Management Information Sheet

Implications: OCR Nationals Specifications changes from September 2010.

There are a number of changes impacting on the delivery of ICT at KS4. We have compiled the following advice to support our ICT Departments presently delivering OCR Nationals.

Changes and Issues affecting ICT at KS4:

	There is a statutory requirement to deliver the ICT KS4 programmes of study to all pupils.
	New GCSEs delivered from Sept 2010.
	OCR Nationals have been revised (timetable implications - see below).
	A range of vocational qualifications are available (EdExcel-DIDA, OCR Nationals, OCR iMedia, Digital Creator).
	Functional Skills is a constituent part of all levels of the Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning programmes and therefore requires a growing number of students to achieve Level 1 or 2.
	Functional Skills to be delivered from September 2010.
	Functional Skills embedded in KS3 Curriculum.
	New KS4 Curriculum from 2011 (possible to start year 10 from 2010).
	Personalised Learning agenda - offering the right curriculum choices for your students.

Implications of OCR Nationals changes

	Students' registered before July 2010 remain on the present specification.
	The certification deadline for the present specification is July 2012. i.e. 2010/11 Year 9 students cannot complete the course over 3 years.
	Each Level on the new specification will require approximately the same number of units as was previously required for the Level below. e.g. the revised 1 GCSE equivalent = the present 2 GCSE equivalent. This is to maintain the equivalency with ICT GCSEs and will clearly impact on the time required to delivery the course.
	Registering students starting the course in the next academic year before the July deadline will allow you and your staff time to make adjustments to your timetable and predicted outcomes for students starting KS4 in 2011.
	CPD will be needed to ensure staff readiness to deliver the revised specification.
	Any new students who join the school will be following the revised OCR course and may require additional support.
	Schools completing the course on a reduced timetable will find the changes difficult to accommodate. If you are in this position and have traditionally offered the 1st Award, you may consider Functional Skills a better option than the short course.

Summary

1.	KS4 ICT National Curriculum PoS has to be received by all pupils aged 14-16.
2.	All pupils should be offered an ICT qualification at KS4.
3.	Fully map Level 1 Functional Skills within your KS3 PoS to ensure readiness at KS4.
4.	Functional Skills is available for all students from September 2010 and is a requirement for Diploma and Foundation courses. Assessment is exam based.
5.	A GCSE in ICT or an equivalent qualification requires 10% of curriculum time throughout KS4.
6.	OCR new specifications are now available and a variety of resources are on Fronter.
7.	Consider which of the existing OCR groups can be registered before the July deadline to continue with the present specification given the 2012 deadline for certification.
8.	Adapting to the changes in a range of KS4 qualifications requires careful planning and appropriate resources.
9.	Controlled conditions for a variety of GCSEs will need to be planned for. There are significant challenges in allowing pupils to have access to a computer for all controlled assessments in the subjects they study for GCSE. Advice and guidance summary.

Further advice and information will be issued through our termly Subject Leader Networks.