General National Vocational Qualifications or GNVQ's are part of the new national framework of vocational qualifications. They are for post-16 students in full time education and offer an alternative route for students to gain employment or places at university. GNVQ is not to be regarded as an easier route into higher education but as an alternative for some students better suited to the different study skills required.

The GNVQ Advanced Course is equivalent to studying 2 A Levels. It is important that students consider following an A Level in addition to the GNVQ programme.

GNVQ's are assessed initially by the teacher, these marks are then moderated by the school's internal assessor and ultimately by an external assessor.

Each student will complete at least fifteen units of work:

These units are assessed by tests set by the awarding body and by the submission of a portfolio of work. There are three dates each year when the tests may be taken, and failed tests can be retaken.

Students need to pass all the units to be awarded with a GNVQ Advanced certificate.

A GNVQ will allow you to progress to University in the same manner as traditional A Level passes. In 1994, 85% of GNVQ applicants received at least one offer, compared to 76% to A Level candidates. However, some courses are less likely to accept GNVQ and as such you are advised to talk to the school's GNVQ co-ordinator, Mr Burney or Head of Sixth Form, Mr Waltho before making your choice.

Entry to the GNVQ Advanced Course is a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C.

All our GNVQ students last year received an offer of a University place and entered a degree course in October 1998 in areas related to either leisure, tourism, travel or business.

The course runs for two years and is the equivalent of two traditional A Level passes.

Course Content

You will study eight MANDATORY (compulsory) units:

Investigating the Leisure and Tourism Industry

Maintaining Health, Safety and Security

Providing Customer Service

Marketing for Leisure and Tourism

Planning for an event

Providing Management Information Services

Human Resources in Leisure and Tourism

Finance in the industry

 

You will also study four option units from the list on the next page

The programme develops KEY SKILLS in communication, application of number and Information Technology.

Assessment

The programme is taught and assessed using a variety of methods. These may include projects, assignments, case studies and coursework. Students will develop and manage a portfolio of work to provide evidence of their achievements. There will also be external written tests for each mandatory unit (these tests can be taken at various times of the year and repeated if necessary).

Career Progression

GNVQ Leisure and Tourism will prepare you for a range of jobs in both the public and private sectors, in places such as art centres, conference centres, leisure centres, hotels, theme parks, tour operators, travel agents and transport operators. To gain entrance at a management level in these or other associate areas you could gain entrance to a university course which offers courses related to the GNVQ qualification and enter your chosen career as a graduate.