INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY – KS4
Core – Cambridge Nationals (Level 1 & 2)
Core ICT
This is the core ICT course and will be taken by ALL students regardless of any other ICT
option choices.
The OCR Cambridge Nationals are vocationally related qualifications that take an engaging,
practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. They’re industry relevant,
geared to key sector requirements and very popular with schools and colleges because they
suit such a broad range of learning styles and abilities.
Assessment
The breakdown of this course is 25% external assessment (exam) and 75% internal
assessment (coursework).
The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)
Cambridge Nationals
qualification
Level 2 Distinction *
Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit
Level 2 Pass
Level 1 Distinction
Level 1 Merit
Level 1 Pass
GCSE
equivalent
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F/G
Students will cover the following units:
Year 10
Unit R001: Understanding Computer
Systems (external exam)
On completion of this unit, learners will have
gained the knowledge and understanding to
use computers more effectively in a variety
of different contexts including home, school
and the workplace. Their regard for their
own personal data security and for the
security of the data of others will be
increased and, overall, learners will be more
informed users of computers making them
more effective participators in business and
social life.
Year 11
Unit R003: Handling Data Using
Spreadsheets
Unit R002: Using ICT to Create
Business Solutions
On completion of this unit learners will have
extended their capability in the use of
applications software.
Unit R011: Understanding Technology
– A Project Approach
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to interpret requirements for a
spreadsheet, take unstructured data, plan
how to use it in a spreadsheet, create and
populate a spreadsheet, use relevant
functions and tools to manipulate the data
and produce outputs to present the data
graphically to support decision making.
On completion of this unit learners will have
acquired the transferable skills to work
through the cycle of planning, research,
presentation and analysis to answer a
question, test a hypothesis or to design a
product or new concept.
This unit will be delivered through the
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system
and will therefore carry with it an additional,
industry-related qualification.
Options
Academic
Option 2 – WJEC 178 01/02 Full Course in ICT
‘The Academic Option’
A course in Information and Communication Technology offers a unique opportunity in the
curriculum for candidates to identify and solve real problems by designing information and
communication systems in a wide range of contexts relating to their personal interests.
Information and Communication Technology develops candidates' interdisciplinary skills and
their capacity for imaginative, innovative thinking, creativity and independence. Those with
other interests and aspirations can also benefit from the many transferable skills inherent in
the study of Information and Communication Technology.
Assessment
Unit 1: Understanding ICT (20%)
This examination paper will assess the
requirements of the Key Stage 4 Programme
of Study for Information and Communication
Technology and the functional elements of
ICT in a home and school context.
Unit 2: Solving Problems with ICT
(30%)
This controlled assessment consists of a
portfolio of work which shows candidates'
attainment in obtaining and interpreting
different types of information; using,
developing and communicating information
to meet the purpose of their studies and
presenting the results of their work. This
assignment will assess the practical aspects
of the functional elements of ICT.
Unit 3: ICT in Organisations (20%)
Unit 4: Developing Multimedia ICT
Solutions (30%)
This examination paper will assess the
'application' content of ICT in a business and
industry context.
This controlled assessment will give
candidates the opportunity to develop a
piece of work
using multimedia software following a single
task brief issued by WJEC.
Where next?
This GCSE option is offered to cater for students who wish to follow a more traditional,
academic route in the subject. This is the preferred option for students wishing to take AS
ICT in Year 12.
Technical ICT
This option follows the Technical Strand of Cambridge Nationals, providing additional units
which ‘bolt on’ to their core ICT units and enable students to achieve an additional GCSEequivalent qualification. The course is 100% coursework, but is dependent upon students
passing the compulsory units R001 and R002, discussed in the Core ICT section.
The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)
Cambridge Nationals
qualification
Level 2 Distinction *
Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit
Level 2 Pass
Level 1 Distinction
Level 1 Merit
Level 1 Pass
GCSE
equivalent
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F/G
Units covered:
Year 10
Unit R004: Handling Data Using
Databases
Unit R008: Introduction to Computer
Programming
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to modify an existing database and
produce a relational database. They will also
be able to create queries to interrogate a
database and find specific records and
produce reports based on the results of
these queries and create a user interface for
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to appreciate the range of programming
and scripting languages that are used and
their applications and will be able to develop,
test and evaluate working programs in one
language of their choice. Learners will have
acquired the skills necessary to help develop
the database.
This unit will be delivered through the
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system
and will therefore carry with it an additional,
industry-related qualification.
their programming further into interactive
websites, mobile phone and tablet apps and
a range of computer applications and they
will communicate technical concepts
effectively using terminology appropriately.
Year 11
Unit R009: Exploring Computer
Hardware and Networks
On completion of this unit learners will have
acquired skills and knowledge that would be
beneficial to working with IT systems within
different employment sectors or within the
home environment and they will
communicate technical concepts effectively
using terminology appropriately.
Unit R010: Developing Control Systems
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to explore the different components
which can be used to build control systems
and the rules which are written to ensure
they work properly, and be able to
communicate technical concepts effectively
using terminology appropriately. Learners
will build working control systems using
either real components or simulation
software to show they understand the
concepts.
The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)
Cambridge Nationals
qualification
Level 2 Distinction *
Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit
Level 2 Pass
Level 1 Distinction
Level 1 Merit
Level 1 Pass
GCSE
equivalent
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F/G
Where next?
The Head of ICT and Senior Leadership Team are in discussion about alternative Level 3
qualifications that can be offered in the 6th form, however the A-Level IT course will accept
any students who have taken Technical ICT as an option.
Creative ICT
This option follows the Creative Strand of Cambridge Nationals, providing additional units
which ‘bolt on’ to their core ICT units and enable students to achieve an additional GCSE-
equivalent qualification. The course is 100% coursework, but is dependent upon students
passing the compulsory units R001 and R002, discussed in the Core ICT section.
The qualification will be graded as follows (equivalent GSCE grades included for reference)
Cambridge Nationals
qualification
Level 2 Distinction *
Level 2 Distinction
Level 2 Merit
Level 2 Pass
Level 1 Distinction
Level 1 Merit
Level 1 Pass
GCSE
equivalent
A*
A
B
C
D
E
F/G
Units covered:
Year 10
Unit R004: Handling Data Using
Databases
Unit R005: Creating an Interactive
Product Using Multimedia Components
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to modify an existing database and
produce a relational database. They will also
be able to create queries to interrogate a
database and find specific records and
produce reports based on the results of
these queries and create a user interface for
the database.
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to show how the interactive product
meets both the user needs and extends their
capability within the use of applications
software such as website development.
This unit will be delivered through the
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) system and
will therefore carry with it an additional,
industry-related qualification.
Year 11
Unit R006: Creating Digital Images
On completion of this unit learners will be
able to create a digital image that
communicates the intended message
effectively, meeting the client’s needs, and
they will have extended their capability
within the use of digital editing software
packages.
Unit R007: Creating Dynamic Products
Using Sound and Vision
Movies, animations and sounds bring
messages and communications to life. The
ability to create, edit and enhance these
types of media is an essential business and
personal skill that can be used for many
purposes. On completion of this unit learners
will be able to prepare, create, export and
evaluate a timeline-based dynamic product.
Where next?
The Head of ICT and Senior Leadership Team are in discussion about alternative Level 3
qualifications that can be offered in the 6th form, however the A-Level IT course will accept
any students who have taken Technical ICT as an option.