SSICT

Introduction

The study of business allows students to:

• Develop an understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
• Appreciate that business behaviour can be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders
• Acquire a range of skills including decision-making and problem-solving
• Be aware of the current structure of business and business practice.

The transferable skills developed through the study of Business are:

• Data skills
• Presenting arguments and making judgments on the basis of the available evidence
• Solving problems and making decisions
• Planning work
• Conducting research
• Challenging assumptions using evidence

Key Stage 5

Business students are introduced to core business concepts and develop a broad understanding of how businesses work, before looking at the decision-making tools that help business people move towards a more scientific approach to management.

Students investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues, and make supported decisions and recommendations using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Students develop a holistic understanding of business.

Extra-Curricular

Help sessions are held on Mondays after school between 3pm and 4pm, in G4.

Useful Websites

www.Tutor2u.net
www.businessed.co.uk
news.sky.com/business
www.bbc.co.uk/bitsize
www.businessstudiescasestudies.co.uk

Introduction

The ICT and Computer Science Department offers students the opportunity to understand and use a diverse set of technological tools and resources to communicate, create, disseminate, store and manage information and systems. Students will develop problem-solving skills and analytical abilities and key transferable skills for all areas of study.

The department runs both a lunchtime and after school club to foster students’ interest in the subject, and support skill development. Various internal and external competitions run throughout the year with rewards given for students’ competence and participation.

Students are encouraged to attend ICT and Computer Science conferences where they can come face-to-face with speakers from high profile companies, presenting on current issues within their industries and then link these back to key topics covered in their examination courses.We offer an evolving curriculum which gives students choice, and prepares them for a modern world in which computers are ubiquitous and change is rapid.

Key Stage 3

A varied ICT and Computer Science curriculum is studied at Key Stage 3, allowing students to continuously build their expertise to prepare for making their guided choices at Key Stage 4, and also to equip them with the essential skills required beyond the classroom.

Students are taught in mixed ability groups throughout, and have one 60 minute lesson each week. Classwork is project-based and comprised of a mixture of group and independent tasks.

Students learn a variety of fundamental concepts such as binary and control, data analysis, understanding algorithms and computer networks.  They gain proficiency with a number of software applications used for creating animation, writing programs, editing digital images, interrogation of databases and creating webpages, to name just a few.

Key Stage 4

Students in Years 10 and 11 can choose to take a course in either the OCR Cambridge National Certificate in ICT or the OCR GCSE Computer Science specifications.

OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in ICT

This is the vocational qualification option for students at Key Stage 4 and is the equivalent to a GCSE. The course equips learners with sound ICT skills for everyday use and provide opportunities to develop in context, a range of transferable skills. It consists of three coursework units and one exam unit, each of which are equally weighted. Grades awarded are: Level 2 Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass (A*-C equivalent) and Level 1 Distinction, Merit, Pass (D-F equivalent).

The coursework units are completed in Year 10, with students being monitored closely and appropriately challenged to help them to attain the highest grades. Interventions are held throughout for those students requiring further support and parents will be notified if this becomes necessary. The exam unit is taught in Year 11 and revision sessions take place in the final term before the written exam.

Key topics studied include: understanding computer systems,using ICT to create business solutions, handling data using spreadsheets and creating an interactive product using multimedia components.

OCR GCSE in Computer Science

This qualification enables students to:

Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, algorithms and data representation

Analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including designing, writing and debugging programs

Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically

Understand the components that make up digital systems and how they communicate with one another, and with other systems

Understand the impact of digital technology on individuals and wider society

Apply mathematical skills relevant to computer science.

The course is assessed by two equally-weighted terminal written exams, each worth 40% of the overall GCSE, and an individual programming project worth 20% of the GCSE, which is completed in Year 11.  Grades awarded are 9 – 1.

Key Stage 5

Students in Years 12 and 13 can choose to take a course in either the OCR Cambridge Technical & Technical Extended Certificate in ICT, or the OCR GCE Computer Science specifications.

OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate & Technical Extended Certificate in IT

Thiscourse allows students to continue their education through applied topics. It is project-focussed and centred on using IT in the real world. Success in this qualification supports progression to Higher Education institutions or degree programmes.

In Year 12, students complete two mandatory units for the Level 3 Technical Certificate in IT equivalent to one AS Level. Both of these units are externally assessed via written examinations which include multiple choice questions, short and extended response questions and those based on a pre-released case study. Both units are equally weighted. Grades that can be awarded are: Distinction *, Distinction, Merit or Pass and students must achieve at least a pass grade on all units in order to secure this qualification.

