Issue 16 Autumn qualifications development support

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1 Issue 6 Autumn 0 qualifications development support

2 contents Welcome Marking Candidates Examination Scripts The Future is Online Marking GCSE Leisure and Tourism An Economic Sector that Continues to Grow Special Educational Needs (SEN) Work Under Way on CCEA Qualifications Provision New Examiner Training Delivering Training Online New Entitlement Framework Qualifications Have you got your copy of ef@ccea? Issue 6 Autumn 0 GCSE Leisure and Tourism Occupational Studies welcome I hope that you have had a restful holiday and are looking forward to the challenges of the new academic year. There are important changes and new additions in the area of qualifications. We are focusing on qualifications provision for pupils with special educational needs including Entry Level. We are revising our GCSE Additional Mathematics specification, renaming it Further Mathematics and aligning it more closely with the specification for GCSE Mathematics. We are also revising our popular Occupational Studies qualification. We also highlight the growing success of leisure and tourism in the Northern Ireland economy, and the part that our GCSE Leisure and Tourism has in preparing local students to work in this rewarding and dynamic sector. The importance of the IT sector in Northern Ireland is featured along with information on our ICT general and applied qualifications provision at GCSE and GCE A Level. We have opportunities for suitably qualified teachers to mark our examination papers and moderate assessments. The work is both professionally and financially rewarding find out more on page 7. We welcome your comments at any stage. Please contact the individual(s) named at the foot of each article or contact me by ing aswann@ccea.org.uk or phoning (08) Amanda Swann Manager Examinations 5 GCSE Additional Mathematics Revised Specification Cover picture: Giants Causeway istockphoto/thinkstock Occupational Studies New Units on the Way The Rewards for Working with CCEA Why Become an Examiner or Moderator? Grades A and A* at GCE Level Rules Governing the Award of the Top Grades ICT Laying the Foundations for Success Unique CCEA CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK, bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment. CCEA is responsible for: Awarding Qualifications as Northern Ireland s leading awarding body, we offer a diverse range of qualifications at: Entry Level, Levels 3, GCSE, GCE, QCF, and BTEC Firsts and Nationals; Monitoring Standards ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard; and Advising Government on what should be taught in Northern Ireland s schools and colleges. Skilled ICT Professionals 6 9 QDS Newsletter qds newsletter is published by CCEA twice yearly. It provides teachers, lecturers and tutors in post-primary schools, colleges and other educational settings with up-to-date information on development and support matters relating to our full range of qualifications. qds newsletter is published by CCEA, 9 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast BT 3BG. Tel. (08) , Fax (08) , Web: For further information on the content in the qds newsletter, please contact the individual(s) named at the foot of each article. For editorial matters, please contact Doon Storey, Programme Manager, Examinations, at dstorey@ccea.org.uk or on (08) 906. Marking Candidates Examination Scripts The Future is Online Marking If you have collected students scripts after an examination, you ll be aware how much paper can be involved in a single school. Take hundreds of schools into account, and it s clear that storing and transporting scripts requires a lot of time and space. To provide a better service to schools, we have been developing, testing and piloting the use of online marking of scripts; in summer 0, we marked 50,000 GCSE Mathematics and GCSE ICT scripts in this way. An added advantage of this is the introduction of automated, and therefore accurate, totalling of students marks. In summer 0, we increased the number of scripts we marked online to 90,000. We plan to continue adding more subjects into the programme and aim to mark 75 percent of candidates scripts online in a summer series within five years. To find out more about our new online marking system, Amanda Swann aswann@ccea.org.uk (08) 906 0

