The North School Sixth Form

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1 The North School Sixth Form Level 2 Courses

2 Contents Our Level 2 Pathways and English and Maths re-takes. Business Studies and Customer Services. Working with Children. Travel and Tourism. Sport and Activity Leadership. Work Experience. What next?

3 Our Level 2 Pathways Students select a Level 2 pathway for different reasons. Some students may have hoped to study Level 3 courses, but narrowly missed out on achieving the entry requirements; they may need to re-take their Mathematics and English GCSE s for example. Other students may need a foundation year before starting their Level 3 studies or be unsure of the best pathway for them at either Sixth Form or College. Level 2 pathways at The North School offer our students the opportunity to re-take Mathematics and English GCSE as well as obtain respected and worthwhile qualifications in three distinct areas. Students intending to follow a Level 2 pathway should select ONE main option subject. They may later have the opportunity to combine subjects where possible to create their own bespoke course which will support their future studies or employment. For further information, please speak to a member of the Sixth Form team. English and Maths re-takes All students who have not achieved a grade 4 pass in Mathematics and English need to continue to study these subjects until they either pass or they reach their eighteenth birthday, whether they are at school, college, following a traineeship or apprenticeship or are in employment. At The North School, we offer all students following our Level 2 pathways the opportunity to continue their Mathematics and English studies with a view to achieving these by the end of their one-year course. Students who have narrowly missed out on a grade 4 pass will be given the chance to re-sit the examination in November, whilst those who will need more support to achieve a pass grade will re-take the examination in June. Students have timetabled lessons in each subject and lessons are taught by experienced staff from our Mathematics and English departments.

4 Business Studies and Customer Services Subject Leader : Mr A Besanko Students follow two courses which, between them, provide a sound basis to progress further to a Level 3 qualification such as a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business. The courses have been developed in consultation with cross-sector employers to ensure they enable learners to develop the skills and behaviours that will give them the best opportunity to be successful when applying for work. They are for learners intending to pursue a career in business, administration or customer services and are ideal qualifications for those intending to progress directly to employment in an administrative or customer service role, an apprenticeship, or as a stepping stone to further study on Level 3 courses. Learners will also enhance their broader skills in literacy and numeracy, which will be invaluable in supporting progression in other areas. They will also develop transferable technical and practical skills in communication, decision making, self-management and development, problem-solving and managing information. Business Studies This qualification covers a series of topics designed to allow students to learn about a range of roles within different organisations and develop a clear understanding of how a business functions and the way in which the modern economy works. All the content of the qualification is mandatory. The areas covered include: Business administrative environment Providing administrative services and support Business technology Processing and communicating information Assessment is a combination of external examination and coursework. Approximately 3.2 million people in the UK are employed in an administrative or secretarial role. These roles vary across sectors but employers expect their administrative staff to be multi-skilled, with technical and practical skills that include an increased focus on service delivery, both in the workplace and digitally.

5 Business Studies and Customer Services Customer Services This course allows students to investigate the ever developing service economy. It opens up a range of opportunities in employment and of further study by developing a holistic set of skills which are inherently transferable. All the content of the qualification is mandatory and relates directly to the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected by employers in a customer service operations role. The areas covered include: The customer service environment Delivering face-to-face customer service Delivering digital customer service Improving customer service Learners are required to successfully complete all the units included in this qualification. Assessment is by a combination of examination and coursework. The Customer Service sector continues to grow rapidly, employing approximately 2.5 million people in the UK across all industries. The roles in customer service operations are changing, as customers are more willing to challenge service, demand faster response times, make cross-sector comparisons about service standards and expect services tailored to their individual needs. Customer service is also moving towards being a service-led economy, where technology is used to spread the word about customer service delivery and to define expectations and customer loyalty. Roles can be varied across sectors and employers are placing greater emphasis on the skills and behaviours of staff who are in direct contact with the customer, whether face to face or digitally.

6 Working with Children Lead Teacher : Mrs C Wallis Level 2 Technical Certificate What the Qualification covers: This qualification covers a range of key subject areas that provide learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to care for and educate children aged between 0 and 11 years 11 months old. How is this qualification structured? To gain this qualification, learners must achieve a minimum of a Pass grade in each of the six mandatory units. These units will be internally assessed and graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. Unit 1 Child development from birth to 11 years 11 months Unit 2 Play and learning Unit 3 Exploring legislation Unit 4 The role of the childcare practitioner Unit 5 Nutrition and Unit 6 Physical development and physical activity In addition, learners will need to complete: A Professional Skills Record. This will be completed over a minimum of 120 hours of placement in a real work environment. A synoptic short answer external exam which will be undertaken at the end of the qualification. Where can this course lead? This qualification has been designed to allow progression onto Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications and other Level 3 qualifications relating to Childcare, Health and Social Care or Supporting Teaching and Learning. This qualification is designed as entry to the workforce at Level 2 and may support progression into a range of job roles in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors. Learners can progress in the workplace in a variety of job roles, such as a Nursery Assistant, Classroom Assistant or a Preschool Assistant.

