Qualifications at KS4

Thomas Ng

School Improvement Adviser

(ICT & Assessment)

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

Revised curriculum (2008)

Revised approach to 14-19 Diploma

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 points

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

Qualifications at KS4

Thomas Ng

School Improvement Adviser

(ICT & Assessment)