BTEC First Diploma in Information and Communication Technology

In 1990 Kirkby College of Further Education, which was founded some fifty years ago, merged with Knowsley Central Tertiary College to form Knowsley Community College, a national leader in education, having attained Beacon College Status. It has developed solid ties with the larger Knowsley and Merseyside community, having expanded to three centres, two high street learning shops and offering courses in over 200 community outreach centres.Today Knowsley Community College is one of the largest providers of further education in the country, with over 12,000 school leavers and adults, choosing to study at Knowsley Community College each year. The College maintains a very successful range of vocational courses, ranging from work-based learning programmes and apprenticeships, through to BTEC National Diplomas, and the New Diplomas, which bridge the divide between vocational and academic education. The very popular Roby Sixth Form College is part of the overall institution of Knowsley Community College, and caters for students wishing to study for A Levels, GCSEs and a selection of courses in Performing Arts and Music, Sports and Public Services, Art and Design, and Media. KCC has also developed a portfolio of nine successful Foundation Degrees courses, which have already produced some outstandingly well qualified graduates. The College has a dedicated Pre-Foundation Section offering tailored courses for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, and also strives to integrate learners into mainstream provision whenever appropriate.In addition to all of this activity and provision the College has an energetic Employer Response team who, through the training arm known as Knowsley Associates, deliver a wide range of training to local, national and international businesses under the Train to Gain initiative, and via unionlearn and other links with industry. For three years running Knowsley Associates has been acknowledged as the largest provider nationally for the TU Hub, under the umbrella of the Digital Divide, helping to break down the barriers associated with online learning.The College's involvement with the acclaimed 14-19 Knowsley Collegiate strengthens its commitment to engaging the community in lifelong learning. The innovative programme, based at the college's Kirkby centre, is a joint effort with Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, several partner schools and key local employers. The Collegiate is designed to introduce vocational-related study options earlier into the traditional academic programme to enable young students to make informed decisions about their direction in education and training.Knowsley Community College received an outstanding accolade from Ofsted in its recent report (April 2008) for its wide-ranging social and educational inclusion, and good grades all-round for its teaching and learning, including special mention of the College's Award-winning 14 - 16 year old Collegiate provision."Social and educational inclusion are outstanding. The promotion of equality of opportunity is excellent. Arrangements to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity are outstanding."The College's key strengths were summarised in the report as follows: * innovative and responsive action to benefit the College and community * excellent partnership arrangements * good teaching, learning and support * very good 14-16 provision * outstanding social and educational inclusion * highly effective teamwork and communication * strong strategic leadership