Qualifications: Level 3 Certificate

Exam Board: Pearson/Edexcel

Entry Requirements: Grade C or above in GCSE Maths.

Overview

This qualification is equivalent in size to an AS level qualification. Its main aim is to improve students’ knowledge of Mathematics and apply it to situations in the real world. It is unlike AS Mathematics because it focuses on applying Maths to real life contexts. The course will develop a broad base of mathematical understanding and skills in order to support the mathematical content in other Level 3 qualifications, such as GCE A Level Biology, Chemistry, Economics, ICT, Geography, Psychology and BTEC Applied Science.

What will I learn?

The course is divided into four areas:

1. Application of statistics: Use of sampling, time series, histograms, cumulative frequency, interquartile range, variance, standard deviation, correlation coefficients, linear regression and spearman’s rank.

2. Probability: Use of tree diagrams, venn diagrams, conditional probability, addition rule, independent events. Risk analysis.

3. Linear programming: Application of equation solving including simultaneous equations, equations of straight lines and inequalities. Solve and interpret inequalities graphically, formulate problems as linear programs with up to three variables and solve and interpret two variable problems graphically.

4. Sequences and growth: Analysis of growth and decay (compound interest), use of indices, sequences and series, sketching different graph types including exponential functions and interpretation of gradient.

How will I learn?

This course is designed to be engaging and relevant. It will consolidate and build on students’ mathematical understanding from GCSE, and develop further mathematical understanding and skills in the application of mathematics to authentic problems. It will be delivered through discussion, teacher-led exposition, individual study and group work.

The Examination will consist of two written papers of 1hr 40mins each: ‘comprehension’ and ‘applications’. A source booklet is provided for each paper which the student will have access to Five days before the examination. For the ‘Comprehension’ paper, students will need to understand, interpret and analyse the content of the source booklet in order to be able to answer the questions. For the ‘Applications’ paper, students will need to complete four themed tasks requiring them to apply their problem solving skills. In Mathematics at Kennicott, it is expected that every student has an excellent work ethic. Not only will you be expected to focus on, and contribute to, class discussion, but a substantial amount of independent study will be required.

Where could it lead?

This course will:

• support student progression by preparing learners for the mathematics requirements of a number of higher education courses
• develop students’ understanding and ability to apply mathematics, and become equipped to apply for employment or higher apprenticeships in a wide range of industry sectors, professional training or university
• prepare students for the range of varied contexts that they are likely to encounter in vocational and academic study, future employment and life.

Contact

Damian Yates Raising Standards Leader               dyates@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Qualifications: Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (AS Level)

Exam Board: Edexcel

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and Maths.

Overview

The Extended Project is a single piece of work of a student’s own choosing which requires evidence of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. Students will be able to carry out a project on a topic which may or may not be linked to their A Levels.

What will I learn?

An Extended Project has a choice of four themes:

• investigation/field study
• dissertation
• artefact
• performance

How will I learn?

A number of learning styles will be used throughout the course and students will be given the opportunity to debate issues with the course tutor as part of individual tutorials.

Where could it lead?

The Extended Project leads to an AS award which is universally recognised in higher education.

Contact

Victoria Manley: Course Tutor                              vmanley@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Qualifications: Level 3 Certificate in the Arts

Exam Board: Trinity College London

Entry Requirements:  There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

Overview

Gold Arts Award develops young people’s creativity, communication, planning, teamwork and leadership skills. The award is also recognised on the UCAS Tariff (35 points). Gold has been designed for young people aged 16 to 25.

What will I learn?

Gold Arts Award has two units:

Unit 1: Personal Arts Development. You will extend yourself as an artist, explore the professional arts world and form a view on an arts issue.

In Unit 1, you will cover four vital areas of interest for anyone working in the arts:

1. Arts practice: you will gain experience of a new area of the arts and produce new art work by working with a more advanced practitioner.

2. The wider arts sector: you will get involved in the arts world through placements, volunteering, training and research.

3. Research and review: you will attend and review high quality arts events, reflect on how they influence your work, and also find out about the artists and their career paths.

4. Forming a view: you will make the case for an arts issue that you care about, investigate the arguments around it and present their view and findings to others.

Unit 2: Arts Projects Leadership. You will take charge of running an arts project, build your skills as an effective leader and deliver your project to a public audience.

In Unit 2, at Gold Level, your leadership project needs to show how you have taken independent responsibility for every aspect of the arts project, from planning stages to delivery, followed by evaluation.

To complete this unit, you need to:

Plan: prepare an arts leadership project, identifying aims and organising people and resources.

Do: deliver your project, manage its production and share it with the public.

Review: collect feedback from participants, audience, and other stakeholders and evaluate the project accurately.

How will I learn?

You will plan your work with an adviser, and keep a record by creating your own Arts Award portfolio. You can pick their own style of portfolio – this could be a diary, video, website blog – or something different altogether.

Where could it lead?

Arts Award Gold carries UCAS points and is widely recognised by universities.

Contact

Kathy Rablah: Arts Award Co-ordinator            krablah@kindedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Qualifications: BCS Level 3 Certificate in IT User Skills (ECDL Advanced)

Exam Board: BCS (British Computer Society)

Entry Requirements: There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification however it is recommended that you have previously studied an IT qualification at level 2.

