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Over the past years, BTECs have helped hundreds of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni pupils to develop the skills they need to get on in life. Engaging and inspiring, these work-related qualifications are suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.

BTECs give students the skills they need to either move on to higher education or go straight into employment.

Why is BTEC important?

BTECs are understood and recognised by a large number of organisations in a wide range of sectors.
They offer natural progression along a vocational path, from and to academic qualifications and university.

BTEC qualifications are developed with key industry representatives and sector skills councils to ensure that they meet employer and student needs.

Courses are offered at two levels: level 2 (Vocational Transition Pathway) and level 3 (Subsidiary Diploma).

 

Vocational Transition Pathway

The Year 12 Transition Pathway is a package of courses that are available to our Year 12 students. The aim is to enable well motivated and ambitious students to continue their studies through the medium of Welsh.

The Year 12 Transition Pathway is suitable for those students who would wish to follow Level 3 courses but, unfortunately, have not yet achieved a suitable level of achievement to enable them to study Level 3 courses in year 12.

It is expected that those students who choose to follow the Year 12 Transition Pathway will wish to continue their studies at Cwm Rhymni at the end of year 12 by starting Level 3 courses in the following September.

Vocational Studies will be at the core of the course with developing further understanding of a variety of fields of business being central to the curriculum.

Everybody will study;

  • Business
    Level 1/2 Award in Retail Business
    Level 1/2 Award in Tourism
    Level 1/2 Award in Event Operations
  • Welsh
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • The Welsh Baccalaureate

These courses are designed to enable the students to develop understanding and some knowledge of particular vocational pathways. By continuing to study the key core subjects (Welsh/English/Mathematics) we aim to enable pupils to re-sit GCSE examinations to improve their GCSE grades if required or to continue to improve their literacy and numeracy skills if they have achieved GCSE grades A*-C.

Vocational courses are graded in a different manner in which GCSE courses are graded; however they are equivalent to a GCSE.

In general, students who follow the Transition Pathway curriculum in Year 12 will follow BTEC Level 3 courses in years 13 and 14 on the understanding that they have achieved at least a Merit in the relevant Vocational course in Year 12.

 

CACHE Children's Care, Learning & Development Level 2/3

This is a work based qualification. Candidates will spend four days a week in a work placement where they will have the opportunity to work under the guidance of a mentor. Candidates will then spend one day a week in their comprehensive schools under the instruction of a tutor in order to build a portfolio of evidence.

Level 2 (The course is expected to be completed over one year)

  • Introduction to Communication
  • Introduction to personal development
  • Introduction to equality and inclusion
  • Child and Young person development
  • Contribute to the development of children and young people
  • Safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people
  • Contribute to the support of positive environments for children and young people
  • Understand the work of partnerships
  • Support Child development through play

Level 3 (The course is expected to be completed over one year)

  • Promote communication
  • Engage in personal development
  • Promote equality and inclusion
  • Principles for implementing duty of care
  • Understand child and young person development
  • Promote child and young person development
  • Understand how to safeguard the wellbeing of children
  • Support children and young people’s health and safety
  • Develop positive relationships
  • Working together for the benefit of children
  • Understand how to support positive outcomes
  • Context and principles for early years provision
  • Promote children’s welfare and wellbeing
  • Professional practice in early years
  • Support speech, language and communication

The main principle of the course is to assess performance in the work place as opposed to completing written assignments. Therefore the emphasis is placed on assessing skills achieved in their role of teaching assistant. However candidates are still required to complete a portfolio of evidence.

 

Level 3 BTEC (Subsidiary Diploma)

A 1 or 2 year course that equates to 1 AS/A2 level taken on by students entering the sixth form.

 

Applied Science

The Edexcel specification is followed on this course. The Certificate takes one year to complete and is equivalent to one AS level. The Subsidiary Diploma follows in the second year and is equivalent to an A level. The contents of the course are distributed thus;

BTEC Level 3 Certificate

3 mandatory units are completed to gain 30 credits at level 3. These units are;

  • Fundamentals of Science
  • Working in the Science Industry
  • Scientific Practical Techniques

Subsidiary Diploma

3 optional units are completed to gain 30 credits at level 3. The units chosen are;

  • Physiology of Human Body Systems
  • Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques
  • Chemistry for Biology Technicians

This course is vocational and it focuses on the use of science in scientific organisations and in organisations using science. The BTEC course can lead to a successful career in several fields e.g. working in a research laboratory in the development of new medical drugs, working with the forensic science services, working for a scientific magazine or journal. In addition, it can lead to studying science to a higher level at university.

The course provides a Pass, Merit and Distinction grade. Within the Applied Science course, work is assessed internally and is then verified. There are no exams to be marked externally. All of the work is portfolio based.

 

Business

This qualification is designed to appeal to students interested in a career in business or who wish to continue their studies in the subject. The four core units in the Subsidiary Diploma give learners an introduction to and an understanding of business environment, management of resources, marketing and communication: all fundamental to the success of business organisations.

