Why Occupational

Studies?

abcdBeacon AwardBeacon Award

WinnersWinners

1999-20001999-2000

2000-20012000-2001 abcde

Occupational Studies

What is it?• A new and very different type of qualification for Year 11 and 12

• Rooted in practical and occupational contexts for Key Stage 4

• Designed to relate to the National Occupational Standards

• Raise levels of achievement, motivation, self esteem

• Add variety to the way students are assessed at Key Stage 4

• To forge and / or enhance links between Schools and Colleges / and employers, where necessary and appropriate.

• Currently 14 different occupational areas within Occupational Studies.

Levels of AwardFirst Skills (Level 1, Level 2, and

Level 3)NQF - Level 1 and Level 2

Double Award (20% curriculum time)Single Award (10% curriculum time)

• 75 Guided Learning Hours recommended per unit.

Overall Assessment Weighting

Assessment Objective

% Weighting in all units

A01 20%

A02 60%

A03 20%

Assessment Objectives

• Recall knowledge and understanding of the specified context; (AO1 20 %)

• Apply their knowledge; (AO2 60%)

• Analyse and evaluate their work and make judgements about their performance, indicating where improvements could be made

(AO3 20%)

Preparing marks• Mark sheets (TAC 1) will be issued to teaching

centres by CCEA prior to moderation taking place.

• All TAC 1 sheets should be completed by assessor prior to moderation. Whole numbers should only be entered onto TAC 1 sheet.– Do not record as percentages;– Do not record as levels.

• Clear evidence should be available for moderation to indicate how the assessor arrived at a particular mark.

Grading: Single Award2 units

• Learners’ performance in a unit will be reported as a mark. The maximum mark available in all units is 25.

Band A: 18-25 marks per unit Band B: 10-17 marks per unit Band C: 1- 9 marks per unit.

Occupational Studies

Attaining a Level 2 Standard in the Award• Single Award Marks … 36 over 2 units• Double Award Marks .. 72 over 4 unitsAttaining a Level 1 Standard in the Award• Single Award Marks … 20 over 2 units• Double Award Marks … 40 over 2 units

AssessmentAssessment

• Internal assessment by Tutor.

• Direct observation of pupil performance.

• Simulated activities, if appropriate.

• ‘My Record’ (a training diary completed by learner and tutor)

Model A: 4 Diverse Units

4 diverse units from any occupational area;

Year 11 Interior Design Internet Authoring

Year 12: Plumbing Food and Drink

Model B: TWOTWO Units from TWO occupational areas

Year 11

Unit 1 Kitchen and larder Unit 2 Pastry

Year 12

Unit 23 Painting and Decorating

Unit 24 Performing arts

Model C: FOUR Units from ONE occupational area

Occupational area: Construction -

Brickwork 1

Plastering

Carpentry and Joinery

Tiling

Occupational Studies

• The first learners in Occupational Studies were moderated in the summer of 2004 with the total number of units moderated being less than 2000.

• The numbers of units moderated has grown rapidly to a figure in the summer of 2007 which almost reaches 15000.

• Construction has consistently proved to be the most popular.

• An impressive number of these learners have now progressed successfully to apprenticeships in various occupational areas, some completing level 3 qualifications. A few have even progressed to level 4 having left school with Occupational Studies as their only qualification achieved at Key Stage 4.

• The following table shows the number of units moderated in each subject in 2006 and 2007

Occupational Area

Number of units moderated

2005/6

Number of units moderated

2006/7

Hospitality and Catering 725 1160

Construction 3087 4814

Design 219 421

Engineering 864 1332

Hairdressing and Beauty 1654 2335

Media 209 321

Vehicle Studies 814 1184

Retail 210 584

Sport, Leisure and Travel 473 210

Digital Technology 580 677

Office Administration 547 1044

Care 265 483

Horticulture 58 149

Total Enrolments 9705 14714