English – Functional Skills
This two year course delivered by the Learning Support Team offers learners with a special educational need relating to literacy the opportunity to improve and develop their skills in this area.
During Functional Skills lessons learners will study Functional English at Level 1 and/or Level 2 which gives them the practical literacy skills for the modern world.
It specifically aims to ensure learners have good communication skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening which are linked to every-day situations.
This course provides the foundation to support learners in accessing the GCSE English syllabus and to be able to progress and succeed in their other subjects where all these skills are required.
Modern Foreign Languages – GCSE
Having a language at GCSE can be beneficial as many jobs require languages skills. At the JCB Academy we are fortunate to be able to offer you three languages to choose from: French, German and Spanish.
Learning another language helps you to develop skills such as communication, presentation, problem solving, organisation and independence.
It also can improve your English as it heightens your awareness of structure and grammar.
Each language is equally important and have its own merits:
- French is the second most widely learned language after English and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world.
- German is the second most spoken language in Europe. ‘The Guardian’ promotes Germany as “the biggest exporting nation in Europe and that there are many career opportunities”.
- Spanish is the world’s second language and an official language in 22 countries. Spanish is spoken by 500 million people with a growing trend which will reach 600 million by 2050.
MFL GCSE Specification:
- Topics: Identity and Culture; Local Area, Holiday and Travel; School; Future Aspiration, Study and Work; International and Global Dimension
- Exam based: 25% Listening, 25% Reading, 25% Speaking, 25% Writing
ICT – Creative iMedia
The Level 2 OCR Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia is designed primarily for learners who wish to explore a vocational route in Key Stage 4. The course is suited to learners who are creatively driven and enjoy topics such as creating digital graphics and animation.
The course will:
- inspire and enthuse learners to become technology savvy – producers of technology products and systems and not just consumers;
- give learners the opportunity to gain a broad understanding and knowledge of the information technology sector and some aspects of the creative industries, e.g. electronic publishing or multimedia production;
- explore the fundamentals of technology and gain the practical skills, knowledge and understanding to design, make and review;
- encourage personal development, motivation and confidence, through practical participation and by giving learners responsibility for their own projects;
- encourage learners to develop their people, communication, planning and team-working skills.
The units to be covered are valued as 25% each of the final grade:
Coursework units:
- R082 Creating Digital Graphics (25%)
- R086 Creating a Digital Animation (25%)
- R085 Creating a Multipage Website (25%)
Examined units:
- R081 Pre Production Skills (25%) – exam 1.5 hours
Practical Skills
Throughout their two years of engineering study, learners will develop a range of engineering skills through a series of practical projects which are important in developing their understanding of engineering principles and are also advantageous for employment.
Successful completion of these projects to the required standard will lead to the learner gaining a practical skills certificate by the end of their engineering studies.
The projects will be assessed over the course of the two years and alongside the practical tasks will focus on:
- improving learners’ understanding of engineering drawings;
- health and safety knowledge in the workshop environment;
- planning skills;
- quality control;
- evaluation skills.
Design & Technology – GCSE
Are you interested in the world of design? Do you like drawing and coming up with ideas and solutions to everyday problems? Then product design might be for you.
In GCSE Product Design learners will work all of the way through a problem, looking at what already exists, resolving issues, coming up with ideas and producing a final product.
You will find out about some of the issues that real life designers face. Understanding how they solve problems and deliver you the best products is key to your success in this subject. We will research important stages of our design history, making links with products which are currently being produced. This will help you to see how the products that you use are influenced by history.
The knowledge and understanding of materials and processes that you build over this course will not only enable you to access the final exam, but will be a valuable tool to apply to your portfolio of coursework.
Assessment:
- 50% coursework (NEA). A portfolio of work demonstrating a journey through the design process, including a design and make activity to be guided by the exam board.
- 50% exam. A skills and knowledge based examination which will test your understanding of core knowledge technical principles as well as designing and making understanding.
Sport – BTEC
If you enjoy sport and are interested in furthering your knowledge and understanding, improving your fitness and developing your leadership skills, then BTEC Sport is the course for you.
Coursework Units:
- Fitness for Sport and Exercise
- Practical Sport Performance
- Applying the Principles of Personal Training
- Leading Sports Activities
Assessment:
Assessment and content of the course will be structured in a practical approach as much as possible and although there is no external final exam at the end of the course covering all units, there is an externally assessed ‘controlled assessment’ linked to the Fitness for Sport and Exercise unit. This will take the form of an online exam. The other three units will be assessed internally, through assignments and practical assessments completed at regular intervals throughout the course.
Grades:
This is a level 2 qualification, graded at pass, merit, distinction and distinction*. However, the exam board have included the opportunity for learners to gain a level 1 qualification.
