Functional Skills - Levels 1 and 2Head of Department: Jo Britton

Email: jo.britton@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• Assessed by an exam in Reading and an exam in Writing• Speaking and Listening is internally assessed• The syllabus gives opportunity for progression to study GCSE English and is recognised by employers• Compulsory for those who achieved a level 3 or below in GCSE English Language at school

Course SummaryThis course is for students who have a level 2 or 3 (or below) in the new grading system at GCSE English. You will take a diagnostic assessment at the beginning of the course, to see whether you would be more suited to Functional Skills Level 1 or 2. You can progress from Functional Skills Level 1 to Functional Skills Level 2 and then onto GCSE. Each of these courses is usually 1 year long. Each course will assess reading, writing and speaking and listening. The speaking and listening element is assessed within college and the reading and writing are both examined.

Method of assessment: 66.6% examined and 33.3% internally assessed.

Functional Skills Level 2 will also involve a preparatory unit your for progression onto GCSE English Language. The aim is develop your skills in critically reading and responding to a wide range of texts from across the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty first centuries through an exciting range of topics, such as crime and punishment, adventure and mystery.

Progression skills and opportunitiesThe syllabus gives opportunity for progression to study GCSE English and is recognised by employers.

Art, Craft and Design - A LevelHead of Department: James Fraser-Murison

Email: james.fraser-murison@qmc.ac.uk

Fact File• For students planning a career in Art and Design, the A Level course will have the necessary breadth of work for entry onto a Degree or Foundation degree in Art and Design.• Some students study a one year full-time Art and Design Foundation course before progressing to degree level. A few students go directly into work related areas. Typical career options include fine art, illustration, textile design, interiors, fashion design, fashion promotion and three-dimensional design, including jewellery, costume and theatre.• Combines well with many other subjects at A level including other Art, Design or Media A levels.

Course SummaryArt, Craft & Design is a multi-disciplinary course which involves working with a wide variety of techniques and processes. In the first year, the course expands and develops students’ practical skills, knowledge and understanding of materials. Students will learn a wide variety of drawing, printmaking, craft and textile techniques and will create exciting contemporary artwork in two and three dimensions. This is deal if you want to explore processes and techniques from across the department.

During the second year the course seeks to build on the knowledge gained during the first year and develop the ability to work independently through sustained investigations, development of ideas and in depth analysis. Students will work on a variety of briefs but they will be more personally directed and in depth. The conclusion of the 2 year A level course will be for students to present two components of work in the form of a portfolio with an externally set assignment.

Specific entry requirementsIt is recommended that you have a grade 5 or above in an Art or relevant Technology subject. If this is not applicable, you should bring a small portfolio of work to your enrolment interview.

Being open to experimentation and to trying new things, as well as having a creative outlook and a willingness to work hard, is highly valued.