Case studies

OCR were the first awarding body to develop 4 unit A Levels. A Level Law, Accounting and Critical Thinking have been available for teaching since September 2006.

We asked teachers to tell us about their experience of the change.

Case studies from:

Oldham Hulme Grammar School

The new OCR specification for A Level ICT will be ready for teaching from September 2008. It features a shift of emphasis, away from traditional computing and towards the practical skills needed for today's business world. Here we find out how one OCR centre is preparing for the changes.

Darren Ledson, Head of ICT at The Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools, has been teaching the subject for 12 years. His department teaches the current OCR specification at AS and A2, as well as the OCR GCSE ICT A.

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We've known about the new A Level ICT for some time," says Darren. "We've taken the change as an opportunity to see what's on offer from other awarding bodies, but have decided to stay with OCR."

The main reason for Darren's decision is the clarity of the OCR specification.

"Everything's written in a very straightforward way," he explains. "It seems we'll have a pretty seamless transition from the old specification to the new. It's easy to follow, with no hidden details – and the increased focus on real-life problem solving will make it very enjoyable to teach."

Another crucial factor for Darren when choosing OCR is the support he and his colleagues can expect. "There's always someone at the end of the phone if we have any questions, and the INSET training we get from OCR is first class."

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I think OCR has done a great job of making the course content relevant to the modern commercial world. This practical aspect means the qualification will be really satisfying for both teachers and students."

Most importantly, having gained this qualification, Darren's students will have the business ICT skills and knowledge to impress today's employers.

For more information on OCR A Level ICT, call 01223 553998 or email general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk.

Case Study - Portsmouth College

OCR's revised A Level in Critical Thinking builds on eight years experience as it is the only awarding body to offer this fascinating and rewarding course. Portsmouth College offers a great success story, where the Critical Thinking course won 'The Good Schools Guide Award for best result at A Level in any English school'.

Teacher Steve Fitzgerald believes the main reason his college won the award is the importance Critical Thinking has had on the syllabus.

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We treat this course with the same regard as any other A Level," he explains. "We definitely don't see it as an easy option. It's a demanding course, which really stretches our students and helps improve their other subjects."

A major difference between Critical Thinking and most other A Levels is its emphasis on developing skills rather than academic knowledge. "The course teaches essential life skills you can use in almost any situation," continues Steve. "Students learn how to think, not what to think. We show them how to make decisions independently for themselves, and not simply take on the opinions of others."

Practice makes perfect

Specific subject matter is almost irrelevant in Steve's classes. "It's the way students analyse and evaluate arguments that counts – not what they're arguing about. With Critical Thinking, it's vital to practise. Like driving a car, you have to know you can do it in any circumstances, on any day.” Steve regularly divides his students into three teams: one to argue for an issue, one to argue against it, and one to judge the outcome. Topics range from serious issues such as the death penalty and euthanasia to light-hearted questions such as, "Is The Simpsons better than South Park?"

So the key to teaching Critical Thinking is to develop intellectual powers through practical exercises as well as written work. OCR has designed the A Level to give teachers the flexibility to do this. "There's a definite structure to the course," says Steve, "but I've been able to create variety within it – and to encourage my students to contribute their own ideas, which makes the experience even more satisfying for them."

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...I encourage my students to contribute their own ideas, which makes the experience even more satisfying for them."

Looking ahead

As a relatively new A Level subject, Critical Thinking is still evolving – and Steve hopes his success will play a part in raising awareness of how this OCR course can build a range of abilities. "It's wonderful to see students' confidence grow so quickly, and of course I'm delighted by their terrific examination achievements. I really want to help build the subject's credibility – I genuinely believe all students should study Critical Thinking."

Case Study - Truro College

Andrew Shepherd, Lecturer in Law at Truro College, has been teaching OCR A Level Law for over ten years. When the number of units in the qualification went down from six to four in September 2006, he welcomed the change. Here he explains why.

"In terms of assessment, four units is much more manageable than six. We can now teach to each exam; from September to December, we're working towards the January exams, and from February, we're focused on June. It's a more rational way of working, with less need for revision."

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...students become better prepared for their future careers. And with fewer exams, they're much less stressed!"

"Most importantly, the reduction in assessment leaves more time for teaching. We can help our students gain a broader, more rounded education - for example, I've recently been organising a mock trial. Through exercises like this, students become better prepared for their future careers. And with fewer exams, they're much less stressed!"

"While making the change from six to four units, OCR has taken the opportunity to balance out some of the course content. This makes a lot of sense, especially removing some elements of the Criminal Law module. We also now have some new types of assessment - such as the 'dilemma board' questions - which suit a wider variety of learning styles."

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...the OCR INSET training dealt with all our questions and allayed any fears - and I came away with a clear idea of what was happening with the syllabus."

"Before we started teaching the new specification, there were naturally some misgivings about the changes. But the OCR INSET training dealt with all our questions and allayed any fears - and I came away with a clear idea of what was happening with the syllabus. Now I'm well into my first year of teaching the new A Level, and I feel very positive about it. My students certainly seem to prefer it, and I know they'll benefit from it."

Case Study - Worthing College

OCR A Level Law was one of the first to change from six to four units, in September 2006. Tim Westcott, Programme Team Leader for Law and Public Services, had been teaching the qualification at Worthing College for 14 years before the recent changes took place. Here he tells us how the new A Levels are affecting both himself and his students.

"With fewer exams to take, our students find the A Levels less threatening, and generally seem to have a more positive attitude towards them. One fewer topic at A2 has reduced the pressure even further. Also, there's now greater choice in AS paper 1 and A2 paper 1, and we all welcome this."

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...students who find it more difficult to learn cases can still demonstrate their understanding of the law.

"Another improvement we've found is the accessible question format in the new AS paper 1. This 'dilemma board' style of questions means students who find it more difficult to learn cases can still demonstrate their understanding of the law."

"From a teaching point of view, we've had to make a few changes to accommodate the new A Levels. We've restructured the year to adapt to a different pattern of exams in January and June - and due to the new question format, we've increased the focus on AO2 skills at AS."

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...the way the topics are combined in the new specification makes sense."

It's been useful to discuss the challenges of the new specification with teachers from other colleges. One of my team had this opportunity when attending OCR INSET training - there was a wide range of teachers there, and it was helpful to share experiences.

"Overall, the changes are working well at AS. We're still getting to grips with the larger A2: students have to learn a fair bit more for this now, but it's good that they have longer to mature before they sit the paper. Also the way the topics are combined in the new specification makes sense - splitting them between two papers was quite artificial, and we can now take a more holistic approach."