Note
This page is based on a briefing document from QCA
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QCA Address
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 83 Piccadilly London W1J 8QA
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QCA Contact Information
General enquiries Tel: 020 75095555 Fax: 020 75096666 Minicom: 020 7509 6546 Email: info@qca.org.uk
ICT enquiries Tel: 020 75095674 Fax: 020 75096951 Email: ict@qca.org.uk
Key skills enquiries Tel: 020 75095305 Fax: 020 75096951 Email: key-skills @qca.org.uk
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Contact Details
Additional Help and Support is available from Hertfordshires: ICT Secondary National Strategy Consultants
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Schemes of Work		AS/ A levels	Entry Level Qualifications
Key Skills	FAQs		GCSE in Applied ICT
ICT in other subjects of the National Curriculum	ICT Programmes of Study		GNVQ & VCE

AS/A levels

Q: What changes have been made to the new AS/A level specifications?

A: There are no major changes to AS/A levels in ICT.

These courses started in September 2000. The full A level now has six units of approximately equal size. The first three units make up the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualification. The other three units are now known as A2. AS and A level qualifications may be assessed either in stages or at the end of the course.

A successful candidate in AS ICT or AS computing will gain exemption from the external test for the IT key skill at level 3 when they 'cash in' their units for AS certification.

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Entry Level Qualifications (certificates of achievement)

Q: What are the entry level qualifications?

A: Entry level qualifications are the initial level in the National Qualifications Framework. They are designed for learners who are not yet ready for GCSE, foundation GNVQ or NVQ level 1, and there are three stages of achievement which are broadly in line with national curriculum levels 1-3.

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GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)

Q: What is the GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)?

A: From September 2002, the GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award) will be available. The qualification is designed for key stage 4 pupils with an interest in vocational aspect of ICT and is equivalent to two GCSEs; it will be awarded at grades A*A* to GG. The subject content of the qualification can be found on the National Database of accredited qualifications www.ndaq.org.uk
Accredited Qualifications: Search Results

The qualification carries a minimum of two-thirds external (portfolio) assessment and represents a development from the Part One GNVQ in ICT.

Further information may be obtained from the awarding bodies.

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GNVQs and VCEs

Q: What is happening with GNVQ and VCE?

A: Foundation and intermediate GNVQs in ICT will be available as 6-unit awards at least until 2004, and the VCE in ICT continues to be available as 12-unit, 6-unit and 3-unit awards. In all cases a successful candidate will gain exemption from all the IT Key Skill assessment requirement at the same level (foundation = level 1, intermediate = level 2, advanced = level 3).

Part One GNVQ in ICT will no longer be available for students starting two-year courses form September 2002. (please see GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award). One-year courses could start in September 2002, but should be completed by summer 2003. There will be a single resit opportunity in January 2004.

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The ICT programmes of study

Q: What are the requirements for teaching ICT at key stages 1 and 2?

A: Schools must cover the programmes of study for each of these key stages and report to parents on pupils' progress one a year. The published schemes of work provide an example of how to teach the ICT programme of study.

Q: What are the Assessment requirements for ICT at Key stages 1 and 2?

A: There is no statutory obligation for teachers to record and report pupils attainment in the form of levels at the end of key stages 1 and 2, although many schools do as effective practice, demonstrating progression and supporting transition. Teachers will use their professional judgement to determine the most effective method of gathering evidence of pupils' progress and the most appropriate way of reporting to parents. Progress in ICT must be reported as a separate subject, not only as a statement within other subject reports.

Q: What is the expected level of attainment at the end of each of key stages 1 and 2?

A: At the end of key stage 1, the expected level for the majority of pupils is level 2.
At the end of key stage 2, the expected level for the majority of pupils is level 4.

Q: What are the statutory requirements for teaching ICT at key stage 3?

A: Schools must cover the programme of study for the key stage and report to parents on pupils' progress once a year. Further information about the KS3 National Strategy is available here...

Q: What are the assessment requirements of ICT at key stage 3?

A: At the end of year 9 teachers must produce a separate subject report and award an attainment level for each pupil. Parents should receive notification of these results by the end of the summer term, along with comparative school results for year 9 pupils and national averages for the previous year. The expected level of attainment for the majority of pupils at the end of key stage 3 is level 5/6.

The targets for the percentage of students gaining level 5 or above in Hertfordshire are;

Q: Is there any guidance on teacher assessment and where can I find examples of pupils' work showing national curriculum level?

A: QCA has worked with teachers and schools to find examples of pupils' work showing the levels of the national curriculum at key stages 1-3. You can find this exemplification on the National Curriculum in Action web site ( www.ncaction.org.uk). In addition to the work-samples the site includes a progression map which identifies the key characteristics of each level. There are links to this web site from the National Curriculum web site ( www.nc.uk.net) and also from the Schemes of Work on the DfES Standards web site ( www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk). Teachers can use the site to create 'portfolios' by downloading and saving pupils' work and associated commentaries.

Q: Are there going to be statutory tests in ICT at the end of key stage 3?

A: QCA is currently conducting a study to look at the feasibility of key stage 3 ICT on-line testing. The report is due in the spring of 2002.

Q: What are the requirements for teaching ICT at key stage 4?

A: ICT is a compulsory feature of the key stage 4 curriculum. Schools must cover the programme of study and report to parents on pupils' progress once a year.

Q: Is there a requirement to assess ICT formally at key stage 4, for example through a recognised qualification?

A: There is no statutory requirement to assess pupils formally in any subject at the end of key stage 4.

Q: What qualifications have been mapped to meet the requirements for the key stage 4 programme of study?

A: Key Skill in IT at levels 1 & 2
GNVQ and Part One GNVQ in ICT
GCSE and GCSE Short Course in ICT
GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)

Other qualifications may also match parts of the programme of study at key stage 4 but schools must insure that the full programme of study is available to pupils.

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ICT in other subjects of the national curriculum

Q: Is there any guidance on the statutory use of ICT in other curriculum subjects?

A: QCA and Becta are working together to provide examples of how schools are effectively meeting the statutory requirement for the use of ICT in other subjects of the national curriculum. This guidance will be available in the spring of 2002.

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Key Skills

Q: What are key skills?

A: There are six key skills: Application of number; Communication; Information Technology; Working with Others; Improving Own Learning and Performance and Problem Solving. Opportunities for students to develop key skills and to improve evidence towards attaining key skills are now signposted in the AS/A level, GCSE and GNVQ specifications.

The IT key skill at level 1 and 2 is aligned with the national curriculum requirements for ICT at key stage 4 and is a stand-alone single-unit qualification. The central place of the IT key skill is recognised in other ICT qualifications by which candidates can gain exemptions from aspects of the assessment of all or part of the IT key skill. For the full list of qualifications which act as proxies, visit www.qca.org.uk/qca_6562.aspx

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Schemes of Work

Q: What is the latest information on the exemplar schemes of work produced by QCA?

A: Primary Scheme of Work
There have been no changes to the primary scheme of work. The scheme of work is available online on the DfES Standards web site, www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/schemes. However, QCA and Becta are developing a set of teaching materials to support the safe use of the Internet. These materials will include an online resource and teaching pack and will enhance the primary scheme of work. The materials will be available during 2002

A: Key stage 3
There are no changes to the key stage 3 scheme of work, which was published in 2000. The scheme of work is available online at www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/schemes. The QCA scheme is providing the basis for teaching materials produced by the key stage 3 ICT pilot strategy. The national key stage 3 ICT strategy will begin in September 2002. Further information on KS3 is available here...

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