What will happen at my first lesson?
The first week of your course will include Study Skills. Good Study Skills are vital to ensure you gain the best from your course. The Study Skills session will give you the opportunity to discover the best way that you can learn and fully understand the requirements of the course.

Qualification Aim/Level
This is course for anyone who needs to achieve a GCSE grade 9-1 Please note that in order to enrol onto a GCSE course it is a requirement that you attend a GCSE Assessment. It is recommended that you undertake only one GCSE per year. You will be able to discuss this at your assessment. This GCSE qualification will develop your understanding of computer science methods in the real world - you will decompose and model aspects of real-world situations, which will develop your ability to design, build and test a fully-programmed solution to a problem. AQA GCSE Computer Science

Examinations Venue Disclaimer
Please note, you may be required to travel to an alternative ACL Centre when taking your examination or assessment. This will be communicated to you at the earliest opportunity.

Who is this course for?
For any one who, having completed the assessment successfully, wants to gain a GCSE in Computer Science.

What can I expect to learn?
This course will follow the AQA syllabus for GCSE Computer Science. The skills and knowledge developed through this qualification will support you to: understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science. You will analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience.

How will I learn?
Your tutor will use a number of different teaching methods to develop your skills. These will include a wide range of authentic materials, individual study, working in pairs/group activities and will include the use of video/audio. You will also have the opportunity to use online learning technologies to develop your skills. If you are enrolling onto a blended course then your class sessions will be a mix of live scheduled sessions in a virtual classroom delivered on an online platform, with some in centre sessions for project work in one of our IT Suites. The venue and dates of the practical sessions will be confirmed at the beginning of your course.

How will I know how well I am doing?
You will receive regular feedback from your tutor through practice questions and feedback from any work completed. You will also complete a personal progress record each week to help your tutor with future planning of lessons.

Will I need to do extra work at Home?
A requirement of your course is to complete a substantial amount of additional learning outside of your lesson. This will be directed by your tutor but you will also be expected to revise and practice what you have learnt in class.

What will I need to provide?
You may like to bring a notepad, pen and folder for making and storing notes.

Are there any other costs?
No

What can I do next?
You can progress on to further studies including Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Other related accredited and non accredited courses. The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. The service offers confidential and impartial advice and is supported by qualified careers advisers. To make an appointment please call 0800 100 900 (calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers) or visit their website https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

Further Information
For all enquiries regarding this course please contact 0345 603 7635.