At Saint Felix students who choose the ICT AS/A2 course follow the AQA syllabus - GCE Information and Communication Technology (2520) 

This course in not a computing course and it is expected that students will have completed either a GCSE full or short course.  However students who have not completed a GCSE in this subject area may still be suitable to follow the course.  Please speak to the Head of ICT for more information.

AS Outline

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Practical Problem Solving in the Digital WorldTopic listPractical use of ICT, identifying, designing, producing, testing, documenting and evaluating solutions.
Data entry, storage, output of information, use of software, current health and safety legislation.
AssessmentWritten Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total AS marks
25% of total A Level marks

Question paper/answer booklet examination. Externally marked by AQA.

Section A: short answer questions; Section B: 3 or more structured questions requiring discursive answers. All questions are compulsory.

Unit 2: Living in the Digital WorldTopic listICT systems, their components, uses, users, safety and security
Data and information, data transfer, backup and recovery.
AssessmentWritten Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weighting: 50% of total AS 
25% of total A Level marks

Question paper/answer booklet examination.
Externally marked by AQA.

Section A: short answer questions; Section B: 3 or more structured questions requiring discursive answers. All questions are compulsory.

A2 outline

At A2, students will study the concepts associated with the use of ICT in the 21st century. They will also have opportunities for acquiring skills needed in the IT profession such as co-operative working and project management. These practical skills can be developed in areas of ICT that are of interest to them. Students can also use these newly acquired skills as a springboard into other qualifications and working environments.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital WorldTopic listDevelopments in technology, information needs of organisations, ICT systems, management of ICT
Developing ICT systems, introducing large ICT systems into organisations
Training and supporting users of ICT systems.
AssessmentWritten Paper: 2 hours
Weighting: 60% of total A2 marks
30% of total A Level marks

Candidates will be provided with pre-release material which will be available on the AQA Website on 1 November for the January examination, and 1 April for the June examination. The pre-release will be re-issued for use in the examination.
Question paper/answer booklet examination. Externally marked by AQA.
Section A: structured questions based on pre-release material;
Section B: questions requiring extended prose answers. All questions are compulsory.

Unit 4: Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital WorldTopic listPractical issues involved in managing the use of ICT in organisations
Investigating, analysing, defining requirements
Selecting and using appropriate technologies, designing solutions, methods for testing and installation, documenting and evaluating.
CourseworkWeighting: 40% of total A2 marks
20% of total A Level marks

Candidates must produce a report based upon their practical work/investigation. The report will be internally marked and externally moderated.