ICT & Business Studies Faculty

ICT

As a Specialist in ICT and Mathematics school, we aim to promote ICT both as a means to ensure a better understanding of ICT in the wider world and to inspire students to use or be involved with ICT in the future. The ICT department spreads across the school site including 10 computer suites and over 250 computers.

ICT Key Stage 3:

The department has an established Key Stage 3 program including units from the KS3 stragegy and adapted units that will provide pupils with wider professional skills

ICT Key Stage 4:

There is a wide variety of KS4 pathways for pupils to choose from that will allow pupils skills to be matched to appropriate courses. Courses include GCSE, where Rossett follows the AQA award for ICT. Students who wish to specialise in ICT may prefer to follow the OCR Nationals course which leads to the equivalent of four GCSEs.

ICT After School Club

Rossett school is proud to offer the availability of extra time after school for pupils to seek help and guidance on homework, GCSE coursework or simply improving their ICT skills. Most computer rooms are available every Wednesday between 3.20 -4.20pm with ICT teachers who are ready to help.

Business Studies Key Stage 4

The AQA GCSE Business Studies courses provide students with the opportunity to specialise in business and understand the use of ICT. About 40% of students opt for the GCSE course in both years 10 and 11.

Pupils are set into appropriate classes according to their ability based on information gathered from their Year 9 teachers and the tracking details available from Key Stage 3. Where discrepancies occur students will be moved after the results of the first or second units of work. Within the classes working groups are generally mixed by gender, if appropriate. In all aspects of their learning and use of resources both girls and boys are treated on equal terms.

Homework is given on a regular basis throughout each of the courses. It takes a variety of forms e.g. note taking, collecting data, set tasks, research assignments. When students are completing their coursework assignments they will be expected to spend at least 1-2 hours per week researching and presenting the topic. The teacher will monitor the progress of the assignment at regular intervals.

All coursework is marked and assessed according to the criteria laid down by the examining boards. Classwork and homework exercises are marked according to the School policy with a 4-0 range for effort and a A-E range for attainment – a copy of the policy is made available to all students and should be attached into their exercise book for reference.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar are assessed and corrected in line with Faculty policy. The courses in Year 10 and 11 involve both a coursework element and classwork/homework and are marked accordingly. Teacher’s record and monitor classwork/homework marks on a regular basis. Reports for each student are written at the appropriate time for each year group and follow the school policy and format.

The Scheme of Assessment for the GCSE Business Studies (AQA) syllabus covers coursework (25%) and examination (75%) work. The topic areas are

• People in Business
• Marketing
• Production
• Finance
• Business Structure and Organisation
• Business Aims and Objectives
• External Factors Affecting Business
• Enterprise
  

Post 16 Business Studies

The AQA AS/A2 Level Modular course in Business Studies is delivered to Years 12 and 13. Students gain an understanding of the business world focusing on relevant theories and concepts. The use of case studies, stimulus materials, textbooks, and notes forms the basis of delivery. Years 12, 13.

Based on the option choice these groups are likely to be one self-selected group. Homework will be given and marked regularly throughout. Students will be expected to complete a range of activities including case study questions, essays, research tasks and specific assignments.

AS/A2 Level Business Studies assessment is based on regular homework and tests. Each module completed is externally examined leading to a final aggregation of marks for the awarding of the final grade. Content details are available in the appropriate syllabus. At AS/A2 level students’ are encouraged to study outside class time and to utilise a wide range of business resources including INTERNET access. A great deal of time is spent helping students prepare for module examinations.

The research assignment is particularly important, as students need to prepare and report on a local business problem-solving activity.