In Year 13, students complete a further one mandatory unit and two optional for the Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate in IT, which is equivalent to one A Level. The mandatory unit is externally assessed via a written examination, which includes multiple choice questions, short and extended response questions. The optional units are centre assessed and moderated by the exam board and could be based around website development, information systems analysis and design or project management. Grades that can be awarded are: Distinction *, Distinction, Merit or Pass.Students must achieve at least a pass grade for all units in both Years 12 and 13 in order to secure this qualification.

Students will be given copious feedback and ample opportunities to secure the highest grades. The department runs ICT skills workshops after school to support these courses, and revision sessions will take place in the final term before the written exam.

OCR GCE in Computer Science

This linear A Level course consists of three components: computer systems: algorithms and programming and a programming project. The project is worth 20% of the overall grade and the other two components, 40% each.  These are assessed by written examinations.  

Students wishing to study this subject to AS Level only, will complete two written examinations at the end of Year 12.  The project is completed in Year 13.

Both written components are assessed using a range of question types: short-answer, longer-answer and levels of response mark-scheme-type questions.

The computer systems component includes the study of:

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices
• Software and software development
• Exchanging data
• Data types, data structures and algorithms
• Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

The algorithms and programming component includes the study of:

• Traditional questions concerning computational thinking
• Elements of computational thinking
• Programming and problem-solving
• Pattern recognition, abstraction and decomposition
• Algorithm design and efficiency
• Standard algorithms

An additional scenario/task in the paper may be an algorithm or a text page-based task, and will involve problem solving.

The skills learned will prepare students who want to go on to study computer science at a higher level and will also provide a good grounding for other subject areas that require computational thinking and analytical skills.

Extra-Curricular

The department runs an ICT club at lunchtimes, which is open to all students. ICT help clubs run after school and are targeted towards students taking examination courses in ICT or computer science.

Useful Websites

For more information about examination courses, visit: www.ocr.org.uk

To view topics for ICT and computer science, visit:

www.teach-ict.org
www.codeacademy.com
www.cambridgegcseComputer Science.org
www.bbc.co.uk/education/levels/z98jmp3
code.org/learn
www.codeclub.org.uk

Introduction

The focus of the Psychology department is to challenge common-sense thinking and encourage students to think in a different way. They are encouraged to synthesise information and produce cogent written responses which exhibit independent thinking. Through scientific techniques, students explore some everyday behaviours such as:

• Why do boys like war games and girls like dolls?
• How can you forget something a couple of minutes after you were told it?
• Why are some people scared of spiders and others are not?

Psychology examines questions like these in the study of the human mind and behaviour.  It can help students to develop valuable transferable skills including analysis, interpretation and appraisal of data; use critical and evaluative skills when carrying out research; as well as an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity.

Key Stage 4

What will I be studying and when? What is the exam board?

Students in Years 10 and 11 follow a scheme of work based upon the AQA GCSE specification. This is a linear GCSE course and students will take all examinations in Year 11, with no controlled assessment during the psychology course. There is one level of entry at GCSE where Grades 9 to 1 can be awarded, and students are taught in mixed ability groups.

Internal assessments take place regularly throughout the course and at the end of Year 10. The progress of students is closely monitored and tracked, and an intervention programme is in place for those students who are not making the required progress.

Key topics studied in Unit 1 are:

• Memory
• Perception
• Development
• Research Methods

Key topics studied in Unit 2 are:

• Language, thought and Communication
• Social influence
• Brain and Neuropsychology
• Psychological problems

In addition to these topics, students are also required to study research methods, including methods of investigation, data analysis and ethical considerations in both units. Both papers require students to describe psychological research, analyse and evaluate issues and support their arguments with psychological evidence.

What are the expectations of the course?

Students opting for Psychology, will demonstrate a keen interest in psychological topics and human behaviour. All students are expected to give 100% effort in class and outside of lessons. Homework will be set in accordance with the homework timetable and will be a combination of learning, reading or written tasks. Students are tested at the end of each topic and key word tests are regularly done.

What will the examination look like?

In the Summer of Year 11, students will sit an exam for both units, each worth 50% of your overall grade. Each of these written exams are 1 hour and 45 minutes and covers both knowledge and skills. Calculators are allowed. Each will have a series of long and short answer questions. Each paper will be divided into the four topic areas. There will be one longer mark question that will require synoptic skills, where students will have to cross reference a number areas of the course.