3 GCSE Leisure and Tourism An Economic Sector that Continues to Grow GCSE Leisure and Tourism consists of four units. Unit Introduction to Leisure and Tourism (external exam, 40 percent) the important part that leisure and tourism play in today s society; facilities and organisations that make up the industry, from leisure centres and theatres to travel agents and airlines; changes affecting the leisure and tourism industry; and the wide range of jobs available. Unit Customer Service in the Leisure and Tourism Industry (controlled assessment, 0 percent) why giving excellent customer service plays a vital role in the leisure and tourism industry; and customer service skills, which students learn through theory, role play, or in real work environments. Unit 4 Unit 3 Even in this financial climate, the leisure and tourism sector is growing. In the year ending May 0 the number of visitors to the UK rose by 3% to 3. million; total spend rose to 8. billion, an annual growth of 6% (before inflation ). In Northern Ireland, tourism has the potential to make a significant contribution to our economic growth and to the social fabric. The programme of events and celebrations for 0 aims to attract an additional 50,000 visitors, create over 600 new jobs and inject 4 million additional revenue into the local economy. At September 0, tourism and leisure jobs accounted for 8% of all employee jobs in Northern Ireland 3. It is important that local students have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to work in this rewarding and dynamic sector. Our GCSE Leisure and Tourism qualification can give them exciting and challenging opportunities to do just that. It is ideal preparation for those who want to go on to further study, training or work in the industry. Leisure and Tourism Destinations (controlled assessment, 0 percent) exploring leisure and tourism destinations within the UK, Europe and worldwide; where people go in their leisure time and why they select those destinations; and the impact of tourism on communities and environments. To find out more about our GCSE Leisure and Tourism qualification: visit contact Margaret McMullan mmcmullan@ccea.org.uk (08) ext 85 Marketing in the Leisure and Tourism Industry (controlled assessment, 0 percent) marketing within the leisure and tourism industry, including market research techniques and target marketing strategies; investigating promotional techniques; and producing promotional materials. Sources Inbound Tourism Trends Quarterly (July 0) Northern Ireland Tourist Board Annual Report 00/0 3 Tourism Performance Estimates Northern Ireland 0 (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, published April 0) Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge - istockphoto/thinkstock 3

4 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Work Under Way on CCEA Qualifications Provision We have recently consulted with learners, parents, schools and colleges, employers and other organisations on the provision of qualifications for learners with special educational needs. What s happening now: We are consulting with teachers to find out what you like about our current Entry Level Qualifications (ELQ) and what you would like to see changed. We are considering putting our ELQ on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) which will allow small steps in learners achievements to be recognised at unit level and at qualification level by internal assessment. New Examiner Training Next steps: We will be recruiting teachers to join writing teams to develop ELQ. We will continue to consult with teachers and wider stakeholders on our draft specifications and on supporting their delivery by teachers. Delivering Training To find out more or share your views, Dr Elaine Horner ehorner@ccea.org.uk (08) New Entitlement Framework Qualifications Have you got your copy of ef@ccea? You can find information on what we are doing to help you meet the Entitlement Framework in our separate publication, ef@ccea. Out now, the latest edition includes information on how we consulted with teachers and business and industry specialists to develop the specifications. It also has details on where to go to view draft unaccredited versions online. GCE: Environmental Technology Journalism in the Media and Communications Industry Performing Arts Software and Systems Development Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry GCSE: Agriculture and Land Use Contemporary Crafts Levels and : Creative Craft, Understanding Business Enterprise and Employability Personal and Citizenship Effectiveness Space Science Technology Understanding Business Enterprise with Languages and Tourism GCSE Additional Mathematics The new qualifications are stimulating and rewarding for learners, and provide progression pathways into further education and work. We have already sent copies of ef@ccea to schools. To order more copies contact Distribution on: (08) btrainor@ccea.org.uk To read ef@ccea online, go to and follow the Entitlement Framework link on the home page. Revised Specification 4 Online Previously, before new examiners started working for us, they received training at an annual event held in our building. In May 0 we offered this training online, alongside the traditional face-to-face approach, for the first time. Following feedback from those who received both forms of training, we delivered training for new examiners in 0 online only. From now on, we will continue to train new examiners online. Examiner Online Training To find out more about examiner training, Brendan McDowell bmcdowell@ccea.org.uk (08) We have revised our current GCSE Additional Mathematics specification, taught in schools since September 00. We have renamed it GCSE Further Mathematics, and it will now be available for first teaching from September 03. First examination and first award will be in summer 04. As part of this revision, we reviewed the subject content to bring the assessment objectives into line with our GCSE Mathematics specification, revised in 00. We reduced the number of documents that candidates have to manage during the examination. The question paper, supplementary booklet, answer booklet and formula booklet have been replaced with a single question and answer booklet. The revised GCSE Further Mathematics draft specification will soon be available online at To find out more about our new GCSE Further Mathematics specification, Eleanore Thomas ethomas@ccea.org.uk (08) ext 09 5

