication
• Be able to use IT to communicate effectively
• Be able to address personal development needs

Unit 2: Computer Systems

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the components of computer systems and develop the skills needed to recommend appropriate systems for business purposes and set up and maintain computer systems.

On completion of this unit a student should:

• Understand the components of computer systems
• Be able to recommend computer systems for a business purpose
• Be able to set up and maintain computer systems

Unit 28 Website production

The aim of this unit is to enable a learner to understand web architecture, the factors that affect its performance and be able to design and create interactive websites.

On completion of this unit a student should:

• Understand web architecture and components
• Understand the factors that influence website performance
• Be able to design websites
• Be able to create websites.

Year 13 ICT: Subsidiary Diploma

Unit 23 Human Computer Interaction
 
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to know the impact of Human Computer Interaction has on society, economy and culture provides the basic skills and understanding required to enable learners to design and implement human computer interfaces.

On completion of this unit a student should:
• Know the impact of Human Computer Interaction.
• Understand the principles of Interface design.
• Be able to design and implement user interfaces.

Unit 8 E Commerce

The aim of this unit is to ensure that learners know the technologies involved in e-commerce, understand the impact of e-commerce on organisations and on society, and that they are able to plan e-commerce strategies.
On completion of this unit a student should :
1. Know the technologies required for an e-commerce system
2. Understand the impact of e-commerce on organisations
3. Understand the effects of e-commerce on society
4. Be able to plan e-commerce strategies.

Unit 43 Multimedia design

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand different types of digital media and equip them with the skills required to design, develop, present and review multimedia products.

On completion of this unit a student should:

• Understand different types of digital media
• Be able to design multimedia products
• Be able to develop multimedia products
• Be able to present and review multimedia products.

TEACHING
The majority of the course is delivered in an ICT suite where students are mainly engaged in practical activities.  However, there are occasions when the more theoretical aspects are investigated in a traditional classroom environment.  Students will be expected to carry out extensive independent study, including library work, conducting interviews with outside agencies and Internet research. There will be opportunities for students to participate in off-site educational visits.  Off-site educational visits are mandatory expectation to volunteer for at least one role as described in unit 1 above.

ASSESSMENT

All units are assessed internally by the ICT  teaching team and moderated by the examination board Edexcel.  Assessments methods will include the production of reports, multi-media presentations, video recordings of working with others and observation of work carried out in the volunteer roles.  There are no examinations for this qualification, it is 100% coursework.  The table below outlines the grading for the Year 12 and Year 13 courses.

THE FUTURE 
ICT students tend to go for university courses closely related to their voactional area.  For example, degree courses in IT and more specifically in multi-media and web-design are currently popular choices students.  The BTEC  qualification in ICT is also a well respected qualification within the workplace.

FURTHER INFORMATION
See Mr D O’Rourke, Subject Leader for ICT.