7 Travel and Tourism Lead Teacher : Mr B Robbins This qualification provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of travel and tourism, giving you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including accommodation, tourism development and promotion, transport and visitor attractions. You will investigate the importance of the Travel and Tourism sector to the UK and investigate different types of customer and UK destinations. You will also have the opportunity to study international travel and tourism. You will develop key skills, such as research, report drafting and writing skills and project management. The qualification is aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about the travel and tourism industry. You will study three mandatory units, covering the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to work in the industry: (Core) 1. UK travel and tourism sector. 2. UK travel and tourism destinations. 3. The travel and tourism customer experience. You will choose one further unit from two optional units, covering more specific aspects of the global travel and tourism sector. These are: (Optional) 4. International travel and tourism destinations. 5. Factors affecting worldwide travel and tourism. You will carry out tasks and assignments throughout the course which your teacher will assess and mark giving you continual feedback as to how you are getting on. For the assessment of Unit 3: The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience, you will be able to draw on the knowledge, skills and understanding you have developed in the qualification as a whole. The assessment for Unit 1: The UK Travel and Tourism Sector, is a test that is marked externally. This test includes multiple-choice and open-ended-response questions based on main types of tourism in the UK and the different component industries that make up the UK Travel and Tourism sector. Where will this take me? The sector-specific skills and knowledge gained from completing this course will provide a sound basis for progression to further study of this sector at Level 3 through a vocational qualification such as a BTEC National in Travel and Tourism, or an apprenticeship in either travel and tourism or hospitality.

8 Sport and Activity Leadership Subject Leader : Miss S Kray This qualification is an exceptional opportunity for those wanting to continue their studies in Sport and who have a particular interest in leading or coaching. The qualification is organised in such a way that there are key elements of work experience for students to complete which have been set up in consultation with key employers. The structure of the qualification means that there are 7 units to complete over the course of the year: Leading Sport Safely and Effectively (examination) Working in Sport and Activity Leadership (examination) Leading Sport and Physical Activity Coaching Sport Developing Skills for Sport and Activity Leadership Getting Others Active Outdoors (optional) Leading Different Groups (optional) Delivering a Sports Activity Event There are two examined units, whilst other units are assessed via a variety of coursework elements including PowerPoint presentations, essays, posters and written reports. The students are also assessed through their practical abilities in relation to leadership sessions. The examinations are both in different forms; the first is an onscreen test, which is well suited to those students who find longer written assessments more challenging. The second examination is a task-based activity where students are expected to respond to a situation presented to them based on what has been learnt throughout the unit.

9 Sport and Activity Leadership Unit 5: Developing sports and activity leadership allows the students to get involved with a hands on approach by working with a company in the sport and active leisure industry to complete some real life work experience. This is a fantastic opportunity which not only allows students to apply some of the knowledge they have learnt throughout the course but it will also widen their knowledge of the job roles available within the industry. The structure of this course enables some sections to be taught through practical elements to assist students with their understanding of some of the theoretical elements which they are then able to implement into their coursework and examination elements. Across the year, students will learn how to plan and lead sports sessions and coach sport, how to use initiatives to encourage people to participate and what skills are needed to be successful within the industry. Students will also consider the importance of planning sessions to meet the needs of a variety of groups and the course will culminate in the students organising and running a sports activity event which helps them combine all of the skills and knowledge developed over the course of the qualification. By the end of the course it is hoped that students will have developed the ability to communicate effectively with a range of different groups, have improved their own confidence and also considered how important it is to be able to work independently. It is also expected that through the activities completed they will naturally develop skills of teamwork, leadership and resilience, particularly when working alongside others. Each of these are important life skills to help students as they move forward with their studies.

10 Work Experience All Level 2 students have a timetable which includes one day per week of work experience. For the first one or two terms this will be carried out in the school setting, but after this students are expected to arrange their own placement with support from the Sixth Form Team. Work experience is quickly becoming an essential element of many vocational courses and is a compulsory module of the new technical qualifications. All work experience placements are vetted for suitability and checks are made to ensure employers conform to liability and insurance requirements. The placement needs to be relevant to the course being taken and forms a valuable component of the overall qualification. Students are expected to complete work experience diaries to enable them to record the types of work they have undertaken and to reflect on the tasks completed. What next? Our Level 2 pathways are all one year courses, which means if you complete them successfully, you can still complete a two year, Level 3 (A level equivalent) course here at The North School, at another Sixth Form or at College subject to meeting entry requirements. You may decide that you are ready to leave formal education and start a traineeship or seek an apprenticeship. Our strong relationships with local employers and apprenticeship providers means that we are in an excellent position to support you along this route. You will receive comprehensive careers and progression guidance during your time here, which will include support in making informed choices about your next steps.

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12 The North School Essella Road Ashford Kent TN24 8AL Tel: Fax: Web: Head of School : Mrs A Lawrence Chair of Governors : Mrs L York