5 Occupational Studies New Units on the Way Our Occupational Studies qualifications can help prepare learners aged 4 6 to follow vocational routes in further and higher education. Each qualification is available at Levels and and consists of two units. This allows learners to explore different areas within: Design and Creativity (7 units available); In 00/0, we awarded almost 0,000 Occupational Studies units to learners throughout Northern Ireland nearly 0 percent more than the year before. We are continuing to make changes that will provide centres and learners with even more choice. The Rewards for Working with CCEA Why Become an Examiner or Moderator? We currently have opportunities for suitably qualified teachers to mark examination papers and moderate assessments. This applies to a range of subjects and qualifications, particularly: English 0 Religious Studies History 0 Geography Music 6 Technology and Innovation ( units); Construction ( units); Business and Services (0 units); Environment and Society (6 units); or Engineering and Engineering Services ( units). For example, from September 0, the following units count towards a qualification in Design and Creativity OR Business and Services: Food Preparation and Cooking (Patisserie); Food Preparation and Cooking (Kitchen and Larder); and Styling Hair by Blow-Drying. We also plan to have 4 new units available for first teaching from September 03 and existing units refreshed. New units will be in vocational areas ranging from Computer Aided Design to Animal Care. For a full list of new units, as well as details of those available at the moment, see our Occupational Studies microsite at If you would like more information, Nuala Braniff nbraniff@ccea.org.uk (08) ext 9 istockphoto/thinkstock There are also opportunities for teachers proficient in Irish who have suitable GCSE or GCE subject expertise. Being an examiner or moderator would: provide you with an insight into the assessment process and the standards required across a full range of candidate performance; broaden your understanding of your subject; increase your income; allow you to network with others, sharing experiences and good practice; and have the potential to open up opportunities for professional development. Through the Teacher Release scheme, we cover your centre s costs for any teacher cover needed to allow you to attend examiner/moderator meetings. How to apply or find out more Visit our Examiner Recruitment microsite at There, you can click on Apply/Contact and apply online or download an application form. You can also speak with a member of staff in our Appointments Section by calling (08) Comstock/Thinkstock & istockphoto/thinkstock 7

6 Grades A and A* at GCE Level Rules Governing the Award of the Top Grades ICT Laying the Foundations for Success Under the rules at A Level, it s possible for a student awarded an A grade to have more uniform marks than another who receives an A*. You might have experience of this among your students. Here s how it can happen. To get an A*, students must achieve: an A grade overall... For a four-unit A Level, this means getting 80 percent or more of the 400 uniform marks available: at least 30 for the AS and A units combined percent or more of the uniform marks available for the A units. For a four-unit A Level, this means scoring at least 80 of the 00 uniform marks available in the two A units. Northern Ireland needs highly skilled IT professionals. Growth and investment in the IT sector targeted as a priority by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI), Invest NI and others depend on them. Hemera Technologies/Thinkstock In this example, Student B has more uniform marks overall (330), but only Student A meets both requirements and achieves an A*: Uniform Marks for Each Unit Raw Marks and Uniform Marks: What s the Difference? Raw marks are the marks that appear on candidates scripts. Examiners award them for candidates answers as set out in the mark scheme. Uniform marks are used in awarding grades for modular qualifications. They ensure that the awarding process treats candidates fairly from year to year. Overall Uniform Marks Uniform Marks at A AS AS A 3 A 4 Total At least 80%? Total At least 90%? Student A A* Student B A Applying the two rules means that only students who do exceptionally well in the more challenging A units receive the top A* grade. A Level Grade For more detail and a worked example, go to the Accreditation section at and select Guidance, then Uniform Mark Scheme. Studying ICT enhances learners digital literacy skills, which can help them succeed in a dynamic and diverse economy. This can open up job opportunities in the IT sector in Northern Ireland and beyond. Students choosing to study ICT can: deepen their knowledge and understanding of the technologies that help to shape our everyday lives; and gain insight into the impact that these technologies have on individuals, society and the wider world. We offer the following specifications: GCSE ICT; GCE A Level ICT; GCSE Applied ICT; and GCE A Level Applied ICT. We are also developing a new GCE qualification in Software and Systems Development. You can access our specifications and support online, through our ICT and Applied ICT microsites at The microsites also provide a range of support materials, including: exemplar materials; Chief Examiner s reports; past papers and mark schemes; schemes of work; teaching materials (for GCSE ICT); coursework tips; and controlled assessment teacher and student guides. To find out more about any of our GCSE and GCE ICT qualifications, or to request a personal visit to your school, Michael McAuley mmcauley@ccea.org.uk (08) ext

7 CCEA s Mission To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised. CCEA s Values We place learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of our thinking.