Overview

This qualification is a level 3 Certificate that covers high level IT user skills and applications commonly used in many businesses. Completing this qualification will develop your understanding and capability in the use of IT and teach you how to use the software efficiently. This qualification is designed for people who are looking to gain an advanced level understanding and capability in the use of IT applications that are a requirement in many job roles across many different sectors today.

You will complete five specific level 3 units from the ITQ framework:

• Word Processing Software
• Spreadsheet Software
• Presentation Software

Each unit will be assessed through a one hour practical on-screen test.

What will I learn?

By completing this qualification, you will develop advanced IT user knowledge and skills you need to work productively in a managerial job role that requires the expert use of common IT software applications. You can expect to develop skills including:

• How to use IT tools to improve productivity and work more effectively; such as using automated tools and advanced features of software applications.
• How to realise the full potential of spreadsheet software to produce high-quality management information.
• How to exploit the advanced features of word processing software to enhance work, improve productivity and save time.
• How to use advanced features to create high-impact presentations, and demonstrate expert presentation skills.
• How to use advanced tools available within database software to organise and manage information.

How will I learn?

Students will learn through practical activities designed to cover the range of advanced skills necessary to pass the tests. There will also be practice tests so students can identify when they are ready to take the actual tests.

Where could it lead?

By completing this qualification you will be demonstrating that you have the advanced IT skills to competently carry out a managerial job role with a range of employers. You may also progress to further learning at level 4, studying similar IT qualifications or other unrelated courses. This qualification also attracts 40 UCAS points.

Contact 

James Hartridge – Raising Standards Leader                               jhartridge@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Qualifications: Edexcel Functional Skills qualification in ICT at Level 2

Exam Board: Edexcel

Entry Requirements: There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification.

Overview

Functional Skills Information and Communication Technology (ICT) qualifications are designed to give learners the skills to operate confidently, effectively and independently in education, work and everyday life. They have been created for learners to demonstrate to employers that they have a firm grounding in the basic skills.

The aims of these qualifications are to develop learner understanding and skills in:

• using ICT
• finding and selecting information
• developing, presenting and communicating information.

Specifically they will cover skills in finding information on the Internet, using a spreadsheet to process data and create graphs, prepare a document or presentation with information from their research and spreadsheet and use email to communicate this with others.

You will be assessed through a single two hour practical on-screen test.

What will I learn?

By completing this qualification, you will develop the sound basic skills you need to work productively in a wide range of environments that require the accurate use of common IT software applications. You can expect to develop skills including:

• search techniques and saving information that you find
• using word processing, desk top publishing or presentation software to prepare documents or presentations suitable for a specific purpose and audience
• using formulas to calculate information from data and formatting this appropriately
• sorting and filtering data to a particular purpose
• creating graphs and charts from data and improving the appearance of these

• how to use email effectively and appropriately

How will I learn?

Students will learn through practical activities designed to cover the range of basic skills necessary to pass the test. There will also be practice tests so students can identify whether they are ready to take the actual test.

Where could it lead?

By completing this qualification you will be demonstrating that you have the sound basic IT skills to competently carry out a clerical job role with a range of employers. You may also progress to further learning at level 3, studying similar IT qualifications.

Contact 

James Hartridge – Raising Standards Leader                      jhartridge@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C. Trials based on skills and ability in Football will form part of the entry for this course

Overview

This programme is designed to combine with academic studies at sixth form and will give students the opportunity to gain high quality coaching and enhanced experiences with a local professional Football team. It will show students the day to day workings of a professional club, develop their Football skills and provide work experience placements and visits to gain an insight into potential careers in Sport and Football. The programme will form one of the options that students can take at sixth form alongside their academic studies and is suited to anyone who enjoys playing Football, would like to develop their skills and potentially pursue a career as an elite player or part of a professional club.

What will I learn?

The programme consists of a range of training sessions each week delivered by UEFA qualified coaches; Wednesday afternoon games within a local elite league; cup competitions and students will also gain a 20 hour work experience placement with Plymouth Argyle during the course of the year as well as educational visits to Home Park, Argyle’s home ground. 

There will be specific training sessions on a range of aspects including;

• Pre-season training
• Tactical awareness
• Positional play
• Fitness, strength conditioning and SAQ
• Injury prevention
• Nutrition
• Phases of play

How will I learn?

The programme is delivered practically through football training sessions and game play with local league fixtures and cup competitions. Training sessions and some of the games will be held at KEVICC whilst other games will be away matches at other Argyle Partnership Programme schools including Okehampton and Ivybridge. Students will also visit Plymouth Argyle’s home ground to gain work experience and specialist led lectures by their physiotherapist, coaches and other support people within the club.  

Where could it lead?

This programme is designed for students’ who want to develop their Football skills to pursue a career in elite sport as a player or a career within a professional club such as Community Sports Coach, Physiotherapist, Dietician, Football Development Officer, Sports Manager, Business and Marketing Manager and Fitness Instructor.

Contact

Ryan Yeoman: Lead Coach  ryan.yeoman@pafc.co.uk

Mark Lovell: Programme Manager  mark.lovell@pafc.co.uk

Carly Perring: Faculty Leader for Physical Education cperring@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk