Gowerton School

82% of all jobs in the UK list digital skills as a requirement. They also pay 29% more, on average, than those that don’t require these skills (£37,000 vs £28,000 a year). Despite this, employers struggled to fill one-third of vacancies last year due to lack of digital competency, highlighting a significant discrepancy between skill supply and demand in the UK. Digital skills are no longer limited to tech and online roles, but are nearly-universal requirements across all sectors and skill levels today. This GCSE introduces learners to a broad working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, automated documents and images and enables learners to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems. You will also investigate how IT is used in a range of contexts, including business and organisations, education and the home.

Unit 1: ICT in Society (On-screen exam – Year 11)

• 40% of GCSE
• 48 Hours of Guided learning Hours

Jobs in ICT exist in a variety of contexts.  However, there are key areas of knowledge that any ICT specialist will be required to know. This base knowledge allows them to provide the best service and advice possible for their clients and the industries they are working in.

This unit allows learners to explore the wide range of uses of hardware, application and specialist software in society. They will investigate how information technology is used in a range of contexts, including business and organisations, education and home use.

Topics include:

• How IT can be used to fulfil the needs of organisations and individuals
• How data and information is used and transferred
• Legal, moral, ethical, cultural and environmental impacts of IT and the need for cybersecurity

Unit 2: ICT in Context (Coursework – Year 10)

• 60% of GCSE
• You will know your grade before sitting the exam
• 72 Hours of Guided learning Hours

ICT usage is becoming increasingly widespread in day-to-day life, as people become progressively dependent on their digital devices. In 2018, Ofcom6 reported that 78% of UK adults owned a smartphone and 64% of adults described the internet as ‘an essential part of their life’. In the workplace, ICT is also vital for the smooth running of many everyday tasks as well as enabling organisations to operate in a more efficient manner. There are a number of key skills that employers look for which centre around having an understanding of, and the practical ability to use, a range of computer programmes, software and other applications. This unit enables learners to gain a broad working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, automated documents and images and to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems in vocational settings.