Travel and Tourism

Intent

The qualification provides an introduction to the world of travel and tourism giving pupils the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. Pupils will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including accommodation, tourism development and promotion, transport and visitor attractions. They will investigate the importance of the travel and tourism sector to the UK, and investigate different types of customer and UK destinations.

Pupils will also have the opportunity to study international travel and tourism and develop key skills, such as research, report drafting and writing skills and project management. They will study the following three mandatory units, covering the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to work in the industry:

 UK travel and tourism sector

• UK travel and tourism destinations
• the travel and tourism customer experience

 Implementation

Pupils find it very difficult to learn with understanding from tasks which have no meaning that is apparent to them. They learn more effectively when they can link new experiences to what they already know and are motivated by curiosity to answer questions. All pupils have had experience of the Travel and Tourism industry at some time, either through visits to restaurants, days out with families, school trips or on holidays. Activities should therefore enable pupils to engage with real situations and with real issues.

Assessment

There are three mandatory units. Each unit is assessed via the following method:

• Unit 1: The UK Travel and Tourism Sector (Externally assessed through a 75 minute exam paper worth 60 marks)
• Unit 2: UK Travel and Tourism Destinations (internally assessed using a chosen assessment outline suggested by the exam board)
• Unit 3: The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience (Internal Synoptic assessment using a chosen assessment outline suggested by the exam board )
• This is followed by ONE optional specialist unit, which could be either:
• Unit 4: International Travel and Tourism Destinations (Internally assessed using a chosen assessment outline suggested by the exam board )
• Unit 5: Factors affecting Worldwide Travel and Tourism (internally assessed using a chosen assessment outline suggested by the exam board)

Classroom assessment takes place throughout the course in the form of a topic test which is completed at the end of each Unit Topic.

 Pupils can gain a Level 1/Level 2 Pass, Level 2 Merit or Level 2 Distinction.

Impact

Pupils’ progress is evaluated using their baseline upon entry to the academy and the progress they actually make. This allows necessary intervention to be put in place in order to give pupils the best chance of obtaining their expected outcomes. S this academic year will be the first cohort through the exam, a review of its appropriateness, evaluated against the exam board choices, will be made next academic year.

Cross-curricular Links

Pupils will be working towards English and mathematics qualifications at Key Stage 4. This BTEC First qualification provides further opportunity to enhance and reinforce skills in English and mathematics in naturally occurring, relevant, work-related contexts. English and mathematical skills are embedded in the assessment criteria.

Vocabulary

In all aspect of the study of Travel and Tourism, it is vitally important that pupils are able to express their views and ideas in a clear and grammatically correct manner.  Good literacy is necessary to understand, respond to, and use a range of specialist language to describe the concepts and ideas relating to the world of Travel and Tourism and to represent and communicate ideas and this is common to all areas of the curriculum.

Events/ people/ places

Travel and Tourism involves the study of places around the world, as well as different groups of people around the world. This study gives pupils a greater understanding of the world and cultures around them, and allows the study of people, places and events from different angles, and means they can put these various issues into perspective in relation to each other.

Concepts

It is essential that pupils become thinkers and problem solvers, not just memorisers of facts. Travel and Tourism can help pupils to do this. These are skills that are applicable to all areas. Learned concepts can be applied in other areas of the curriculum e.g. pupils can identify aspects of ecology and environmental issues in Science and world events and places in History, as well as developing Empathy and communication skills in History.

Procedures

Many procedures in Travel and Tourism are common to all aspects of the curriculum. These include: Child Protection, Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Data sharing. In- house training as well CPD courses ensure that that these procedures are consistent throughout the curriculum.

Careers