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What is the Level 2 Programme like?The Level 2 Programme at Carmel College has been designed to offer students a secondopportunity to gain the basic qualifications they need as a pathway to “A” Level courses hereat Carmel or elsewhere, or as a pathway to employment, training or to vocational courseslinked to a specific career. The course provides the opportunity to retake some GCSEsubjects with the aim of gaining at least a “C” grade, which is the minimum grade usuallyaccepted by employers. In addition, there is a range of new subjects to add more challengeand variety to the programme.

Some students are allowed to study an “AS” subject in addition to their Level 2 programme,but this is only in cases where the student has shown a genuine talent by achieving a verygood grade in the GCSE examinations. A skills assessment is carried out at the start of theautumn term in English and Maths and, where appropriate, a place is offered on a Numeracyor Literacy course.

New for 2010!

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

You will choose your programme of studydepending on the GCSE results you gain. Ifyou have not achieved at least a “C” gradein English Language and Maths, you arestrongly recommended to retake both ofthese subjects, as many employers regardthem as vital qualifications, when recruitingstaff.

If the chance of achieving a good passgrade seems very remote, or even highlyunlikely, you will have the opportunity tofollow a Numeracy and/or Literacy course atLevel 1 or 2, to ensure that you gain acreditable, recognised qualification in thesetwo key areas.

We currently offer the following courses:

• GCSE Maths

• Numeracy (Levels 1 & 2)

• GCSE English Language

• Literacy (Levels 1 & 2)

• GCSE Science

• BTEC Certificate in BusinessSpecialist topics include customer service, personal and business finance, bookkeeping, business administration, office systems, online business, enterprise, marketing and consumer rights.

• BTEC Certificate in Creative Media Production. This course allows you to develop the research skills involved in all media production and gives an insight into various employment opportunities.

Units may include interactive mediaproduction, animation techniques andadvertising production.

• BTEC Certificate in I.T.This option offers units in practical ICT skills such as installing software, setting up an I.T. network, database systems, website development, business IT skills and doing business online.

The specific combination is agreed with youwhen your GCSE grades are known.

WHERE DOES THE LEVEL 2PROGRAMME LEAD?

Throughout the course much guidance isprovided and you will be encouraged toresearch the different alternatives available.Many students opt to apply to continue theirstudies at Carmel. If this is the case, thestudent is interviewed and a place may beoffered, on condition the student achievesGCSE grades that are good enough toallow for progression to an “A” Levelprogramme of study.

Other students decide that a better route forthem to follow is to take up a training courseor apprenticeship in a specific career area.If this is the case, there are support systemsin place to help the student through theapplication process and to help themprepare for interview. Other students decidethat it is time for them to seek permanentemployment. Here again, the student canexpect help and impartial guidance whenpursuing this goal.

LLeevveell 22 Programme

What support will I receive?Your Personal Tutor is responsible for all aspects of the Level 2 Programme. This personwill watch over you during the one-year course and will liaise with all subject tutors toensure that subject targets are being met, that homework is being completed to therequired standard, that all lessons are attended and that you are making the progress youshould be making.

Pam Milligan is the Aimhigher Officer who will provide a range of additional study supporton a one-to-one basis or to the group as a whole.

JOEL UNSWORTH

Home Educated

Studying: Level 2 Literacy, GCSEICT, GCSE Maths

Level 2 teaches you the basics thatyou need in order to follow on tohigher education. As well asstudying you can also do otheractivities and go on lots of trips atCarmel. I have taken guitar forEnrichment and I’ve been on a tripto Cadbury World. Carmel is areally friendly environment whereyou can meet lots of new peopleand the teachers are verysupportive. I hope to do an A’ Levelcourse after I complete my Level 2.

meet thestudentsmeet thestudents

What support will I receive?We work closely with Connexions and many other external agencies, to ensure that theright kind of advice about employment and training is provided. You can expect to getadditional study support from all your subject tutors if you have any problems withhomework tasks you receive. We can also provide you with help to improve study skills,essay writing techniques, examination preparation and organisational skills.

In short, we are willing to provide whatever support you, or we, think is necessary to helpyou gain the grades you desire to lead on to the next stage of your career.

SUPPOSE I DO REALLY BADLY INMY GCSE EXAMS?

We ask that you have a minimum of 2Grade “D” GCSE examinations to embarkon the Level 2 programme.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A TOPGRADE IN ONE GCSE?

We have allowed students to do a mixedcourse, enabling them to take an “AS”course in the subject in which they have atrue talent.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GETSTUCK DOING HOMEWORK?

That’s easy. Speak to your subject tutor.Show them what you have tried. You willget extra help from them. You may alsowish to contact any of the support tutorswho are able to offer assistance in all theLevel 2 subjects we provide.

WHAT IF I GET INTO A MESS WITHALL MY SUBJECTS?

Again, that’s easy. Speak to your PersonalTutor. There’s no problem or issue we don’tknow about. We believe that all problemscan be overcome once the right solutionhas been found.

LUCY BARNES

St Cuthbert’s

Studying:GCSE ICT (Dual Award),GCSE Maths, GCSE Science

I love the atmosphere in all myclasses. The teachers are friendlyand helpful and never refuse to helpwith anything. I know there aretutorials available if I find myselfstruggling with certain subjects.You get more freedom at collegeand everyone is here to study whichcreates a positive atmosphere. I’vemet some amazing people atCarmel, friends and tutors. So farthe highlight of studying at Carmelwas getting a grade A in my ICTexam. It felt good to know that allmy hard work had paid off!

meet thestudentsmeet thestudents

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information?If you think there is a possibility that your GCSE grades will not be good enough, forwhatever reason, to enable you to progress onto an “AS” course, then you shouldseriously consider the Level 2 Programme. Simply contact Carmel College and ask foran appointment to discuss your circumstances.

SUPPOSE THERE ARE PROBLEMSIN MY LIFE OUTSIDE COLLEGE?

If they are having an effect on your work atcollege, you should speak about them.Youwill find your Personal Tutor and all yoursubject tutors good listeners, who can offergood advice on many matters.

WILL I BE ABLE TO MIX WITHFRIENDS DOING OTHERCOURSES?

Yes, you will. There will be plenty ofopportunities to socialise in college. There are activities open to all students,regardless of the programme they arefollowing.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AGAP IN MY LESSONS DURING THEDAY?

As long as your work and homework are up-to-date and completed to the standardrequired, you are free to use any extra timein college as you will. There are alwaysplenty of computers for you to use, either toword process assignments or to carry outresearch on the Internet for a specificsubject. There are newspapers andmagazines for you to read in the Library.You can try out some of the equipment inthe college gym. You can spend a littlequiet time in the Chaplaincy. You may evenfind the time to socialise with friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact UsContact Us

Admissions Department Carmel College Prescot Road St Helens Merseyside WA10 3AG

Tel: 01744 452214 or 01744 452212Email: admissions@carmel.ac.uk

www.carmel.ac.uk