ICT at Wolgarston enables learners to make the leap from passive consumers to active producers of quality digital content. It develops their ability to organise themselves and their work and encourages them to reflect critically on their own and others’ use of ICT. We are now in our second year in the delivery of the DIDA suite of qualifications for years 9/10 in the core and years 10/11 in the option blocks. Applied GCE is delivered for years 12 & 13, the combination of these qualifications will ensure that the ICT curriculum will enable all students to have a well rounded knowledge of ICT upon their completion of studies.

Students in Year 9 will start their time at Wolgarston building on the knowledge and skills that they have acquired at their previous schools. 
Students will be introduced to our VTLE (Virtual Teaching Learning Environment) and complete tasks on Databases and Spreadsheets.
In October the students will start their GCSE’s with the foundation Unit of the suite of Qualifications under the DiDA umbrella, which once completed will give them one GCSE.

The DiDA qualifications prepare students for the real world of work or further education.  They are designed to stimulate students’ creativity and develop real-world, practical skills that will motivate learning across a wide range of subjects.
In Year 10 students will continue on Unit 1, this will offer them the Award (AiDA), which is equivalent to one GCSE.
Those students that choice ICT as an option will be allowed to complete anywhere from two to four units, which in turn will offer students two to four GCSE’s.

This course is an essential for every student who is doing a post-sixteen course as it develops the knowledge, skills and understanding of how to use ICT effectively in your studies - and later on in your work. It recognises that nowadays every person is affected by ICT - at home, in education and lifelong learning, and also in working life.
You will learn about the benefits and drawbacks of ICT and how it impacts on people's lives. You will learn how to select and use the tools that will allow you to:-

· carry out investigations
· capture and handle data
· solve problems
· make decisions
· present and communicate information
· plan and manage projects
· work well with others

Students in the sixth form will work on the GCE Applied ICT (Single Award)

AS GCE in Applied ICT

Made up of 3 AS units this qualification is equivalent to 1/2 GCE A-level. You will need to take the first three units:-
Unit 1
AS level
The Information Age
Portfolio unit
Unit 2
AS level
The Digital Economy
Portfolio unit
Unit 3
AS level
The Knowledge Worker
2 hour computer-based practical exam

Advanced GCE in Applied ICT

Made up of 3 AS units and 3 A2 units this qualification is equivalent to 1 GCE A-level. You will need to take these units:-
Unit 7
A2 level
Using Database Software
25 hour practical assessment, externally assessed
Unit 8
A2 level
Managing ICT Projects
Portfolio unit
Unit 11
A2 level
Using Spreadsheet Software
Portfolio unit
 
GCE Applied ICT – Tutor Support Material 

For GCE Applied and DIDA websites click here