Ratcliffe College - Sixth Form Handbook

Course Details
Students will follow the Cambridge
International AS/A Level in IT course.
The course is non-linear, so students
will sit an AS examination at the end of
Year 12 and a final A2 examination at
the end of Year 13. The details of the
examinations are listed below:
Year 12
Paper 1 - Theory - 90 Marks
1 Hour 45 minutes
This written paper tests sections 1–10
of the syllabus content.
Paper 2 - Practical - 110 Marks
2 Hours 30 minutes
This paper tests sections 8–10 of the
syllabus content. Candidates will also
need to use their previous knowledge
from sections 1–7.
Year 13
Paper 1 - Theory - 90 Marks
1 Hour 45 minutes
This written paper tests sections 11–19
of the syllabus content. The content of
sections 1–10 is assumed knowledge.
Paper 2 - Practical - 110 Marks
2 Hours 30 minutes
This paper tests sections 16–19 of the
syllabus content, and sections 8–9 of
the syllabus content within a problemsolving
context.
Course Outline
Year 12
1. Data, information, knowledge and
processing.
2. Hardware and Software.
3. Monitoring and Control – sensors
4. E-safety and Health and Safety
5. The Digital Divide
6. Using Networks
7. Expert systems and other types of
processing
8. Spreadsheets
9. Database and file concepts
10. Sound and video editing
Year 13
1. Emerging Technologies
2. Role and impact of IT in society
3. Networks
4. Project management
5. System life cycle
6. Graphics creation
7. Animation
8. Mail merge
9. Programming for the web:
Why choose IT?
In a world where information
technology (IT) is constantly
changing, individuals increasingly
need IT literacy skills that include
the ability to gather, process and
manipulate data. Studying IT at
Ratcliffe will help students to
develop a broad range of skills
and knowledge as well as an
understanding how of IT systems
work.
Students will also learn about
the wider impact of IT on society
in general, understanding the
consequences of data security,
safety and the digital divide.
Related Subjects
Subjects which work well with IT
include; Maths, Business, Media,
Economics and Design Technology
Course Requirements
Whilst a GCSE in ICT is not
a mandatory requirement for
this subject, the student will be
required to show mastery of certain
mathematical and digital skills
in coursework in GCSE subjects,
involving both research and
presentation.
Where relevant, reports will be
sought from GCSE teachers.
However, passes in Maths and
English and Science, coupled with
a logical and analytical mind would
be considered good pre-requisites for
this course.
Further Important Information
Information & Communication is
all around us, and so any reading
of current events and the impact
of technology on society is an
invaluable introduction. Further
details can be obtained from the ICT/
Computing Department.
Higher Education and Careers
Options
This qualification supports
progression into appropriate Further/
Higher Education, employment or
training and has been designed to
provide a suitable foundation for the
study of IT, or a related area of study.
Examples of appropriate Further/
Higher Education include:
• Honours and Foundation degrees in IT,
Computing or a related subject
• Higher Nationals in ICT or a related subject
• Level 4 NVQs in ICT or a related subject.
IT
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