Vocational Faculty
The aim of the Vocational Faculty is to raise student awareness of their own potential; to motivate and interest the students and provide opportunities for them to take control of their own future. In order to achieve these aims we equip the students with transferable skills and encourage students to be confident, self–motivated and adaptable, and ensure they demonstrate responsible behaviour and co-operation.
The curriculum areas on offer constantly change, due to the dynamic nature of the work place and trends in vocational subjects. Presently the Vocational Faculty offers a range of courses at different levels to ensure all students have access to the Sixth Form.
ADVANCED LEVEL SUBJECTS IN THE FACULTY
All Sixth Form students are expected to gain a broad-based education, hence General Studies is a required subject for all students studying Advanced courses.
AS and A2 Economics and Psychology are also offered. These are mainly assessed using terminal examinations, but some modules allow for project work.
The Faculty also offers applied A-levels that are broad-based vocational qualifications designed to allow students flexible progression routes moving on to higher education or further training and employment. The qualifications provide knowledge and understanding of each vocational area, but the fundamental philosophy of the qualifications is that students should actually experience the vocational area under study. This can be achieved through a variety of approaches including work experience, links with local employers and organisations, case studies, trips, residentials and research. Assessment of all vocational courses is designed to give credit for what students can do as well as what they know, hence a variety of assessment methods are used such as production of portfolio evidence, presentations and external testing. The vocational areas on offer with applied A levels include:
Applied Business, Health and Social Care, Travel and Tourism, and Leisure Studies .
ONE YEAR COURSES ON OFFER BY THE VOCATIONAL FACULTY
A variety of courses are available to support students who wish to study for at least one year in the Sixth Form. The aim of these courses is to build on the foundations of GCSEs or Work Related Curriculum experiences, yet to offer a new and exciting opportunity for study which will enable each student to achieve their true potential. The courses are all vocational in nature, allowing progression onto Advanced courses or employment. The support given to these students is unrivalled. The courses are mainly at GCSE level but other relevant qualifications are available. Assessment methods include the preparation of portfolios as well as external testing. Currently the following subjects are on offer:
Leisure and Tourism OCR National level 1, a foundation course
Health and Social Care OCR National Level 2 (equivalent to four GCSEs)
GCSE General Studies