Evidence for assessment may be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, workplace assessment, role play and oral presentations. Students are encouraged to carry out research and are expected to work independently and as part of a team. Business employers value employees who are able to communicate effectively both verbally and using electronic communication methods. The Business level 3 qualification provides opportunities for learners to develop their communication skills as they progress through the course.

  • Unit 1: The Business Environment
  • Unit 2: Business Resources
  • Unit 3: Introduction to Marketing
  • Unit 4: Business Communication
  • Unit 7: Management Accounting
  • Unit 36: Starting a Small Business

If students opt to study towards the Certificate (equivalent to 1 AS level), students will study units 1 and 2 and one other unit.

 

Engineering

The Edexcel specification is followed on this course. The Certificate takes one year to complete and is equivalent to one AS level. The Subsidiary Diploma follows in the second year and is equivalent to a full A level. The contents of the course are as follows:-

BTEC Level 3 Certificate

1 mandatory unit is completed in addition to 2 optional units to gain 30 credits at level 3. These units are;

  • Health and safety in the workplace
  • Properties and applications of engineering materials
  • Electrical and electronic properties

Subsidiary Diploma

3 optional units are completed to gain 30 credits at level 3. The units that we have chosen are;

  • Mathematics for technicians
  • Engineering drawing for technicians
  • Theory of flight

This course is vocational in context and focuses on the use of science in scientific organisations and in organisations using science. The BTEC course can lead to a successful career in several fields including; civil engineering; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; and a number of modern apprenticeships that rely on individuals with good mathematical, scientific and information technology skills. In addition, the course can lead to studying science to a higher level at university.

The course provides a Pass, Merit and Distinction grade which is assessed internally and is then verified. There are no examinations to be marked externally. All of the work is portfolio based.

Pupils accepted on the course will have succeeded in gaining a C or above in the separate sciences, a C or above in the GCSE Applied Science course or a Merit in the BTEC level 2 course. Furthermore, due to the mathematical nature of the course, it is expected that pupils will have achieved a B grade, or higher, at GCSE level.

 

Health & Social Care

The BTEC in Health and Social Care provide much of the underpinning knowledge for the National Occupational Standards in Health and Social Care/Health and consequently act as a robust introduction to both sectors. They prepare learners for employment in the sectors or for higher education. They are also mapped to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework, which was developed as part of the Agenda for Change process for updating the way NHS staff roles are defined and developed.

The specification lends itself to creative delivery, using learners’ work experience as the focal point and enabling learning to be as active, practical and work-related as possible. Alongside this, it provides robust opportunities for learners to gain knowledge and understanding of a wide range of subject areas relating to health and social care.

  • Unit 1: Developing effective communication
  • Unit 2: Equality Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care
  • Unit 3: Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care
  • Unit 4: Development Through the Life Stages
  • Unit 9: Values and Planning in Social Care
  • Unit 10: Caring for Children and Young People

 

Hospitality

Hospitality is an exciting and diverse industry offering opportunities for work in different situations all over the world. It provides food, drink and accommodation to travellers when away from home whether they are working or on holiday. We have all had the opportunity to make use of hospitality when eating out for a celebration, taking a day trip or holiday, or eating in a local café .There are a variety of skills to learn, such as cooking a meal, looking after the customers, planning and running a hospitality event, and many more. These skills can be used when working in international hotels, cruise ships and restaurants and can give you great job satisfaction, an interesting life and the chance to travel.

  • The Hospitality Industry
  • Principles of Supervising Customer Service Performance in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism
  • Providing Customer services
  • European Food (practical)
  • Contemporary world food (practical)
  • Events Organisation in Hospitality
  • Planning and Managing a Hospitality Event

 

Information Technology

In building on the work of Key Stage 4, this BTEC develops higher skills and understanding within the fields of ICT. It sets an important foundation for anyone interested in a career in IT or IT course at University or a similar institution. During the two years you will study the following six units:

  • Unit 1: Communication and Employability Skills for IT
  • Unit 2: Computer Systems
  • Unit 12: IT Technical Support
  • Unit 18: Database Design
  • Unit 42: Spreadsheets
  • Unit 22: Developing Computer Games

 

Travel & Tourism

The Travel and Tourism industry continues to grow at a rapid pace and this course provides students with the knowledge and understanding which could lead to a successful career in the industry or further study in this field.

There is a great demand for specific skills in the industry which include customer service skills, destination geography and business skills. This qualification enables students develop these essential skills. The course also allows students to focus on what interests them, for example: the European market and business operations.

  • Unit 1: Investigating Travel and Tourism
  • Unit 2: The Business of Travel and Tourism
  • Unit 3: The UK as a Destination
  • Unit 4: Customer Service in Travel and Tourism
  • Unit 6: Preparing for Employment in the Travel and Tourism Industry
  • Unit 7: The European Travel Market

If students opt to study towards the Certificate (equivalent to 1 AS level), students will study units 1 and 3 and one other unit.