Leisure & Tourism GCSE (Double Award)

LEISURE & TOURISM GCSE (Double Award)

WHAT IS LEISURE & TOURISM?
Students who elect to take this qualification will gain an understanding of the important role that a service industry such as tourism, leisure and recreation has to play in society today. The work you will be involved with will be both academic and practical. Some may say you have many opportunities to demonstrate your `talents' and successfully complete the award. You will be studying 2 units or subject areas for a single award, and 4 units for a double award.
These cover various aspects that are important to the industry.
WHY SHOULD I STUDY LEISURE & TOURISM?
The course is designed for those people who feel they might like to work in the travel and tourism industry either in the UK or overseas. It is also suitable for those who feel they might like to follow a career in the Sports, Leisure and Recreation Industry. The course is also relevant to those who wish to progress to GCE Advanced Level Courses. The activities you will be involved with will be working in small groups and independently to help you develop your ability and confidence.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
The college and the course are looking for enthusiastic students who are prepared to participate in all activities. They should be willing to co-operate and work to timeframes and have a lively and enquiring mind.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
The course is available as a Single Award studying 2 units or as a Double award studying 4 units.

Single Award Units:

Unit 1: Understanding the Leisure and Tourism Industries (external exam)

This will involve you researching the types of things people like to do, and where they go in their spare time. Not just going on holidays or watching TV or listening to music but many more activities that keep people occupied. The rapid pace of change within the industry
in terms of organisation that provide products and services together with changing fashions reflecting the choice of destinations for different types of visitor will be explored.

Unit 2: Moving forward in Leisure and Tourism (Controlled Assessment)

This unit investigates different types of organisations and examines where and how people fill in their leisure time and the reason why they use leisure and tourism facilities.
We also investigate how promotions and sales operate within the industry, and also examine the importance of operating within a sustainable way, and how the impacts of leisure and tourism activities impact on communities and environments.

Double award units include the two described above as well as:

3: Working in the leisure and tourism industry (External Exam)

This is an opportunity to research employment opportunities across a wide range of businesses both in the UK and internationally, and identify the requirements and stages involved in the application and recruitment process for employment.

4: Meeting customer needs in the leisure and tourism industries (Controlled Assessment)

All businesses rely on people to buy or use their products and they in turn expect a courteous service delivered by enthusiastic staff. You will have the opportunity to put this into practice by dealing with customer situations and demonstrating your skills and understanding in identifying the needs of different types of customers, and the factors that influence their choices in leisure and holiday activities in destinations both in the UK and overseas.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Units one and three are assessed by a one and a half hour external exam to be taken in June. Units two and four by a controlled timed assignment that are assessed internally then sent for external moderation in May.

COURSE COMMITMENT
The course lasts for one academic year with either 4.5 hours taught lessons per week for a single award or nine hours taught sessions for a double award.
Students will be required to complete tasks outside of class in workshops, private study periods and at home in order to complete the required coursework. Students will be asked to sign a departmental commitment form that sets out the expectations of the department detailing a two way agreement between staff and students based on hard work and dedication to the team ethos of the department.

COURSE COSTS
Students visit, on average, 5 6 Leisure & Tourist businesses each year, which usually costs around 50 in total.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
There are opportunities to enter employment or training in
Leisure Centres, Fitness Training and Instruction, Travel Sales Staff, Tour Operator Staff, Overseas Resort Staff, Airline Cabin Crew, Hotel Staff and Visitor Heritage Attraction staff. A large number of students opt to stay at college and progress to the Applied AS/A levels in Business, Leisure Studies and Travel & Tourism. Accompanied by subjects such as GCSEs in Modern Languages students then have the option to pursue additional studies such as the CSLA, First Aid, Air Cabin Crew and Resort Representative qualifications.