An Outstanding Maths and ICT Specialist School

Inside this handbook you will find key information that will help you throughout your studies on your new BTEC course. This includes information on how to study independently and avoid allegations of malpractice by referencing your work. You can also read details of our appeals procedure, which details what to do if you are not happy with the way a piece of work has been assessed. Please make sure that you ask your teacher sooner rather than later if you have any questions about the BTEC work you are studying, or how it will be assessed. R Woodland Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum

Key Information

Programme Title: Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science Edexcel BTEC level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science Staff: Mrs McCarthy Key Textbook: Edexcel BTEC level 3 National (Pearson) Useful Websites: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nationals10/appsci/Pages/ default.aspx Course Outline: Students will follow one of two pathways offered depending on GCSE outcomes

Unit Number

Unit Title Aims of Unit

1 Fundamentals of Science

Introduces you to some of the different jobs a scientist does, to use the necessary skills to measure quantities for chemical reactions, investigate energy changes and identify components of a cell

2 Working in the science industry

Know how procedures are followed and communicated in the scientific workplace.

4 Scientific Practical techniques

To use analytical techniques, separate and analyse substances to assess their purity and use instruments and sensors

Course Outline - Subsidiary Diploma 5 Perceptions of Science

Know how scientific ideas develop, understand public perception of science and identify ethical and moral issues associated with scientific advances.

11 Physiology of human body systems

Know the levels of organisation in the human body and be able to relate structure and function to body systems

19 Practical Chemical Analysis

To apply the principles behind a range of analytical techniques used in industrial and commercial laboratories

Course Outline - Certificate

Please note that for the subsidiary diploma to be awarded, certificate units must also be completed.

Read around your subject to improve your general knowledge and understanding. Use magazines, newspapers and the internet to stay up to date with what is happening in the world.

If you have family members or friends who work in an industry related to your subject talk to them about what they do.

Make the most of extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities at school to support your learning. This is particularly true for BTEC Sport and Music.

Make sure you keep your work organised whether you are working on paper or electronically. Use carefully labelled folders and filenames to organise your work.

Know the deadlines for each assignment (both the first and final submission dates). Write them in your planner and also add a reminder a few days before. If you have a smartphone use the calendar or reminders app to help you with this.

Ensure that you read each assignment briefing sheet carefully and understand what you need to do to achieve Pass, Merit or Distinction. If you are unclear about what is required ask your teacher sooner rather than later.

Unit Number Unit Title Aims of Unit

3 Scientific Investigation

To plan and carry out an investigation and reporting your findings in detail

6 Using mathematical tools for science

Use mathematical tools in science, collect and record data and display and interpret data

9 Informatics for Science

To develop a knowledge and understanding of informatics in science and to develop skills in data storage and analysis

17 Electrical Circuits and their applications

To develop an understanding of the principles which underpin the aspects of electricity by means of a theoretical and practical approach

18 Practical Chemical Analysis

To apply the principles behind a range of analytical techniques used in industrial and commercial laboratories

20 DNA Genetics To develop understanding of principles of Mendelian Genetics and develop knowledge and techniques used in commercial analytical and research laboratories

22 Chemical Laboratory techniques

To prepare substances, measure yield and purity, carry out qualitative and quantitative analysis of unknown compounds

How to Succeed in Your BTEC

Course Outline - Diploma in Applied Science

Please note for the Diploma to be awarded, certificate and subsidiary diploma units must also be completed.

Coombe Dean BTEC Appeals Procedure

The introduction and implementation of the BTEC qualification, together with the requirements of the Citizen’s Charter, have resulted in the acknowledgement that it is the right of the individual to seek a review of the decisions made. Should a student consider that a piece of coursework or final assessment has been unfairly graded the following steps should be taken: 1. The student should approach the member of staff for clarification. This should

take place within one week of the piece of work being returned to the student. 2. Should the outcome of the meeting prove unsatisfactory the student should put his/her concern in writing to the Course Coordinator (Miss Jones) Initial assistance with this appeal should be sought from the Course Coordinator. Written notification of appeal should be given to the Course Coordinator within two weeks of the assessment being returned. 3. The Course Coordinator will present the appeal to an Appeals Panel which will

consist of Mr Woodland (Senior Management), Mrs Cox (Senior Management) and the Course Coordinator. The decision of the Appeals Panel will be final and that decision will be fed back to the student in writing by the fourth week of the Appeals Procedure. A record of proceedings of each stage will be kept by the Course Coordinator and made available to any interested party. The time schedule is dictated by the return of the student’s work. Authorised student absences may be taken into account by the Appeals Panel.

Independent Study – avoiding plagiarism and other forms of malpractice An important part of studying for a BTEC qualification is independent study. Throughout your course you are likely to use information gathered from textbooks and the internet to help you complete assignments. It is very important that you acknowledge where you have done so using the referencing methods taught to you. At Coombe Dean School we take ‘plagiarism’ very seriously, and if it is proven we will inform Pearson Edexcel who will impose the relevant sanction on you. Please ensure you understand what we term malpractice as defined by our ‘Assessment Malpractice Policy’: Collusion by working collaboratively with other learners. Copying (including the use of ICT to aid copying). Deliberate destruction of another’s work. Fabrication of results or evidence. False declaration of authenticity. Impersonation by pretending to be someone else in order to produce the work.

BTEC (QCF): Teaching and Assessment

Stage 1 – Teaching and learning

During your lessons your teacher will explain to you the learning objectives you will be covering and the assessment criteria you will need to achieve in order to gain a Pass, Merit or Distinction. There will be opportunities for you to practise the skills on which you will be assessed and for you to receive feedback from your teacher on how to improve. Missing lessons will affect your ability to perform in the assessment.

Stage 2 – Assessment

You will be issued with an Assignment Brief which will detail the tasks you need to complete and how your work will be assessed against the Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria. You must ensure that you complete the assignment to the best of your ability, submit it before the deadline and that you have signed the Learner Declaration. Make sure that you reference correctly to avoid plagiarism. In exceptional circumstances you may be given an extension to the deadline.

Stage 3 – Feedback

Your teacher will mark your work, indicating what level you have achieved (Pass, Merit or Distinction) on each criterion. You should consider carefully the outcome achieved and focus on any areas where improvement can be secured during the next phase of teaching and learning in preparation for the next assignment.

Stage 4 – Resubmission

Your teacher may give you an opportunity to resubmit your work to gain a higher grade, but only if: You met the deadline.

Your teacher thinks you can improve your work without further guidance.

Your teacher is satisfied that the work submitted was authentically your own You will have to resubmit your work within 10 school days of the date you received your feedback.

Stage 5 – Retake

If you resubmit your work AND you still do not achieve a Pass your teacher may allow you to retake the assessment. You will be issued with a NEW assignment brief and deadline. You will only be able to achieve a Pass.

If you need to resubmit work you will have a meeting with your tutor and where appropriate, your parents.

If you need to retake an assignment, this opportunity will be decided by the course leader and Mr Koehler-Lewis and discussed with you and your parents in detail.

Your progress during stages 1, 2 and 3 will be monitored by your teacher and your tutor. The levels you achieve in your assessments will be used by teachers when they report your progress home. If you miss a deadline, you will be allocated a study programme to ensure this doesn't happen again. Where meeting deadlines is an issue, your place on the course will be at risk.