Challenges
Raising of participation age Falling of KS4 in-takes Revised KS3 curriculum Revised KS4 GCSE specifications Revised approach to 14-19 Diploma
Participation age
Education & Skills Act 2008
From 2013, all young people will be required to continue in education or training post-16 (current group of Year 8)
At the end of 2008, 79.7% of 16-18 were participating in education and training (rsgateway figures)
Falling of KS4 in-takes
GCSE ICT full course summer participation:
2006 - 109601 2007 – 99656 2008 – 85599 2009 - 73519
Source: JCQ
Choosing the “right” course…
Input Links to KS3 and KS5 courses Previous results fees
Process Does the content excite you? Local network of support available? Model of assessment
Output Threshold - Challenge & Size - NQF/QCF levels SCAAT points Choosing IT as a career option
Output
National Threshold: KS4 - Level 2 – 5 GCSE A*-C grade including
English and Mathematics KS5 – Level 3 – 2 GCE A*-E grade
League table position: SCATT points
NQF / QCF levelsDepth of study (challenge): KS4 GCSE A*-C = Level 2 GCSE D-G = Level 1 GCE A/S and A level = Level 3
Width of study (size): GCSE short course = half the amount of work but depth of
knowledge and understanding expected is the same as “full” course Similarly for Functional Skills Double GCSE = double the amount of work but depth of knowledge
and understanding remains the same Similarly for 4 GCSE equivalent vocational-related qualifications
NQF / QCF levelsDepth of study: Level 1 :- can recall previous experience, use software
packages well / effectively within a timescale Level 2 :- know how to solve a problem systematically
and demonstrate the capacity to respond to the question “why”
Level 3 :- consider and able to explain the implications of a range of factors when formulating a solution to a problem
Width of study: The same systematic approach manifested in different
context
SCAAT pointsGCSE A* Level 2 58
GCSE C Level 2 40
GCSE D Level 1 34
GCSE (short) C Level 2 20
Functional skills (x 0.5)
pass Level 2 23
DiDA (x 4) pass Level 2 184
OCR National pass Level 2 160
Source: http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk
Choosing the “right” course…
Input Links to KS3 and KS5 courses Previous results fees
Process Does the content excite you? Local network of support available? Model of assessment
Output Threshold - Challenge & Size - NQF/QCF levels SCAAT points Choosing IT as a career option
ProcessContent: (does the content excite me?) Computer Studies <–> Computing <–> software development Office applications <–> IT users <–> specialist users
Support: Examination board meetings / online communities Subject associations hub meetings Local authority / school subject forum
Model of assessment: 100% External set paper <–> 100% internal coursework (+ external
moderation / verification)
Input
Link to KS3 and KS5: Could you change your KS3 units of work? What’s next for your students – where can they go to
continue to develop this expertise?
Previous result: Comparing with national averages Comparing with other subjects within your school
Fee: Switching fees in your departmental/school budget?
A smoother transition..
Have a pilot with a small group of students (just to try it out)
Joining / establishing a network of like-minded professionals (either online or local)
Attending examination board meetings Visiting existing centre(s) for the qualification Register for a course yourself
Useful links
http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk http://www.jcq.org.uk http://www.e-skills.com Your local authority data services team / your
school’s examination officer