What key dates do I need to be aware of?

• Year 10 Exams in May/June

• Year 11 Mock Exams in November

Are there any specific resources that I will need?

• An A4 lever arch file that will be brought to every lesson

• The course textbook is AQA Psychology for GCSE, Cara Flanagan, Dave Berry, Ruth Jones, Mark Jones, Rob Liddle, Illuminate Publishing [isbn: 978-1-911208-04-4]. This text will be available for use in lessons although students will not be able to take this home; it would be advisable for students to purchase their own copies of the textbook, if possible.

• A calculator

Revision

Get KS4 GCSE revision here: AQA GCSE Psychology Revision

Key Stage 5

Students in Years 12 and 13 follow a scheme of work based upon the AQA A Level specification.  This is a linear A Level course and students will take all examinations in Year 13, with no controlled assessment during the psychology course. 

Psychology is a science with cutting edge research that has real world applications to a wide range of issues in everyday life, from use of artificial intelligence to social change.

A report by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) stated that: “Psychology was judged to be technically demanding and made use of complex concepts”. (February 2008)

Psychologists observe and measure behaviour and their therapies are based on scientific study.  Psychology has links with many other disciplines including biological, computer and forensic science, as well as humanities such as sociology, philosophy, anthropology and even literature.  It involves study of theory, empirical evidence and practical applications.

This mix of disciplines helps to make psychology such a fascinating subject to study at A Level.

Topics studied:

Paper 1

1. Social influence

2. Memory

3. Attachment

4. Psychopathology

Paper 2

5. Approaches in psychology

6. Biopsychology

7. Research methods

Paper 3

8. Issues and debates in psychology

• Gender
• Schizophrenia
• Aggression

Psychology is an academic and relevant subject recognised and accepted by all institutions of Further and Higher Education.

A GCSE or A Level in Psychology is a qualification that counts if you are considering a career involving interactions with the public, e.g. social work, education, business, journalism or law.

Revision

Get KS5 A-level revision help here: AQA A Level Psychology Revision

Extra-Curricular

There may be opportunities for students to attend study days and revision lectures run by outside agencies.

Useful Websites

www.simplypsychology.org
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology

Introduction

“The function of Sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden” (Pierre Bourdieu, sociologist)

Sociology is the study of human societies.Unlike other disciplines, it looks at how people live, behave and work together in groups, and asks questions about the world that we live in to tryand explain why it is the way that it is.Sociologists are interested in understanding how society influences us and shapes our lives.

Sociology helps us to relate to our experiences of living in British society and students will often engage in answering questions such as:

• Why do some groups do better in education than others?
• Who benefits from politics?
• Why do some people commit more crime than others? 
• What are the causes of poverty?
• What influence does religion have on our lives?
• Do we live in a postmodern world?

Some of the skills gained from studying sociology are: the ability to evaluate differing theories/arguments (and develop your own), essay technique and analysing and responding to a range of information sources.

The vision of the department is to encourage students to think critically of the postmodern world and achieve the best examination grades possible. 

Key Stage 5

Sociology is offered at both AS and A Leveland assessment takes place at the end of Year 12 and Year 13.  At A Level, the Department follows the AQA specification.

There is no coursework in Sociology. Topics studied include:

1. Education with theory and method
2. Families and households
3. Beliefs in society
4. Crime and deviance with theory and methods

If students are interested in current affairs and would like to find out more about the way society behaves and functions, they should consider Sociology at A Level or degree.

Sociology students go onto have a hugely diverse range of careers, from jobs in the media, such as researchers and journalists, to teaching and lecturing, police work, social work and health care. The list is endless. Sociology is a broad discipline and will give students a better understanding about the world they live in.

Extra-Curricular

A Level students attend a sociology/criminology conference in London and also visit St Alban’s Crown court to see how real courts operate to support learning about the role of judiciary.

Useful Websites

AQA exam board:www.aqa.org.uk

Chris Livsey’swebsite has some excellent teaching notes, in a textbook style. The site mainly focuses on full text rather than revision resources http://www.sociology.org.uk/cload.htm

YouTubehas plenty of materials and Steve Bassets has some excellent podcasts on a range of sociology topics:www.Youtube.com

S-Cool website is useful for revision: www.s-cool.co.uk

The Sociology section of ‘Get Revising’ (https://getrevising.co.uk/resources) which is part of the student room, has a range of resources – from class notes to mind-maps